Our strategic framework | Te aka rautaki
The DCC’s current strategic framework
The DCC’s strategic vision was developed through a city-wide engagement process that started in 2011. Developed over a period of approximately eight years, the first of the eight strategies was adopted in 2010 and the last completed in 2017.
Currently, there are eight strategies focused on long-term outcomes and Dunedin’s development.
- The 3 Waters Strategic Direction Statement sets out how the DCC will ensure the city has safe, reliable and affordable water services.
- The Spatial Plan shapes the form of the city.
- The Economic Development Strategy sets out priorities for creating jobs, incomes and opportunities.
- The Social Wellbeing Strategy outlines how the DCC will foster inclusive communities and quality lifestyles.
- The 30 year Integrated Transport Strategy sets priorities for how the safe and efficient movement of people and goods will be supported.
- Ara Toi Otepoti Arts and Culture Strategy roadmaps strategic actions which support the creative sector in Dunedin and develop an environment which acknowledges the intrinsic value of the arts.
- Te Ao Tūroa, Dunedin’s Environment Strategy delineates Dunedin’s climate change impact plan and connects the communities with sustainable ecology and environmental actions.
- The Parks and Recreation Strategy develops the use of Dunedin’s open spaces, recreation facilities and parks to connect and value our spaces and promote more active communities.
The DCC’s work to achieve these strategic goals is underpinned by two overarching principles: Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi – the Council’s work and partnership with Māori is guided by the Treaty principles; and sustainability – the Council takes a sustainable development approach that takes into account the social, economic, environmental and cultural interests of Dunedin’s communities and the needs of future generations. The below image is an illustration of the current Strategic Framework.
Achieving great outcomes as a community
The purpose of a strategic approach to decision-making is ultimately to achieve great outcomes for the city. The hard work is done by everyone in the city when it comes to achieving our goals and the Council is just one of many stakeholders working to support Dunedin being one of the world’s great small cities.
Summary of community outcomes, priorities & indicators
A summary of the community outcome priorities that set out what the city will be like if the Council achieves its goals, and the indicators for tracking progress in making this happen are shown below.
Outcome | Priorities | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
Vision | Dunedin is one of the world’s great small cities | Perception that Dunedin is one of the world’s great small cities |
Strategic principles | Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi A Treaty based partnership approach in our engagement with iwi Māori Partnership with Māori that is enduring, effective and valuable to all Partnership initiatives with mana whenua to create a Dunedin that has a healthy environment, a strong economy and vibrant communities | The DCC’s capability to work with Maori is developed through the implementation of a Māori Cultural Capabilities Pathway for DCC staff and Councillors Meaningful partnership arrangements have been established with Māori in Dunedin An increased number of collaboratively developed partnership projects and ventures with mana whenua |
Sustainability | Percentage of residents agreeing that ‘Dunedin is a sustainable city’ Percentage of residents agreeing that ‘the DCC is a leader in encouraging the development of a sustainable city’ | |
A supportive city with caring communities and a great quality of life | Connected people: making people feel connected and involved in community and city affairs Vibrant and cohesive communities: building better communities both at a local/geographic level and communities of interest Healthy and safe people: promoting good health and ensuring people feel safe, and are safe Reasonable standard of living: promoting a good work/life balance and full employment Affordable and healthy homes: people are living in warm and healthy homes and affordable housing options are available to all | Percentage of residents who have experienced problems with damp or mould in their homes during winter Residents’ sense of community within their local neighbourhood |
A healthy city with reliable and quality water, wastewater and stormwater systems | Meet water needs: Utilising existing water sources for the safe and quality water needs of the city for the next 50 years Adaptable supply: Adaptable water supply to a variety of future climate change and population scenarios Improve discharges: Improving discharges to minimise the impact on the environment Maintain service levels: Maintaining, and where practicable, improving key service levels into the future Kaitiakitaka: An integrated approach to management of the three waters which embraces the concept of kaitiakitaka (Guardianship) Waste Services: Active commitment to zero waste, inclusive of a circular economy, to enhance the health of our environment and people by 2030 | Satisfaction with the way the DCC manages the city’s water related infrastructure |
A compact city with a vibrant CBD and thriving suburban and rural centres | Liveable city: a healthy and safe environment; quality air and water; a connected community; recreation, leisure and learning, opportunities; healthcare, and warm housing Environmentally sustainable and resilient city: resilient ecosystems and communities; actively responding to climate change; reducing dependence on non-renewable resources; seismic-strengthened heritage buildings Memorable and distinctive city: protecting significant landscapes; quality architecture and urban design; memorable and engaging public art; celebrating Tangata Whenua and European heritage; actively re-using built heritage A city that enables a prosperous and diverse economy: maintaining and growing our rural economy, industrial base and world class communications; attracting and retaining internationally-focused people; supporting and benefiting from the tertiary education sector Accessible and connected city: an urban form that supports accessibility from a range of modes and sustainable transport choices; a safe and efficient road network; affordable and convenient public transport; it is safe and pleasant to walk and cycle A vibrant and exciting city: a successful arts and culture scene, vibrant central city and local centres | Satisfaction with the way the city is developing in terms of its look and feel Number of new residential building consents issued in the past 12 months |
