I have been trying to get ORC and DCC to specify larger Mosgiel culvert, driveway and drainage pipe sizes increased over many years, but been unsuccessful.

Clearing mudtanks and pipe entrances has improved in South Dunedin but still been patchy in many other parts of Dunedin.

More pipe-scouring and storm/waste separation work still urgently needs doing ongoing.

For South Dunedin CEO Graham was indeed well prepared and staff ready, and the lack of flooding in South Dunedin was to their credit.

The CEO’s early email to Councillors showed this.

“A quick update on the weather situation. The headline is we are prepared and ready.

Scott and the team have been monitoring since Friday and the following preparations were undertaken;

The network was drained to ensure maximum capacity in the piped network if required;

Our contractors went out and swept the low lying parts of the network to ensure channels and mud-tank grates were clear;

Conractors have rostered staff ready to respond

Early COMs were issued about being prepared;

Staff monitored various weather forecast and liaised with ORC over the past 24 hours

Next steps this morning.

At this stage there is some uncertainty about the forecast in terms of intensity, duration and where the heavy rain might fall.

Metservice are issuing an update at 10am

Current modelling for our network shows the system coping but we are checking regularly

Treatment plant staff will open Lawyers Head if required and discharge into the Kaikorai if necessary. These decisions have been pre-approved and will happen quickly if necessary.

Staff will attend a meeting with ORC flood team at 11.30 to assess the new information

Out of an abundance of caution, two self-serve sandbagging stations will be setup by 11 – one in Sth D and one in Mosgiel – this is because its easier to do in daylight hours and any peak rain is likely to be at night (based on current data)

We have a shift ready to go to active the EOC (bunker) if required”