Lack of funding for Leith work came as a surprise

Plans to turn the Water of Leith in Dunedin’s tertiary precinct into a natural stream never had the financial backing of the Otago Regional Council.

But the lack of funding was a revelation for Otago Polytechnic, which had already agreed to give up its land for the project.

Otago Polytechnic special projects manager Rebecca Hamid asked regional councillors yesterday to reconsider their proposed 2021-31 budgets and fund the restoration in years 1 to 3 of their 10-year plan.

The council initiated the Water of Leith restoration project, paid for the consultants who drew up the plans, but never put any money in their plans to do it, Ms Hamid said.

Project partners, including the polytechnic, the University of Otago, Aukaha, the Dunedin City Council, and the regional council created a long-term plan for three areas along the Leith, including from Forth St to Anzac Ave, where there would be a natural stream.

The Leith project began in 2016, and was consulted on in 2018 at the polytechnic with its tertiary precinct partners, including regional council staff, Ms Hamid said.

However, recent communication with council staff had been unsuccessful in moving the project along, she said.

It was only a couple of months ago the polytechnic learned the regional council had no plan to pay for the work, Ms Hamid said.

The polytechnic had already agreed to give up the land, but did not have the money for the restoration work, she said.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz