Councillors voted in favour of a motion that stressed the importance of the DCC collaborating with the Otago Regional Council, which is leading the proposal, and how important having a ``well-designed, strategically located bus hub'' is for the future of the city.
However, part of the motion expressing concern about the proposed Great King St location and design of the hub was watered down after Cr John Bezett argued the original motion was too ``aggressive''.
This comes after ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead said he was disappointed with the motion, tabled by Crs Jinty MacTavish and David Benson-Pope, and disputed any suggestion there had been a lack of co-operation.
Cr MacTavish highlighted the importance of the getting the design and location of the hub right the first time.
``I think when you look at any of the truly great small cities of the world, I think there is one effectively defining feature of them, and that is that they have extremely functional public transport systems.''
It was time for both councils to take a ``step back'' and work together to consider the bigger picture and longer term ``before making any decisions''.
This bigger picture included wider developments in the city, which included the Dunedin Hospital rebuild and the council's central city plan.
She and Cr Aaron Hawkins were concerned the bus hub was being planned taking into account current use of the bus service.
``My argument, and the reason I have tabled this motion today, is that the very nature of the bus hub will be fundamental in determining whether this patronage grows.''
She earlier said she was disappointed with yesterday's coverage in the Otago Daily Times, saying the motion ``specifically did not criticise the ORC''.
``It does raise some concerns about the bus hub in its current location and design, but it was not intended to be a criticism of their process to date.''
Cr MacTavish did not return calls requesting comment for yesterday's story.
Cr Kate Wilson said the council was not taking an ``aggressive approach'' and was instead offering an ``olive branch'' to work with the ORC.
However, she believed that, in hindsight, the level of public consultation over the location lacked ``rigour''.
Cr Noone modified the motion to make it more ``embracing''.
``I think the best way to achieve ... an outcome that suits both councils is that we have the olive branch and maybe the branch there at the moment hasn't quite got the olive feel about it.''
Mayor Dave Cull said the Great King St site could well be the best one, but developments in the CBD and North Dunedin had ``overtaken planning''.
The Dunedin Hospital rebuild and changing demand for medical services was particularly important, he said.
``What this set of resolutions is suggesting is we need to take account of that change and dynamism and all step back and consider how best to optimise the synergies that are potentially there.''
As a result of the motion being passed, Mayor Cull will approach the ORC to discuss the issue at a ``governance level''.
Cr Aaron Hawkins said the ORC's plans were ``very passive'', rather than looking at a hub that would encourage more people to use public transport.
``The regional council aren't particularly interested in transformational change.''
This had come across in the city's ageing bus fleet and the proposed bus hub.
Cr Lee Vandervis voted against parts of the notice of motion, saying there was not enough information about the bus hub to come to a conclusion.
