Dunedin City Forum

The Dunedin City Forum was hosted by the Dunedin City Council on 23 July 2009 at the Glenroy Auditorium. The Forum was an opportunity for leaders in the community and the Council to work together in considering the future of Dunedin. The Forum considered how Dunedin can make the most of the current opportunities to ensure our city continues to be a vibrant and exciting city.

Mayor Peter Chin recognised that the Forum brought "people who are passionate about Dunedin, the so-called movers and shakers of Dunedin together to get your ideas on the future of this city."

Over 150 community and business leaders attended the Forum (a list of the organisations represented is attached at Appendix 1).

Jim Harland presented information on the projected growth in Dunedin for the next 50 years. Mr Harland recognised areas where the city is doing well including:

providing city assets that provide recreation and leisure choice;
people feel safe in their homes, work and public spaces;
that Dunedin has a diverse and vibrant arts and culture scene; and
that our heritage and quality design is valued and protected.

Mr Harland also recognised areas where the city needs improvement including:

providing an integrated local public transport system;
actively promoting sustainability; and
improving broadband connections.

Key Issues Raised

The "Big City Issues" facing Dunedin raised at the forum included:

increasing economic development;
improving sustainability;
improving social connections;
enhancing city vibrancy; and
improving accessibility.

The participants worked together to identify action plans to address the "Big City Issues". An overall theme in all of the ensuing action plans was that a clear vision for a vibrant city was required and an holistic and collaborative approach was needed to address the issues. It was recognised by all of the workshop groups that looking at issues in isolation within organisations or sectors was not working and that the community needed to take action together to work on the "Big City Issues" facing Dunedin.

Sector Perspectives

Six speakers from various sectors within Dunedin spoke at the Forum.

Mike Horne, Director, Deloitte - recognised that Dunedin is well placed to deal with global economic challenges and that we need to embrace our current successes, and leverage the University and Otago region's resources to drive the longer term success of Dunedin.

Hamish Saxton, Chief Executive, Tourism Dunedin - recognised that the one million visitors to Dunedin each year are our ambassadors. Visitors are drawn to our unique wilderness, extensive heritage and cultural offerings, hospitality, and passion for education and knowledge, and our respect for the environment.

David Skegg, Vice-Chancellor, University of Otago - compared Dunedin with international cities with similar tertiary institutions which are lively and vibrant places based in, or near to places with strong economic activity.

Edward Ellison, representative, Otakou Runanga - recognised the relationship which Ngai Tahu has with the Council.

Gillian Bremner, Director, Presbyterian Support - identified the youth, disadvantaged and elderly in our community in need of our support.

Bob Lloyd, Spokesperson Sustainable Dunedin City - recognised the international effects of peak oil and climate change will affect Dunedin, and called for action.

Where to from here?

The Council will consider all of the feedback and conclusions from the Forum in their planning. A full report will follow in August 2009.

Contact details

Contact DCC on 477 4000.

Last reviewed: 24 Jul 2009 5:00pm