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?
We support the continuation of, and $30,000 annual increases to the Place Based Group Fund.
Rates relief is also covered in the 9 year plan Grants review. This applies to us as a charity who also owns a building. The rate relief enables us to keep the rental spaces in our building low/free allowing start up, and not for profit groups to have a physical space to trade from. We support the continuation of the DCC Rate Relief Fund.
We support the submissions of the other Ōtepoti Place Based groups to continue funding for their initiatives that support community and environmental wellbeing.
The proposed increase in residential rates will also impact our community members. We do not support a disproportionate increase in rates, with the lowest value houses paying a 10.8% increase in rates while the $910,000 property owners only pay a 9.6% increase. This current suggestion in the 9 year plan will further disadvantage people with the least resources.
Place Based groups, like The Valley Project, are an essential part of the ‘on-the-ground’ work that supports Dunedin City Council’s wider goals under Dunedin’s Social Wellbeing strategy, and Te Ao Turoa Strategy.
Social Wellbeing: Our initiatives foster a sense of belonging and support networks within the community, which are crucial for mental and emotional health.
Enhanced Social Cohesion: The Valley Project creates spaces where residents can come together, share experiences, and build lasting relationships. This sense of community is vital for mental health and overall wellbeing.
Community Resilience: empowering residents with skills and knowledge, we enhance their ability to cope with economic challenges and build self-sufficiency.
Climate & Environmental Action: Our initiatives include education and action for sustainable futures with local schools and community, waste reduction projects and access to local grown kai- all contributing to a more environmentally conscious community.
Emergency Preparedness: By building strong networks and communication channels we enhance the community's ability to respond to emergencies, natural disasters and other crises.
Importance of Funding:
The Valley Project receives Place Based Grants annually, and this funding is absolutely vital for our community development. Having operational funding, funding for people as opposed to funding for projects, is essential to support community led development- you need someone to coordinate/facilitate/hold space for the magic of community to happen. This Place Based funding allows consistent ‘people on the ground’ that our communities can rely on to support their needs (provide or connect with services, enable access to low cost/free healthy kai, give advice, provide a shoulder to cry on, facilitate events/initiatives with them, broker learning opportunities).
Place Based Funding provides flexibility in helping us respond to real needs in our own community, in a way that’s locally led, trusted, and connected.
It means we can be present, consistent, and proactive. We can show up for our whānau and rangatahi, provide meaningful programmes, and collaborate with others to make a real difference. This funding is more than just dollars – it’s a commitment to the wellbeing and resilience of our community.
The Valley Project, having been a feature of the North East Valley for 20 years, people rely on us to support their wellbeing and community connection. A growing sector of the community rely on us for weekly and daily access to free kai. People come to our events and initiatives as they meet their needs, they have been involved in developing initiatives, and they want to contribute to the collective sense of community and environmental wellbeing. People use our spaces and services as they are financially accessible.
Cuts to funding mean that we will need to cut staff roles. This will impact those particular individuals (and their respective family) and also community members who will see less availability of centre hours, less events/initiatives, and less capacity to meet community needs. When you reduce capacity it can take a while for impacts to be seen, and even longer to positively address those issues when funding re-starts.
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: 1131522
Submitter name:
Jen Rodgers
Organisation
The Valley Project