South Dunedin could soon have a new buyer on the market - the city's council.
Several people in the flood-prone area are backing the scheme to buy up houses in areas that are vulnerable to climate change, but there are still some questions about how much they will pay.
South Dunedin is prime real estate, close to some of Dunedin's most iconic beaches.
The Dunedin City Council wants to buy up, not for the views, but as part of a voluntary property acquisition scheme.
"I think it's a great plan because I think it allows options," south Dunedin resident Alex Clark said.
It's a plan designed to help residents in vulnerable areas.
"They know every time that it rains that there's an opportunity their property will flood again. It's a big thing."
South Dunedin is no stranger to flooding with residents forced to evacuate in 2015.
The estimated costs are up to $132 million over an initial five-year period and based on buying 65 properties a year, that's 325 in total, averaging around $400,000 per property.
Recent CoreLogic data shows south Dunedin's median property value is $405,000.
"I think people deserve, are entitled to market value," south Dunedin resident Mike Hammond said.
"It'll depend on individual properties and if you're buying on the open market obviously each property is different," south Dunedin future programme manager Jonathon Rowe said.
"Those are the ballpark figures we've come up with."
Under the Council's proposal, no one would be forced out and property would be acquired gradually over time.
"The big question for most of us is are we in the pieces of land that they are likely they are wanting to acquire?" Clark asked.
Those homes haven't been identified yet, however, the council needs land to help future-proof the area.
"Whether that's land to build new infrastructure so pumps, pipe, seawalls and the like, whether it's to build nature-based solutions, parks, wetlands, open water courses," Rowe suggested.
But all of this needs government support and funding, so ongoing discussions with the Treasury will determine if the Dunedin City Council can buy up south Dunedin.
