Submission
Which option do you prefer?
Option Two – The alternative option – Keep Aurora Energy
Further comment
Sale appears to be based on weakness, ie build up of debt through apparent poor budgetary planning procedures. If so, these need to be addressed in first instance to build resilience and return DCC to a stronger position. If these procedural matters are not addressed we are fated to "do all again". ie The CARE principal.
If a commercial buyer purchases this asset then they have to recover costs and generate income to meet estimated expenses. They have different methods of doing this but can certainly ask the "watchdogs" for exemptions to "unexpected factors". This will quite probably raise living costs throughout the South, not just Dunedin. A potentially sad indictment on Dunedin in the future.
Rates have been rising for a number of years and these are causing hardship on the inhabitants. It appears that rates never come down when specific projects are completed. A sale would probably cancel DCC debt but it is unlikely DCC will lower rates as new projects will spring to life without the planning mentioned earlier.
A decision to sell is an easy decision. The hard decision, is to address the reasons why DCC is in this position now, and remedy these whilst keeping the "Crown Jewel" of Aurora in our own pockets.
Hold off, bring in savings through procedural change thereby caring for not only the inhabitants of Dunedin but also the wider area affected. Dunedin does not need to become the "Pariah of the South".
Supporting information
No associated documents with this submission.
Submitter
Submission id number: 1045427
Submitter name:
Robert "Bob" Barlin
Organisation