South Dunedin Future to focus on near-term infrastructure investment and longer-term adaptation

The revised workplan responds to Council resolutions in June to explore an engineering-focussed ‘pipes and pumps’ option, and seeks to account for recently released Government direction on climate adaptation planning.

The planned approach would separate the next stage of the programme into two workstreams:

• an infrastructure investment package covering the next 30 years, which builds on stormwater work already underway and identifies prioritised projects for the next 5-10 years; and
• long-term adaptation planning focused beyond 30 years, examining a revised set of long-term futures which would include an engineering-focussed ‘pipes and pumps’ option.

Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker says the approach provides a clear pathway forward, allowing shorter-term investment planning and projects to progress while longer-term adaptation options continue to be refined and assessed.

"South Dunedin communities have told us they want to see progress on reducing flood risk while also ensuring longer-term adaptation options are thoroughly tested.

"This approach allows both to happen at the same time. Councils can continue progressing work on immediate infrastructure needs while taking the time to carefully assess longer-term options and understand their costs, benefits and implications."

Focus on the next 30 years

The first workstream would include developing an infrastructure investment package for South Dunedin over the next 30 years, building on stormwater work already underway, and identifying a set of priority projects for in the next 5-10 years.

This work would involve additional modelling, design and constructability assessments to further develop the list of 10-15 flood protection projects already identified through South Dunedin Future. It would also complement current DCC three waters infrastructure work, which includes the ongoing roll out of the three stormwater projects in the $29.2 million package approved by DCC Council in January 2025.

The aim is to produce a sequenced and costed programme of infrastructure investments, including information on the level of flood protection each project would provide and how projects could best be staged over time.

Importantly, the package would be developed so it remains compatible with a range of possible longer-term adaptation approaches.

The work is intended to be completed by December 2026 to inform each Councils’ deliberations on their respective Long Term Plans, as well as DCC’s Infrastructure Strategy and Water Services Strategy.

Reviewing long-term adaptation options

The second workstream would focus on adaptation pathways beyond the first 30 years.

This would involve reviewing and refining the longer-term adaptation futures developed through the SDF programme to ensure they reflect Council feedback and emerging Government direction on climate adaptation planning.

The objective would be to present Councils with advice on a revised set of long-term futures representing distinct approaches based on infrastructure investment, nature-based solutions, and land-use change. This would include designing an engineering-focussed ‘pipes and pumps’ option to supplement or potentially replace one of the three previously proposed futures.

The revised futures would be assessed against a range of climate scenarios and provide additional information about benefits, costs, levels of protection and any potential property acquisition.

The work would also demonstrate how investments made over the next 30 years could transition into different long-term adaptation pathways.

Building on work already completed

Otago Regional Council Chair Hilary Calvert says the approach will allow the programme to build on the significant work already undertaken while responding to issues raised through Council deliberations and emerging Government direction.

"Councillors need more information about the options available to reduce flood risk in South Dunedin, the benefits and costs involved, and the trade-offs associated with different approaches.

"This next phase of work will provide that information, enabling Councillors to make informed decisions about both near-term infrastructure investment and longer-term adaptation planning."

Community engagement and next steps

A proposed infrastructure investment package covering the next 30 years, with priority projects for the first 5-10 years, is expected to be considered by DCC Councillors in December as part of Long Term Plan deliberations. Subject to DCC Council decisions, the package could then be included in a draft Long Term Plan 2027–37 for public consultation in early 2027.

Staff are developing advice on the second workstream including the proposed approach for revising the long-term adaptation futures, including an engineering-focussed ‘pipes and pumps’ option, which will be presented to both Councils in September. Subject to Council decisions, this work could be undertaken later in 2026 and revised futures presented back to Councils for consideration in early 2027.

Any future community engagement and consultation on long-term adaptation options would be considered as part of subsequent Council decision-making processes.

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