Festival organisers stage a major international festival every second year, with a regional event on alternate years, and funds earmarked to support the mid-winter event in the Long Term Council Community Plan.
"We would class it as a very successful event - it's certainly got an international reputation," she said yesterday.
Council marketing and communications agency manager Debra Simes, who helped prepare the Draft Dunedin Festivals and Events Strategy, told the Otago Daily Times in February that events which had potential to become national or international drawcards were likely to receive more funds under the proposed draft strategy.
However, small "community" events seen as having little potential for growth could have funding reduced, and would be encouraged to apply for funds under a separate community grants scheme.
Dame Elizabeth, who has been made a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand for her science communication work, said that developing the draft strategy, to encourage better overall planning and co-ordination, was a "good idea".
The 35-page draft strategy report also proposes establishing an "events steering group" to decide how funding will be allocated.
A proposed "vision" suggests Dunedin adopt "a planned calendar of festivals and events that entertains, encourages participation, celebrates its people and showcases the city's natural and built environment, which, as a result, attracts tourists".
Dame Elizabeth said this vision "needs a bit of tweaking", as it gave too much emphasis to the natural and built environment and to tourism and not enough emphasis to Dunedin's standing as as a centre of educational excellence, as home to the country's first university, and as a "city of science".
The international science festival was the main event in Dunedin which also showcased the high-quality research being undertaken at the University of Otago, and emphasised the "city of science" reputation, she said.
The science festival's future as a Dunedin event should not be taken for granted.
"There's no immediate threat, but if the city [council] doesn't sort out this event strategy properly, there could be a threat to it," she warned.
Some other centres, including Palmerston North, would like to host an international science event, and she hoped the strategy document could be modified to enable the festival to remain in Dunedin and thrive in the city.
