The Dunedin City Council is split over whether to relaunch a campaign to fight cuts to the city’s new hospital.
The councillors are united in their opposition to the further cuts revealed by the Otago Daily Times but at least four said it was too early to restart its They Save We Pay campaign.
Others said the campaign should have been relaunched some time ago and said it was time to take the fight to the government.
Before the photo shoot, Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said in a statement "any facility or service cuts at this stage in the project would only deliver a false economy, and the people of Dunedin and the lower South Island would pay the price".
“We’re all very concerned by recent media reports cuts may be coming. As yet, no proposal has been put forward for consultation but already clinicians have spoken up in alarm at the possibility.”
However, Mr Radich said it was not yet time to revive the campaign, as the cuts had not been established.
Everyone could have an opinion, he said, but the councillors in favour of reviving the campaign did "not know what they're protesting yet".
"This government is very concerned about infrastructure, so it’s important they build the hospital to the extent that has been determined through the many consultations."
Cr Steve Walker said before the photo shoot it was "well past time" to restart the They Save We Pay campaign.
"If the mayor doesn't do anything about it, I think there will be a few of us who would be keen to pick up the baton."
It was "last chance saloon" for Mr Radich, Cr Walker said.
"He’s elected to serve the people. This one is on him."
Cr Jim O’Malley said the councillors’ decision to appear for yesterday’s photo shoot should be considered a "warning shot" to government.
"We're so concerned about these leaked changes — if they don't go ahead with them that’s fine, they were just spitballing. But these proposals are so inconsistent with what we were promised."
Cr Sophie Barker said the campaign needed to be revived, and Crs Christine Garey and Mandy Mayhem agreed.
"We need to be very direct with the government", Cr Mayhem said.
Cr David Benson-Pope said in an email to Mr Radich, "It's apparent to all that not only are the previous promises not being honoured, but further dangerous cuts are not being stopped by your political friends.
"Commitment and leadership [are] needed just now, and it's on you."
But Crs Kevin Gilbert, Bill Acklin, Andrew Whiley, and deputy mayor Cherry Lucas were all waiting for more facts before the campaign was revived.
"I think we can only have influence and effect if we’re working on the facts. Then the government will listen to our voice based on that", Ms Lucas said.
Cr Carmen Houlahan said the campaign should start if the cuts were going ahead.
"Please government, keep your promise and give us the hospital we deserve."
Cr Brent Weatherall said he did not think the campaign ever ended.
"We still fit our T-shirts and we’re still wanting to keep the pressure on."
