- SUBSCRIBER: Flood-risk options to go to DCC
Work to "effect a system reconfiguration" could start in 2027-28 and be completed by 2033-34, it was stated in a Dunedin City Council agenda for a meeting this week.
This would involve having two large-diameter pipelines splitting the South Dunedin stormwater catchment area into two, smaller, more manageable areas, a report for councillors said.
"Preliminary assessments suggest this option is the most likely Three Waters infrastructure option to alleviate mid-term flood risk (10-30 years) in South Dunedin."
The task envisaged has emerged from work on the South Dunedin Future adaptation plan, due to be implemented from 2027.
The council described "mid-scale investments" in Three Waters infrastructure for the medium term that would start after completion of the adaptation plan.
As things stand, $32.5m of new capital has been included in 2025-34 long-term plan draft budgets for flood alleviation in South Dunedin.
Capital expenditure would ramp up in 2027-28, the report said.
"These details are subject to change, based on the outcomes of the South Dunedin adaptation plan, and more detailed modelling and design work."