Low Impact Design: The Emerging Experience in Dunedin

It appears that there are limited drivers for requiring, constructing and maintaining Low Impact Design (LID) infrastructure in Dunedin. While there have been some recent situations where low impact design has been required through resource consents for development, there still seems to be a lack of certainty and confidence in its actual viability. This situation could be perceived to be due to a lack of policy, legal framew ork as w ell as limited Dunedin-specific manuals, guidelines and other regional regulatory requirements (compared to other local authorities in New Zealand).

How ever, the recent adoption of the 3 Waters Strategic Direction Statement (2010-2060) encourages further advancement of such approaches and the revised Code of Subdivision and Development supports further consideration, but offers no further guidance on options or implementation. Coupled with recent advances in network modelling and development of integration stormwater catchment management plans, further insight has been gained into the support for, and viability of, low impact design in Dunedin City.

This paper presents perceived and real barriers for LID in Dunedin and contemplates w hat recent findings may mean for future LID opportunities in Dunedin.