Future Dunedin
It’s a great time to come to Dunedin as the city is poised to undergo a once-in-a-lifetime transformation, underpinned by comprehensive environmental improvements. Major developments include a new hospital build, central city and tertiary precinct upgrades, waterfront transformation, further cycleways, a district energy scheme and environmental protection projects
What does this mean for you? If you’re a start-up entrepreneur, or looking for a job, looking for long-term opportunities for your family or looking simply looking to live in a great small city, this is the time to get here and settle in.
Looking forward
Perhaps the most impressive of the projects about to get underway in Dunedin is the new $NZ1.4 billion new hospital build . It will be the largest project of its kind in New Zealand’s history, requiring up to 1000 workers from outside the city at the peak of construction prior to 2026.
The new hospital’s central city siting have accelerated plans to enhance connections between the central commercial district and the harbour, with an emphasis on safety, enjoyment and people-friendly, low-emission transport options.
The city's main shopping area, George Street is currently receiving a face-lift, alongside underground works and will become a pedestrian-friendly retail precinct with reduced traffic.
Dunedin’s major tertiary institutions, the Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago, are significantly developing their campuses and initiating new building projects, with a strong emphasis on high-quality, sustainable, low-emission environments.
For those living in Dunedin, this means the health, education, entertainment and commercial and inner city accommodation sectors of the city will remain a steady source of opportunity, employment, fun, care and comfort for decades to come.
Transport yourself
The beautiful shared cycling and walking path alongside the Otago Harbour is nearing completion and once finished, will run from Port Chalmers all the way around to Portobello.
An ambitious project to create a cycling and pedestrian route between Mosgiel and Dunedin via old rail tunnels has been green-lit, with work well underway to create this new active transport and recreational asset.
Environmental vision
We have a clear vision that encourages a safe central city, an attractive urban and rural environment, and preservation of our fabulous heritage, wildlife and lifestyle assets.
City-wide, new developments take climate change into account and support an aim for Dunedin to be net carbon zero by 2030. Transitions to cleaner, smarter energy use lie at the core of those mitigation efforts.
An existing central city energy scheme will be upgraded to use renewable resources, coinciding with the demands of the new hospital build. The city’s already extensive recycling system and waste reduction education programme are constantly being reviewed and upgraded to move the city towards its zero-waste aspiration.
Dunedin residents are conscious that the city’s distinctiveness owes much to the rare wildlife, beautiful built heritage and lush hinterland they are so proud of. Careful and proactive management plans are ensuring that the very same things that attract people here, are not lost in the process.
Eco-tourism is already a real draw-card for Dunedin and there are increasing community numbers of projects supporting predator-free environments for rare and endangered wildlife.
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