Cr Jim O’Malley said it would be an effective response that was cost-efficient in the long run.
"If we wait 30 years and do it then, 20 years and do it then, it’s going to be so expensive," he said.
The Dunedin City Council learned earlier this year its bid for $132.5 million from the Treasury’s National Resilience Plan to buy at-risk properties or sites to convert into flood mitigation systems in the suburb would not go ahead.
"I think it’s worth coming back a second time to say ‘let’s have another look at this, please’," Cr O’Malley said.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said in August the government should expect another pitch for its help to shore up South Dunedin’s future.
However, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was unaware of the South Dunedin Future acquisition scheme when he visited Dunedin on Monday after last week’s flooding.
Taieri MP Ingrid Leary said this was unbelievable.
The government did not appear to be greatly interested in the South, nor in getting ahead of climate change, she said.
Otago regional councillor Bryan Scott said central government had dropped the ball.
"The potentially cost-neutral opportunity to purchase and rent flood-risk properties in the short term is too good not to be seriously considered."
Cr Andrew Whiley said it should now be easier for the South Dunedin Future programme to get engagement with the government.
"I would be quite surprised if the current government is not now fully aware of South Dunedin and the challenges it faces."
