Summary of community consultation | whakarāpopoto o te akoako hapori

Community feedback

Community engagement on the draft 9 year plan 2025-34 took place between 31 March and 30 April 2025. A consultation document was developed and distributed to the community. It set out key issues and proposals for the 9 year plan.

The consultation document sought specific feedback on two topics: the property at 231 Stuart Street and entry charges for international visitors. It also invited general feedback.

The consultation document and draft 9 year plan were shared on the DCC website, along with supporting documentation to help the community to understand the challenges Council is facing.

Council received 801 submissions (both online and as hard copies), social media comments and feedback through community engagement events and activities. Public hearings were held from 5 to 8 May 2025, where 136 members of the community spoke directly to councillors on their submission.

All of the community feedback was categorised into 58 topics. The 20 most commented on topics were:

Council decision making

Council considered the community feedback received at its deliberations meeting on Monday 26 May to Thursday 29 May 2025. The following is a summary of the decisions made at that meeting. A complete record of the decisions can be found in the meeting minutes on the DCC website.

Entry charges for international visitors

Community feedback was sought on two options for international visitor entry fees at Toitū and Dunedin
Public Art Gallery (DPAG).

• Option 1: Introduce an entry charge of $20 (incl. GST) for international visitors aged 16 and over at Toitū and DPAG
• Option 2: No entry fee  to Toitū and DPAG for international visitors - CHOSEN OPTION

What we heard from community submissions

• 59% preferred Option 1
• 41% preferred Option 2
• The most frequent theme among submitters on this topic was that the proposed entry fee was too high. Many suggested $10 as a more appropriate alternative.
• Some of those that preferred Option 1 referred to paying entry fees at cultural attractions overseas and felt that international visitors to Dunedin should do the same.
• Some of those that preferred Option 2 felt that charging an entry fee to international visitors was unwelcoming and inconsistent with the principle of manākitaka.
• There were also comments around the modest projected revenue, which was not seen as worth the difficulty in administrative effort to collect the proposed fee.

The Council adopted Option 2, no entry fee to Toitū and DPAG for international visitors, as Council felt that the reasons for not charging an entry fee were more compelling than the reasons given by those supporting it. Instead, updated signage relating to donations will be
implemented.

231 Stuart Street(formerly the Fortune Theatre)

Council sought community feedback on two options for 231 Stuart Street (formerly the Fortune Theatre).

• Option 1: Revise the DCC Significance and Engagement Policy by removing ‘231 Stuart Street’ from the Policy’s list of strategic assets - CHOSEN OPTION
• Option 2: Keep ‘231 Stuart Street’ on the DCC Significance and Engagement Policy’s list of strategic assets

What we heard from community submissions

• 65% preferred Option 1
• 35% preferred Option 2
• Some of those that preferred Option 1 also supported the property being sold. There were comments that the property is not fit-for-purpose as a theatre.
• Some of those that preferred Option 2 thought the      property could be revitalised for use as a theatre, community space or arts hub.
• Submitters on both sides expressed a desire for Council to protect the property from potential demolition.

The Council adopted Option 1, revising the DCC Significance and Engagement Policy by removing ‘231 Stuart Street’ from the Policy’s list of strategic assets, with the revised Policy coming into force on 1 July 2025.

Dunedin Tunnels Trail

Proposed: Due to changes in NZTA co-funding, it was proposed to delay funding of $1 million for the Dunedin urban cycleways tunnels trail to year 9 of the plan (2033/34).

What we heard from community submissions: there was strong support for the project, with 98% of submitters on the topic backing its continuation.

While no additional funding was included in the 9 year plan for the Dunedin Tunnels Trail, Council agreed to work with the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust to maximise use of the existing budget for the Chain Hills Tunnel phase, and to support the Trust to implement
subsequent stages of the trail through independent fundraising.

Performing Arts

Proposed: Funding for a new performing arts venue that was included in the previous 10 year plan 2021-31 was removed from the draft budget for consultation.

What we heard from community submissions: there was strong support for a new performing arts venue, with 95% of submitters on the topic strongly advocating for reinstating the funding.

Following community feedback, Council approved the following:

• Establishment of a Performing Arts Governance Group to oversee the development of a Theatre Action Plan
• Grant funding of $3.35 million to the Dunedin Repertory Theatre Society Incorporated in 2027/28 for renovation of the Playhouse Theatre
• Grant funding of $4.25 million to Zeal Land Ltd in 2028/29 for renovation of the Athenaeum
• Seed funding of $9.5 million in 2030/31 for a new performing arts facility
• Grant funding of $50,000 per annum (inflation adjusted from 2026/27) to the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust for 3 years from 2025/26 for the running of Te Whare o Rukutia.

Zero Carbon

Proposed: Prior to the consultation period, Council considered two investment packages to accelerate efforts towards Zero Carbon targets, in addition to work already underway. However, neither package was included in the draft budget for consultation.

What we heard from community submissions: 86% of submitters on the topic referenced the Zero Carbon investment packages, with all in support of additional investment. Infrastructure and network improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport were frequently mentioned.

After receiving community feedback, Council approved the following:

• Operating expenditure of $151,000 for a Green and  Blue Networks Plan (2025/26)
• Operating expenditure of $3.118 million for a transport 'high investment' package (2027/28 onwards)
• Capital expenditure of $66 million for a transport 'high investment' package (2027/28 onwards)

Smooth Hill

The DCC has resource consent to replace Green Island landfill with a modern, top-class landfill at its Smooth Hill site on Big Stone Road. In November 2024, Council resolved to proceed with construction at Smooth Hill independently, rather than pursuing a partnership model or exporting waste outside the district.

A number of submitters commented on Smooth Hill, opposing its construction. Construction and operational costs, thoroughness of Council’s due diligence and environmental impacts were key concerns raised by submitters.

After receiving community feedback, Council reconfirmed its decision to allocate $92.4 million to build a landfill at Smooth Hill. This reconfirmation was based on several factors, including:

• While short-term costs may be higher than alternative options, long-term forecasts indicate significantly lower overall costs.
• Independent consultants conducted a comprehensive analysis of three short-listed options, supported by additional assessments carried out over many years.
• Resource consent includes conditions designed to manage environmental impacts, such as isolating, collecting, and storing landfill leachate, and monitoring Southern Black Backed Gull populations.

Edgar Centre

While this was not a consultation topic, community submissions raised the need to replace the Edgar Centre roof due to ongoing issues with the current roof.

Council approved the following capital expenditure, with timing of the replacement to be confirmed following completion of the detailed design:

• $360,000 to undertake detailed design for a replacement roof (2025/26)
• $15 million over two years for replacement of the Edgar Centre roof (2026/27 to 2027/28)

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd and Dunedin Stadium Property Ltd

Council confirmed its decision to provide $2 million, of which $1.645 million is for events attraction funding to Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, and $355,000 is to service debt in Dunedin Stadium Property Ltd

Dunedin Railways Ltd

Proposed: To restore funding to DRL so it can fully reinstate the Taieri Gorge railway train excursions. DCHL has been directed to provide funding to DRL to assist with this.

What we heard from community submissions: The majority (54%) of submitters on this topic were in support of funding rail services, emphasising the importance of rail for tourism. Those opposed suggested alternatives such as converting the railway into a cycleway.

After receiving community feedback, Council did not alter its previous decision to reinstate Dunedin Railways Ltd.

Funding requests

A number of funding requests were received during the community engagement period. Council decided to support the following requests:

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