South Dunedin is a vibrant and diverse community that tens of thousands call home.
Otago Regional Council has been collecting and analysing information about the natural hazards faced by South Dunedin and the Harbourside area.
South Dunedin Future is a joint programme between Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council to find ways to respond to climate change and flooding problems in South Dunedin. Find out more about the programme here
We’ve been looking at the history of the landscape, the relationship between groundwater and land, sea level rise and other risks to the area.
A groundbreaking GNS Science report, produced in partnership with ORC, sheds new light on the behaviour of groundwater beneath South Dunedin and Harbourside and what this could mean for the future.
The study, based on analysis of data from the ORC-operated groundwater monitoring network in South Dunedin and Harbourside, looks at what causes change to groundwater levels, such as sea level rise, tides, storm surge and rain. This information was used to forecast the behaviour of groundwater into the future.
This research shows what is happening now and forecasts what we could see in the future at 10 cm steps in sea level rise. You can view interactive maps of the current and forecast groundwater levels in South Dunedin and Harbourside on the Natural Hazards Database Portal.
The GNS Science report is available from GNS Science and on the ORC website
We continue to invest in research to find out more about what lies beneath South Dunedin.
South Dunedin: A Changing Environment | History
This video is one of a series of three that present the findings of a July 2016 report by the Otago Regional Council on the Natural Hazards of South Dunedin.
South Dunedin: A Changing Environment | Rainfall and Groundwater
South Dunedin: A Changing Environment | Rainfall and Groundwater
Explore the reclaimed history of South Dunedin, its ongoing implications, how we monitor natural hazards in the area.
ORC prioritizes climate change research in South Dunedin and Harbourside, focusing on sea-level rise impacts. Collaborating with the NZ Sea Rise project and partners like GNS Science and Dunedin City Council, we study groundwater levels, geological data, and past sea levels to predict future changes and inform infrastructure decisions.
Frequently asked questions about South Dunedin's changing environment
South Dunedin Future is a joint programme between Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council to find ways to respond to climate change and flooding problems in South Dunedin. Find out more about the programme here