The Dunedin City Council has bought a former racecourse in its southern suburbs and there are hopes it could be the long-awaited answer to flood mitigation in the area.
The council confirmed on Thursday morning it had purchased Forbury Park for $13.2 million from Harness Racing New Zealand.
The 12-hectare property sits next to Saint Clair Beach in South Dunedin, a heavily-populated, low-lying area which is increasingly vulnerable to rising groundwater.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich spoke to Corin Dann.