A successful city with a diverse, innovative and productive economy | Business vitality: improving the ease of doing business and growing the value of exports Alliances for innovation: improving linkages between industry and research and increasing scale in innovative and tradable sectors A hub for skills and talent: increasing the retention of graduates, building the skills base and growing migrant numbers Linkages beyond our borders: increasing international investment and establishing strategic projects with other cities A compelling destination: marketing Dunedin and exporting education uplift | Growth in full time equivalent jobs Growth in real GDP per capita Ability to cover costs of everyday needs |
A creative city with a rich and diverse arts and culture scene | Identity pride: embedding creativity in city decision-making Access and inclusion: investing in access to arts and culture and enabling self-expression Creative economy: leveraging the economic growth of the arts and culture sector Inspired connections: utilising existing networks and fostering new connections to drive creativity | Percentage of residents rating Dunedin as creative Percentage of residents visiting one or more cultural facility within the last 12 months |
A connected city with a safe, accessible and low-carbon transport system | Safety: prioritising safety improvements according to risk Travel choices: prioritising investment and space to improve the provision of active modes and public transport Connectivity of centres: improving connections within and between centres and the central city for public transport and active modes Freight: efficiently and effectively moving freight Resilient network: integrating land use and transport to reduce demand for vehicle travel and increasing the resilience of the transport network | Percentage of residents who walk, jog, cycle or take public transport to work Number of fatal and serious injury crashes |
A sustainable city with healthy and treasured natural environments | Resilient and carbon zero: planning for and adapting to climate change and impacting positively on global environment and managing resources sustainably Healthy environment: sustaining ecosystem services, increasing indigenous biodiversity and restoring areas of ecological value Caring for the natural world/Tiakitaka: enjoying, connecting to, and celebrating the natural environment | City greenhouse gas emissions Total area of indigenous habitats in Dunedin protected by the Distract Plan, DCC reserve land and land held under QEII covenants and other statute-based protective mechanisms and/or recognised as Areas of Significant Conservation Value |
An active city with quality and accessible recreational spaces and opportunities | Active people: people are living active lives by participating in formal and informal recreation and sport Open spaces and facilities: our parks and facilities are meeting the changing needs of our communities and are increasingly used Treasured parks, natural landscapes, flora and fauna: understanding, protecting and restoring our ecosystems and biodiversity, and our parks and landscapes bringing people together to celebrate our cultures and heritage We work with others: having strong relationships with tangata whenua, and creating effective local and national partnerships | Percentage of residents who participate in physical activity 5 or more days a week Percentage of residents using a park, reserve and/or open space and/or recreation facility at least once a month |
Refreshing the Strategic Framework
In 2020, a high-level stocktake of the existing Strategic Framework was conducted. Based on this, the DCC will refresh the Framework, beginning work in the first year of this 10 year plan period. The Thriving Cities’ City Portrait model of sustainability will be adapted as part of this refresh.
The objectives of the Strategic Framework refresh project are to enable a review and update DCC’s strategies in a manner that is inclusive of mana whenua and the community, and addresses issues highlighted in the 2020 review. The project will achieve this by:
- Developing a good understanding of the DCC’s current state and defining common principles and governance procedures to inform development of all strategies.
- Embedding the Thriving Cities – City Portrait model as a means of defining and measuring sustainable outcomes desired for Dunedin.
- Improving DCC partnership with mana whenua generally, with a focus on:
- articulation of what Treaty principles will underpin the Strategic Framework
- exploration of what sustainability and sustainable outcomes means to mana whenua
- exploration of how a Te Ao Māori worldview can be used to develop a City Portrait, including examination of the doughnut economics model.
- Improving partnership with the Dunedin community and promoting the collaborative effort needed for success.
- Reviewing and updating DCC’s strategies and reviewing these against strategic priorities identified through the City Portrait process.
- Enabling implementation of defined sustainable outcomes and ongoing monitoring and adjustment of the strategic objectives, while maintaining an integrated and collaborative approach.
- Reviewing Levels of Service in alignment with the updated strategic priorities.
Dunedin’s residents will have the opportunity to contribute to, and collaborate on the development of a new Strategic Framework over the course of this project.
Our Zero Carbon 2030 goal
Climate change is a global problem requiring global action. New Zealand has signed the Paris Agreement, which commits New Zealand to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2019, the Government passed the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act. The Zero Carbon Act provides a framework by which New Zealand can develop and implement clear and stable climate change policies that:
- contribute to the global effort to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels
- allow New Zealand to prepare for, and adapt to, the effects of climate change.
