Without a budget the proposed pedestrian-only trials for Dunedin’s city centre could amount to nothing, a city council councillor says.
Further pedestrian trials in the Octagon and lower Stuart St and a budget to support them will be considered during deliberations on the Dunedin City Council’s 10-year plan later this month.
About $60,000 was spent on the five-day Octagon experience over Easter and a further $150,0000 has been earmarked to support further pedestrian trials during the next two years. But Cr Aaron Hawkins said the money was just a starting point for a discussion and the amount could increase or decrease and be supported by other council budgets as the programme developed. A specific budget for the trials was needed to make sure they happened, Cr Hawkins said.
‘‘We’ve been talking about it for years, but nothing’s happened, so this is a debate to ensure we get some action on it.’’
People had seen how vibrant the city was during Ed Sheeran weekend and the council needed to explore different options at different times of the year, he said.
More than 600 people had given feedback on the five-day closure of the Octagon and the lower Stuart St.
Most most of it had been positive.
Council urban design team leader Crystal Filep said of the $60,000 spent on the Octagon experience about half was used to buy street furniture and other items which could be used again.
About half of the total cost could be considered a longer-term investment rather than a one-off expenditure, Dr Filep said. If councillors approved the funding for the trials then council staff would consider exactly what the trials could look like, she said.
Dr Filep said she was not able provide further details on the trials until after councillors had made a decision.
