During an economic update on a potential regional deal for the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago, in partnership with the Otago Regional Council, Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers proclaimed "Dunedin has a past; Queenstown has a future".
"Desperate people make desperate statements," Cr Brent Weatherall replied yesterday.
"Yes, Dunedin has a proud past; unfortunately Queenstown’s mayor has forgotten his town’s past along with its former charm and character."
Cr Steve Walker said while he loved to visit Queenstown's bike trails and mountains, "you couldn't get me to live there if you paid me".
"The sort of city I want to live in is a place that prioritises diversity, sustainability, connectivity, accessibility, and place-making principles — that's Ōtepoti Dunedin, not a ticky-tacky millionaires’ paradise that appears to vet the ‘kind of people' worthy of living there."
During the update, Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce members were told if present trends continued, the combined population of the Central Lakes — Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Alexandra — would be higher than Dunedin by 2039.
Dunedin had been a bit too quiet about trumpeting its assets, but it had plenty of room to grow and needed to reassert itself, harness its "powerhouse potential" and focus on making the most of its strengths, she said.
"We all love Queenstown as a place to visit, but the realities of living in a place with a small population of under 30,000 jammed in among the mountains and the deluges of visitors might be a bit much for those who appreciate the lifestyle Dunedin has to offer.
"Our 134,000 live in a perfect small city with a long list of attributes Queenstown can’t begin to compete with."
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said Queenstown was a beautiful place which had seen a "heck of a lot of growth", but it was highly congested and could be difficult to navigate.
It was also advantaged with its port and proximity to the main trunk line, and was "the centre of education for the lower South Island".
"Having an illustrious past does not preclude us from having a wonderful future."
"We, Dunedin, absolutely does have a wonderful future."
Cr Andrew Whiley said Dunedin would always have a future, "and a very strong one at that".
Cr Whiley said he would rather have the "365-day liveability" of Dunedin than the transient population of Queenstown who "basically live there four months a year".
Cr Bill Acklin said Dunedin’s past was the "backbone of its future" and the city funded its own infrastructure.
It punched "well above its weight" and its growth spurts happened when it became too expensive to live elsewhere.
"And Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago are becoming extremely expensive to live."
Cr Christine Garey said Queenstown had a great deal to offer, but Dunedin had "the whole package" and continuing to build it as a welcoming and inclusive city would be the thing that allowed it to grow.
QLDC, CODC and ORC are due to vote this week on a joint proposal to central government to help deliver sustainable economic growth in the "Otago Central Lakes" area over the next 30 years.
