Council
MINUTES
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Dunedin City Council held in the Council Chamber, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, The Octagon, Dunedin on Tuesday 07 October 2025, commencing at 3.00 pm
PRESENT
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Mayor |
Mayor Jules Radich |
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Deputy Mayor |
Cr Cherry Lucas
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Members |
Cr Bill Acklin |
Cr Sophie Barker |
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Cr David Benson-Pope |
Cr Christine Garey |
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Cr Kevin Gilbert |
Cr Carmen Houlahan |
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Cr Marie Laufiso |
Cr Mandy Mayhem |
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Cr Jim O'Malley |
Cr Steve Walker |
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Cr Brent Weatherall |
Cr Andrew Whiley |
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IN ATTENDANCE |
Sandy Graham (Chief Executive Officer), Carolyn Allan (Chief Financial Officer), Scott MacLean (General Manager Climate and City Growth), David Ward (General Manager 3 Waters and Transition), Paul Henderson (General Manager Corporate Services), Mike Costelloe (General Manager, Arts & Culture), and Gina Hu’akau (Acting Manahautū – General Manager Policy and Partnership). |
Governance Support Officer Lynne Adamson
The meeting was opened with a karakia by Rev Greg Hughson on behalf of the Dunedin Interfaith Council.
Rev Hughson paid tribute to Rev Donald Philips who had recently passed away. He commented that his funeral would be held on Saturday 11 October 2025 with the interment at the Ōtākou Marae. Rev Hughson spoke of the long historic connection the Dunedin Interfaith Group had with Methodist Church and Ōtākou Marae.
Rev Hughson thanked the Mayor and Councillors for their work over the triennium and wished them well in the upcoming election.
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Moved (Mayor Jules Radich/Cr Steve Walker): That the Council:
Confirms the agenda without addition or alteration
Motion carried (CNL/2025/288) |
Members were reminded of the need to stand aside from decision-making when a conflict arose between their role as an elected representative and any private or other external interest they might have.
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Moved (Mayor Jules Radich/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council:
a) Notes the Elected Members' Interest Register; and b) Confirms the proposed management plan for Elected Members' Interests. c) Notes the proposed management plan for the Executive Leadership Team’s Interests.
Motion carried (CNL/2025/289) |
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Moved (Mayor Jules Radich/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council: a) Confirms the public and non public minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 23 September 2025 as a correct record. Motion carried (CNL/2025/290) |
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A report from Civic advised that the interregnum period was the period between the discharge of the Council and the swearing in of the new Council. It was anticipated that this would occur on 31 October 2025, depending on when the final election result was confirmed. The Council must provide for the effective and efficient conduct of the Council’s business during the interregnum, and various delegations and arrangements are required. |
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Moved (Cr Steve Walker/Cr Andrew Whiley): That the Council:
a) Approves the following appointments and powers: i) That from 11 October 2025 until the inaugural meeting of the Council, the Chief Executive Officer was authorised to make decisions in respect of urgent matters. Where the Mayor elect was known, this would be in consultation with the Mayor elect. ii) That Cherry Lucas, Sophie Barker, Christine Garey, Steve Walker, Jim O’Malley, Kevin Gilbert and Andrew Whiley be appointed to act as Commissioners to undertake the responsibilities of the Hearings Committee from 11 October 2025 if required. This delegation would expire when all matters commenced immediately prior to the date a Hearings Committee was appointed had proceeded to a decision. Explanatory Note: The Hearings Committee appointed by Council in the new Triennium is to consider any matters which require a hearing after the date that new Committee was appointed, but any matters commenced after 11 October 2025 and prior to that appointment date would continue under this delegation until a decision has been issued. iii) That from 11 October 2025 the Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Resource Consents Manager or City Development Manager as appropriate, be authorised to appoint one or more independent commissioner(s) for hearings where: a. The Council was the landowner, lessee, applicant, requiring authority, had a financial interest, or the Council had any other role where the perception of bias or impartiality in its quasi-judicial decision making capacity cannot be avoided; or b. A Commissioner(s) was appointed as provided for in (a) above, where appointees were unavailable or not willing to act; or c. A joint hearing was to be convened. This delegation expired on the appointment of a new Hearings Committee. iv) That from 11 October 2025, Cherry Lucas be delegated the power to negotiate and/or resolve any appeal on a resource consent decision. This delegation was to expire on the appointment of a new Hearings Committee. v) That from 11 October 2025, until the date that a new Hearings Committee was appointed Cherry Lucas was authorised to: a. Determine any matters regarding minor alterations to designations b. Initiate or join any Environment Court proceedings under the Resource Management Act 1991 c. Negotiate and resolve