However, Dunedin City Council acting group transport manager Richard Saunders said there was no plan for that money in the council’s budget for the coming financial year.
Any budget would be finalised in the council’s long-term plan next year.
The project is a collaboration between the council, University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic. Its emphasis is on improving the streetscape of the area, and its pedestrian and cycling routes.
A report on safety and access issues, investment options and approaches to improving the character of the tertiary area was completed by Chow Hill and Flow Transportation in 2014. Sections of Albany St, Clyde St, Union St East and Harbour Tce were identified as priorities.
The upgrade would focus on improved pedestrian and cycling access, establishing the tertiary area as a destination not a through route and the creation of track networks between tertiary campuses, central city, the harbour and Water of Leith.
Councillors will discuss an update of the plan at next week’s meeting.
The draft report estimated ‘‘medium investment level’’ street changes would cost from $5 million-$7 million.
Design costs and project management was likely to cost a further $300,000.
Council acting transport group manager Richard Saunders said there were ‘‘different ways in which costs could be split’’ across design, project management, construction and maintenance.
There was money in existing budgets for minor improvements needed in the area.
Otago Polytechnic had provisionally set aside $1.5 million in its 10-year capital budget plan for the project and the University of Otago’s support of the project was evident in previous contributions, the report said.
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DCC are planning a 2.99% rate rise and Mr Cull warned yesterday that additional money would need to be found for new projects. Many ratepayers are NOT receiving income increases of 3% per year.
Vanity projects such as this should just be canned. Dunedin needs to live within its means. If the university and polytech want to spend up then let them. Ratepayers shouldn't be further impacted. Particularly when the projects primary aims are to make it more difficult for normal Dunedin residents to access the university campus and environs.
You have it backwards Keith : improving pedestrian and cycle access would make it easier and safer for normal Dunedin residents to get around campus. Your definition of normal might differ from mine ... but who do you 'normally' see around this area?
AJ, totally disagree. The article says "establishing the tertiary area as a destination not a through route". So for normal Dunedin citzens who need to travel from A to B, the entire campus areas are being turned into a road block. Great if you happen to be able to ride a bike or just want to go a short distance to the university, but ridiculous for eveyone else.