Consulting on

The areas that had the strongest calls for us to do more were infrastructure and the environment. We heard that whatever form of transport people use, they want to be able to get around the city more easily. Respondents wanted to see improvements to roading, along with better footpaths and cycleways to support active transport. Respondents commented on the need to maintain roadside verges. They wanted Ōtepoti Dunedin to be a sustainable and resilient city with less waste, strong biodiversity and a healthy environment.

Respondents commented on:

• the need for more support for small business and for the city’s arts, culture and music sectors.
• concerns about the impact of increases to rates and fees.
• the importance of community wellbeing.
• the need for action to increase community housing and address homelessness.
• the need for more investment in the three waters network.
• upgrades to a range of parks and recreational facilities.

Kā kaupapa ahi tūtata, me whai wāhi mai koutou

What we need your input on

231 Stuart Street (formerly Fortune Theatre)

Since 2000, we have owned 231 Stuart Street (the property). It was operated as a professional theatre venue by the Fortune Theatre Trust from 1978. In support of the Trust’s performing arts activities, the DCC took ownership of the property to relieve the Trust of the property’s maintenance cost. The Trust ended its use in 2018 and the property has now been vacant for seven years.

The DCC and Creative NZ have jointly investigated the future of performing arts in the city and recognise the need for a flexible, mid-sized venue. The investigation considered whether the property would meet that need but found it wouldn’t because it was too small and wouldn’t provide enough seating to be an economically viable theatre.

This property sits within our Significance and Engagement Policy because it was identified as a strategic asset.

However, since the property no longer fits with any DCC strategic plans or policies, we’re asking you about whether we remove the property from the strategic asset list.

Why does it matter?

The property is identified by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as a category one heritage building, and protected by the District Plan. Our investigations show the property would not be an economically viable theatre, therefore it is no longer necessary for it to be on our list of strategic assets.

Should you agree to remove this property from the strategic asset list, the DCC will have the flexibility to consider the future of 231 Stuart Street, including the possibility of a sale, without requiring formal consultation.

Removing this property from the list does not have any impact on rates, debt or levels of service. Any impact would only occur if a decision is made in the future to sell 231 Stuart Street.

Question 1:

Should we remove 231 Stuart Street (formerly the Fortune Theatre) from the list of strategic assets in our Significance and Engagement policy?

• Revise the DCC Significance and Engagement policy by removing ‘231 Stuart Street (formerly the Fortune Theatre)’ from the policy’s list of strategic assets. (Preferred option)
• Keep 231 Stuart Street on the DCC Significance and Engagement policy list of strategic assets. (Alternative option)

International visitor entry fees –Toitū and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery

As part of the fees and charges introduced in this 9 year plan, we propose bringing in a $20 entry fee at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum (Toitū) and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery (DPAG) for international visitors aged 16 and over.

Our priority is to make all visitors feel welcome to our cultural institutions and ensure accessibility is paramount. New Zealanders can continue to come through our doors for free, but we are proposing the introduction of an entry fee for international visitors.

Introducing fees will increase our revenue from these cultural institutions, with an estimated income of $150,000 per year, even if visitor numbers go down initially. Rates will reduce each year by the amount of revenue recieved. No additional budget will be required for staffing or marketing and there will be no impact on levels of service or debt.

Why does it matter?

Our cultural institutions hold valuable collections of art and share the stories and taoka of the people of Ōtepoti Dunedin – they are also among the most visited in the country when compared to their city’s population. The cost of providing these services is substantial, and charging a fee means costs will be shared by the thousands of visitors to the city who enjoy them every year.

Having entry fees for galleries and museums is common practice in other cities. Introducing entry fees means we can increase our revenue over the long term.

Question 2: Which option do you prefer?

Tell us what you think and make a submission

To help us make good decisions, it’s important to hear what you think about the questions on this page. We also want to know what you think about the proposed spending and projects for the next nine years. You can give as much or as little feedback as you want – and on any topic. Visit We want to hear from you to find out details about how to join the conversation or go straight to our online submission form and tell us what you think.

• Introduce an entry charge of $20 (incl. GST) for international visitors aged 16 and over, at Toitū and the DPAG (Preferred option)
• No entry fee to Toitū and the DPAG for international visitors (Alternative option)