» Home > Services > Business Development

Following initial investigative work, which the Council's Economic Development Unit began in 2005, it was determined a definitive strategy or policy was required to govern the implementation and operation of a digital communication network within Dunedin City.

The Council has been involved in many discussions regarding local, regional and South Island-wide issues relating to this subject. There are numerous and complex digital communications issues which face the city, and, by default require the attention and expertise of various departments throughout the Council.To create a consistent response to these issues, it was established that a strategy should be developed to guide Council staff, and to inform funders, businesses and the community.

In April this year, approval was gained from the Economic Development Committee to begin scoping a strategy for Dunedin City. An interim steering group was assembled who agreed that the Digital Communications Strategy should focus on the long-term vision for Dunedin and its digital communications future. The scope of the strategy will address more than just broadband or fibre in the ground, covering components such as relevant content, capability and confidence.

In order to ensure a wide representation on the steering group, who will ultimately be charged with delivering the strategy, the interim group selected those key stakeholders whose input would be valuable to its creation.

To do this, they used the basic tenets of:

• Content and Services - what people use it for;
• Confidence and Demand - sparking people to use it;
• Connection and Infrastructure - what delivers it

The membership of the steering group has now been finalised and are as follows:

Area of Interest	Relevant Organisation	Representative
Connection	Dunedin City Council Executive	Jim Harland, Grant Strang
Confidence	Dunedin City Councillors	Cr Dave Cull (Chair), Cr Chris Staynes (Deputy Chair)
Connection	Infrastructure Enabler	Grady Cameron
Content	Key Users - ICT Cluster	Gary Taiaroa, Stuart Fleming
Content	Content Provider - Health	Sarah Kalmakoff
Content	Content Provider - Education	Mike Harte
Confidence	Otago Community Trust	Peter Hills

 

It is anticipated that the initial public consultation rounds will begin some time in November.  For further details or information please contact Kirstyn Lindsay, Digital Communications Strategy Co-ordinator at klindsay@dcc.govt.nz or (03) 474 3564.