or withdraw from any proceeding arising from (v)(b) above d. Select the chairperson or mediator for pre-hearing meetings pursuant to s99 and s99A of the Resource Management Act 1991. vi) That from 11 October 2025, Cherry Lucas would have the delegation to negotiate and resolve 2GP appeals through the environment court process, until the appointment of a new Hearings Committee. vii) In the event of a pandemic or emergency occurring, the Chief Executive Officer (or Acting Chief Executive Officer) was delegated all of the powers and functions of the local authority (other than those which may not be delegated). This delegation expired on the convening of a valid meeting of the Dunedin City Council. The power to declare a state of local emergency would rest with the Minister for Emergency Management. viii) That from 11 October 2025 until the inaugural meeting of the Council, Warren Allen continued to act as the independent alternate Fraud Control Officer and Protected Disclosure Officer. Motion carried (CNL/2025/291) |
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7 Local Water Done Well - Recommended Amendments to Significance and Engagement Policy |
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A report from Legal noted that the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 (Act) became law on 26 August 2025. Under that Act, Council was required to amend its Significance and Engagement Policy (SEP) to reflect Council’s role as a water service provider (WSP). The report provided information on some of the matters that must be included in the SEP under the Act; and recommended amendments to the SEP to meet the requirements of the Act regarding contracts. |
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The Chief In-House Legal Counsel (Karilyn Canton) and In-House Legal Counsel (Nadia McKenzie) spoke to the report and responded to questions.
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Cr Carmen Houlahan entered the meeting at 3.10 pm.
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Moved (Mayor Jules Radich/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council:
a) Notes that Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 had recently become law and required certain changes to Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. b) Decides that there were good reasons not to consult on the Recommended Amendments. c) Approves the Recommended Amendments to Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. Motion carried (CNL/2025/292) |
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A report from Civic recorded its thanks for the service given by the retiring community board members for their terms in office. |
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Cr Cherry Lucas paid tribute to Andrew Simms (Chairperson); Dean McAlwee (Deputy Chairperson), Kathryn Anderson and Regan Horrell, retiring members of the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board.
Lox Kellas, retiring Otago Peninsula Community Board member spoke to his highlights while serving on the board over the past 23 years.
Cr Andrew Whiley paid tribute to Lox Kellas on his retirement from the Otago Peninsula Community Board and read a statement of thanks from the Chair. The Mayor and Councillors expressed their thanks to Mr Kellas for his service.
Cr Andrew Whiley then read a statement from Edna Stevenson on her retirement from the Otago Peninsula Community Board. He then acknowledged her service and read a statement of thanks from the Chair. Cr Christine Garey expressed her thanks to Ms Stevenson for her service.
Cr Kevin Gilbert expressed thanks to the Saddle Hill Community Board and all Boards for their dedication and work over the triennium. He thanked Scott Weatherall; Keith McFadyen and Christina McBratney, retiring members of the Saddle Hill Community Board and spoke of highlights through their combined 52 years of service to the community. Councillors recorded their thanks to the retiring members their work.
Cr Bill Acklin highlighted some of the work undertaken by retiring Chairperson Barry Williams during his 36 years of service to the Strath Taieri Community Board. He expressed thanks to Mr Williams and Ms Anna Wilson (Deputy Chairperson) during their tenure on the Board.
Cr Jim O’Malley paid tribute to Mark Brown and Chris McBride, retiring members of the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board.
Cr Mandy Mayhem expressed sincere thanks to Kristina Goldsmith (Deputy Chair) and Dr Barbara Anderson, retiring members of the West Harbour Community Board.
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Moved (Mayor Jules Radich/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council:
a) Records its sincere thanks to the following retiring Community Board members for their loyal and conscientious service given to the City of Dunedin.
Motion carried (CNL/2025/293) |
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A report from Civic noted that at the end of this triennium, Cr David Benson-Pope was retiring. The report recorded its thanks for the service given by Cr Benson-Pope for his terms in office. The Mayor paid tribute to Cr David Benson-Pope. |
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Cr David Benson-Pope spoke of highlights during his time in office and recorded thanks to fellow Councillors and staff.
Councillors thanked Cr Benson-Pope and spoke of their gratitude for his expertise, guidance and work over the past 12 years of service.
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Moved (Mayor Jules Radich/Cr Steve Walker): That the Council:
a) Records its sincere thanks to David Benson Pope for the loyal and conscientious service he has given to the Dunedin community as a member of the Dunedin City Council for 12 years during the period 2013 to 2025. Motion carried (CNL/2025/294) |
The meeting closed at 4.32 pm.
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER