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?
Should we charge an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST) for international visitors aged 16 and over, at Toitū and Dunedin Public Art Gallery?
Yes, introduce an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST) (this is our preferred option)
Do you have any comments about the entry fee for international visitors?
It would be good to revisit this again after a certain number of years to consider the pros-and-cons having implemented it. I like our city to play a good host and to be generous. Though, I see increasingly throughout NZ such facilities have added a similar charge. I think it makes sense to trial this at least - but let's not necessarily say this is a permanent change.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Community Housing
A small sensible house at a low cost is indeed one aspect of community housing - one which I'm glad the City provides. Increasingly, however, it is much more than just the cost. It's about stability. To go into DCC community housing means you have the assurance of a reliable housing provider. You're not going to suddenly get kicked out in your old age and have to scramble for somewhere. You can stay there until you can no longer live independently. I would like the DCC to continue to look at providing community housing in the meantime EVEN IF IT IS AT A HIGH(ER) COST TO THE TENANT. I'm sure you will still be able to fill the tenancies! And if the issue is that you don't want to use the limited budget or increase the amount you borrow, get a bit more financially creative! There'll be a structure you can set it up with an external provider. Again, I want to emphasise, the concern for an elderly renter is that they can be kicked out for no reason at all with minimal notice.
Tunnels Trail
I understand that with the current lack of funding from the central government, the trail cannot be completed to the planned specifications. I understand, however, that the trust would be interested in completing the trail in the meantime to a lower standard with other funding they can explore. It makes every sense to me to allow the trust to take the reins for now until DCC has the funding at a later date - be it 9 years later.
Foulden Maar
I must admit I had very little knowledge on the site when it first hit the news several years ago with a mining company looking to mine the site. A wise group of people got together and the DCC fortunately was able to save it. Saved it for the purpose of archaeology as I understand it. I am hearing that we’re lucky enough to have archaeologists interested enough to study the site but now the DCC is limiting access. My thoughts are that if the mining company would have been permitted to utterly destroy the site, we only ought to allow the scientists to do with the site as they please. It's not like they’re going to do even a thousandth of harm to the long-term availability of the site. The site was saved for the very purpose of being studied by scientists.
Buses
This isn’t something I see actively being talked about anymore but I think worth mentioning to reaffirm the DCC’s current stance. In some previous years, there was an attempt to take over Dunedin’s bus service from the ORC. Since then, the ORC has made very significant investments and improvements to the service including providing bus schedules through apps which are simple to use, live bus tracking, better timetables, simplified pricing, and a fleet of electric buses. I am very happy with the current bus service in Dunedin and the direction it is going. The ORC has proved it is capable of retaining the running of bus services for Dunedin. Therefore, the DCC should continue with its current position of not seeking to take over the bus service.
Peninsula Connection
I’m glad to hear this will be completed. We ought to have a celebration for the city (some small event at least anyway!) when the full connection is completed! Perhaps a targeted tourism campaign highlighting this as well.
Music and Performance Venues
For the past several years, there has been much talk and debate on this subject. The Fortune Theatre, Sammy’s, a new building, & refurbishing another building have been part of all that discussion. From a layman’s perspective, I don’t think a strong enough case has been made for significant investment into any of these options yet. Are all of our existing facilities being used so much already that other groups simply cannot use the existing facilities? Instead, the money might perhaps serve the industry better by going towards creative groups (plays, musicals, musicians, and other performances) which in turn hire existing facilities and help fund the facilities into the future.
Local Water Done Well feedback
Which water services delivery model do you support?
The Council’s preferred option: an in-house delivery model
Why did you choose this option?
I think it's a great plan to build us real expertise with staff invested in a long-term vision for our city. I think this would work better than one-off external consultants and contractors etc.
I am very very pleased to hear Dunedin has a good plan in place to make significant progress with its water. It will be a valuable asset for generations and I'm so glad to hear Dunedin is getting on with it while other cities appear to continue to delay taking decisive action.
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: 1132570
Submitter name:
Nathan Woodfield
Organisation