South Dunedin resident blindsided by possibility of property acquisition to tackle climate change

Flooding in South Dunedin in 2024. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

Some South Dunedin homes may make way to a changing landscape under plans to tackle increasing risks posed by climate change.

The low-lying, flood-prone community is considering three possible futures under the South Dunedin Future programme, ranging from raising land and pumping water, creating wetlands and canals, and shifting out of harm's way.

A major managed retreat was not on the table, but between 1100 and 1700 properties might need to be bought to make way for specific public works, land raising or new green spaces.

South Dunedin Future is a joint programme from the Otago Regional and Dunedin City councils.

The costs for each option range from from $1.6 billion to $2.4b over 100 years, but modelling suggested that was lower than the cost of not adapting.

South Dunedin resident Lynne Newell went to a briefing on Tuesday to hear about the proposals.

She was appalled to discover her home was in an area marked for possible property acquisition.

"This land area, massive land area of up to 1700 houses was going to be completely removed from the landscape, which included my house," she said.

Her house has not flooded but she said contaminated water ran off from her street.

"We knew that some land in their planning would be, that some homes would be taken away from them, but this had never been put before the residents of those homes," she said.

South Dunedin Future manager Jonathan Rowe said the areas were indicative only and there was still plenty of consultation to go.

Property acquisitions would take decades and the aim was to have willing, voluntary sellers and pick up properties once they entered the free market, Rowe said.

South Dunedin had a high turnover of property with half of properties being sold at least once between 2013 and 2023, he said.

Hundreds of new homes were also earmarked for South Dunedin so people could stay in the area.

He encouraged residents to pop into planned drop-in sessions and speak to their team about what the different futures might mean for their property.

The 2015 South Dunedin flood was etched into the memory of many residents.

Andrew Henderson, who lives near Forbury Park, said his home was OK but the streets were flooded and they had to be careful not to send waves into other homes.

"It was months that went on with wet furniture and bedding, people's belongings out on the street waiting to be disposed of, and then obviously a lot of work by contractors doing remedial work," he said.

He had mixed feelings about the possible property