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?
Yes, remove 231 Stuart Street from the list of strategic assets (this is our preferred option)
Do you have any comments about 231 Stuart Street?
Sell it!!! Let's shut down the conversation (admittedly, of people who don't understand the performing arts) of people suggesting it 're-opens its doors' to solve the venue crisis. Repurpose the money from the sale towards ACTUALLY investing into the local performing arts ecology, namely, it's people. Walking past the venue, I've seen scaffolding, waterblasting, security systems in play - which seems like absolutely Pissing Away money on an empty building that hasn't been fit for purpose for much longer than 2018, when it shut the doors.
It would be a good move towards signalling Council support for the future of local performing arts and arts practitioners despite the $17.1 million for a new venue being removed from the 9 Year Plan. The performing arts sector is hurting, more than ever, and while it's reasonable to assume that the wider rate paying base of constituents may not see value in dedicating money to the arts, to at least free up this asset towards the cause could go a long way to helping.
Should we charge an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST) for international visitors aged 16 and over, at Toitū and Dunedin Public Art Gallery?
No, do not introduce an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST)
Do you have any comments about the entry fee for international visitors?
The majority of times I go into the gallery, the people also visiting seem to be international visitors. To potentially put them off, particularly when Aotearoa is already an expensive destination and arts is often seen as a 'nice to have' seems like an additional hurdle to those venues then proving their worth by visitor numbers. To charge also doesn't fit with the concepts of manaakitanga for our visitors and, i'm guessing, would be additional stress, energy and time for the staff.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Continue and increase funding availability for local performing arts, including the Professional Theatre Fund and Arts Grants. Enable us to invest in, support, and retain local talent, as those will be the people first and foremost working in any redeveloped or new performing venues. I would strongly urge a move towards multi-year funding for arts organisations and eligible practitioners with an established record. We are currently unable to retain much professional talent on the ground here, with limited infrastructure, no particularly healthy, safe and suitable venues for professional level, locally-made work, and no professional development opportunities to speak of for those other than emerging artists.
Local Water Done Well feedback
Which water services delivery model do you support?
A Three Waters Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO)
Why did you choose this option?
It's critical that management of our natural assets are done in collaboration with tangata whenua. The rhetoric shutting 3-waters proposals down has been racist and short sighted - DCC has a real opportunity here to be leaders in wider thinking that benefits us all.
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: 1132330
Submitter name:
Organisation