The Zero Carbon Act also sets out a new climate change programme, a new national target to cut emissions, and establishes an independent Climate Commission to provide advice and leadership on both emission reduction and adaptation.
In June 2019, Council declared a climate emergency and set the ambitious goal for Dunedin city to be net carbon neutral by 2030, adopting a two-part ‘Zero Carbon 2030’ target, as follows:
- net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases other than biogenic methane by 2030, and
- 24 to 47 percent reduction below 2017 biogenic methane emissions by 2050, including 10 percent reduction below 2017 biogenic methane emissions by 2030.
The first comprehensive snapshot of Dunedin’s emissions profile as a city was produced by the DCC in 2016. An updated emissions profile for the city has just been completed, using data for the 2018/19 year. In 2018/19, Dunedin emitted a gross 1,573,008 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), an increase of 1% on 2014/15 emissions.
The DCC has been measuring and reporting its organisational emissions since 2013/14. In 2018/19, the DCC’s activities generated 41,852.88 tCO2e. This was down from a peak of 56,892.49 tCO2e in the 2017/18 year, but still represents an increase of 49% on 2013/14 emissions.
To achieve net zero emissions by 2030, both the DCC and the city will need to do things differently as we move to a zero carbon future. Initial steps to Dunedin being zero carbon by 2030 are set out in this plan.
Impacts of climate change on Dunedin
The impacts of climate change are being felt around the world. By the end of this century New Zealand will experience higher rainfall, more frequent extreme weather events, rising sea levels and higher temperatures. New Zealand communities are particularly vulnerable to changes in sea level and extreme rainfall because many of New Zealand’s towns and cities are built on the coast or near rivers. The impacts of climate change may have a major impact on New Zealand society and everyday Kiwi’s wellbeing now and into the future.
The first comprehensive review of Dunedin’s climate change vulnerability and risk as a city was produced by the Dunedin City Council (DCC) in 2016. This review Dunedin faces significant risks from sea level rise and rainfall (resulting in flooding) and its impact on human health, critical infrastructure, water resources and ecosystems.
South Dunedin in particular, has a higher level of risk to natural hazards. Prior to European settlement, most of the South Dunedin area comprised wetlands, salt marsh, mudflats, lagoon and low sand dunes. South Dunedin now sits on reclaimed land, and much of this, when combined with high ground water, seasonal conditions, and tidal fluctuations, is susceptible to inundation, and infiltration of the stormwater and wastewater networks. Groundwater levels are projected to rise as sea levels rise, increasing the frequency of flooding and inundation. South Dunedin is also home to a community of thousands of people along with schools, businesses, and a significant amount of city infrastructure. Along the coastline, the dune system at St Kilda and St Clair is eroding, reducing natural character and restricting access the beach. These existing coastal erosion issues will be exacerbated by climate change.
Other parts of the city are also low-lying and exposed to either flooding (such as the Taieri Plains) and/or coastal hazards in other coastal areas. Increases in the intensity, duration and frequency of rainfall will influence how stormwater and other infrastructure, including flood protection, water supply and wastewater services will be managed.
The DCC’s work on adapting to climate change has a particular focus on South Dunedin as the area of highest risk. The DCC has been working with the Otago Regional Council, the community, mana whenua, Central Government and others to understand what is happening in South Dunedin, build resilience, identify opportunities and options, and create plans for long-term adaptation. Initial actions to reduce the impacts of climate change on Dunedin are set out in this plan.
A growing city
Like many of New Zealand’s major urban centres, Dunedin is experiencing a period of rapid population growth. Such rapid growth brings many positives however it can also create pressure on land and infrastructure to accommodate growth and on the housing market.
Dunedin’s population is projected to grow at a faster rate until 2033, reaching a population of 141,417. From 2033 onwards the population growth rate will begin to taper off. Dunedin’s population is also projected to age. By 2038 the 65 years and over demographic will be our second largest age group (after those aged 25 years and under).
Dunedin’s dwelling numbers will experience similar trends to the Dunedin population; experiencing a sharp rate of expansion until 2038 reaching a total of 60,511 dwellings before growth slows.
Since February 2020, the New Zealand economy has undergone a significant period of upheaval due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has created uncertainty around Dunedin’s growth and economy into the future. In June 2020, the DCC commissioned a review of the DCC’s growth projections to assess the impact of theCOVID-19 recession and border restrictions. While the review did not anticipate significant differences in population and dwelling growth as a result of the pandemic, there is greater uncertainty around future growth as a result of the pandemic, particularly over the longer term.
Under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development, Dunedin is categorised as a tier 2 urban environment. This brings into effect a range of provisions relating to growth planning, such as assessing the amount of development capacity that is required. The DCC is planning for growth in numerous ways. Work is underway to enable further development capacity under the Second Generation Plan (2GP) and provide for infrastructure to accommodate anticipated growth. DCC is also preparing to start work on a Future Development Strategy, which will look at where and how Dunedin will grow over the next 30 years.