Submission
9 year plan feedback
Should we remove 231 Stuart Street (formerly the Fortune Theatre) from the list of strategic assets in the DCC Significance and Engagement policy?
Do you have any comments about 231 Stuart Street?
Should we charge an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST) for international visitors aged 16 and over, at Toitū and Dunedin Public Art Gallery?
Do you have any comments about the entry fee for international visitors?
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I am writing on behalf of the Cancer Society to respectfully request the continuation of the rates reduction we have received for several years. This support has been an essential part of enabling us to deliver free, life-changing services to people affected by cancer in our community. We cannot overstate the profound impact this relief has had—not just for our organisation, but for thousands of Dunedin residents and their families who turn to us during one of the most challenging times of their lives.
Cancer remains the leading cause of death for New Zealanders, and Dunedin is not immune to its reach. One in three people in our community will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. These numbers are staggering—and they are expected to double within the next decade. At a time when the need for accessible, compassionate cancer support is growing rapidly, our services have never been more critical.
The Cancer Society operates with no government contracts. We are entirely funded by the generosity of our community, and we take our responsibility to that community very seriously. Every dollar we save through rates relief goes directly toward helping local people affected by cancer. In fact, the rates reduction has played a significant role in keeping our doors open and ensuring no one in Dunedin faces cancer alone or without support. It has enabled us to provide practical assistance, transport to treatment, emotional counselling, accommodation during treatment, and access to trusted information—all at no cost to the people who need us most.
The local rates relief has been more than a line item on a budget—it has been a lifeline. It has allowed us to prioritise people over paperwork, and compassion over cost-cutting. With that support, we've been able to assist thousands of patients and their whānau every year. It is no exaggeration to say that this support directly impacts lives.
As you know, the Dunedin Hospital has faced significant challenges, and the situation continues to complicate the already-stressful journey of cancer care. For many patients, navigating treatment has become more difficult, more time-consuming, and more emotionally taxing. In this environment, the services we provide—including free accommodation for those who must travel for treatment—are not just helpful; they are essential. We bridge the gap between hospital and home, offering stability, empathy, and practical help at every stage.
Our mission is simple but powerful: to reduce the impact and incidence of cancer in our community. We do this through education, prevention, support, and advocacy—but we cannot do it alone. The rates relief we have received is a clear statement that the Council stands with us, and with those we serve. It signals that Dunedin values not only healthcare, but equity of access, dignity in care, and the strength of community.
We recognise the competing priorities the Council must weigh and the financial pressures that come with governance. But we also know that the cost of inaction—or the unintended consequences of withdrawing support—can be far greater. Reducing or removing this relief risks creating a ripple effect that would be felt by every person we help. It would mean fewer services, reduced capacity, and potentially, turning people away during their darkest hours.
We are asking for continued partnership—not charity, but shared responsibility. We believe in the power of community, and we have built our organisation on that principle. Every dollar that stays with the Cancer Society through rates relief is multiplied many times over in the form of service delivery, support, and care. It is one of the most effective and meaningful investments the Council can make in the wellbeing of its citizens.
We hope you will see this request not as a favour to our organisation, but as a strategic commitment to the health and resilience of Dunedin itself. We are deeply proud of the work we do and the people we serve. We want to keep delivering that work with the same integrity, compassion, and reach we have always strived for.
Thank you for considering this request. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further and share stories from our clients that demonstrate the real-world impact of your support. Together, we can continue to stand beside every Dunedin resident facing cancer, and ensure that no one is left behind.
Local Water Done Well feedback
Which water services delivery model do you support?
Why did you choose this option?
Do you have any other feedback related to the proposed water services delivery models?
Supporting information
No associated documents with this submission.
Submitter
Submission id number: 1130217
Submitter name:
Jonet Warhurst
Organisation
Southern Cancer Society