A plan to build an artificial turf at Logan Park and develop a new Maori consultation model have not found favour with people answering a questionnaire on the Dunedin City Council's draft long-term budget.
The questionnaire's results will inform councillors during their deliberations and decision making on the budget, which begin today.
Just over 500 of the 1024 people who made submissions on the draft annual and long-term budgets filled out a new questionnaire on the latter that asked their opinions on 10 new projects included in the budget, which other projects should stay in the budget, and faster repayment of Forsyth Barr Stadium debt.
A council staff summary of the responses found most wanted the council to drop the $80,000 development of a new Maori consultation model and the installation of a $1.1 million artificial turf at Logan Park.
Most were in favour of retaining the eight other new projects - the redevelopment of Blueskin Bay Library, reopening the Caversham tunnel, developing an energy plan, fixing Ocean Beach erosion, fixing the St Clair sea wall, ramp and steps, the first stage of a new strategic cycle network, targeted rates for earthquake strengthening, and eco-housing retro-fitting.
Of the projects reduced, delayed or removed from the draft budget, respondents favoured keeping in the budget money for road safety improvements, further development of the strategic cycling network and stormwater system improvements over installing 24-hour toilets in the Octagon, upgrading swimming pools, funding the Fifa under-20 World Cup, the Logan Park redevelopment or the plan to change the heritage warehouse precinct traffic flow plan.
Most respondents said they were prepared to pay to reduce the stadium loan faster.
