Councillors debate exploring a new direction in social housing and a new strategic relationship with India

Councillors were asked to consider two Notices of Motion during the second day of this week’s Dunedin City Council meeting.

Draft Social Housing Policy

Council staff have been asked to develop a Draft Social Housing Policy to enable Council to consider its role and objectives for social housing, including the future role of its Community Housing portfolio and opportunities for partnerships.

The draft Policy will inform implementation of the Housing Action Plan and development of the 207-2037 Long Term Plan.

Council currently provides 940 community housing units primarily for older people in urgent need of housing. The Notice of Motion, brought by Cr Marie Laufiso, asked council to find a way to respond to a broader housing need, financial pressures, and a changing housing environment across Dunedin.

The Motion was carried with Mayor Barker, Cr Chambers, Cr Garey, Cr Hall, Cr Laufiso, Cr Mayhem, Cr Ong, Cr Treadwell, and Cr Walker voting for developing the draft Social Housing Policy.

Cr Lucas, Cr Lund, Cr Galer and Cr Weatherall voted against it.

Strategic relationship with India

The Notice of Motion brought by Cr Benedict Ong asked councillors to consider exploring strategic opportunities arising from the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement and the strengthening strategic relationship between New Zealand and India.

The request was that the DCC work with Otago University to investigate opportunities to establish a Sister City, Friendship City, or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a suitable Indian city to support both the city’s and university’s plans in the region.

The discussion noted that any additional sister city relationships are currently unbudgeted and would need to be considered before a sister city, friendship city or similar agreement was signed by the Dunedin City Council.

Cr Ong, Cr Lund and Cr Galer voted to progress the initiative.

However the Motion was lost with Mayor Barker, Cr Chambers, Cr Garey, Cr Hall, Cr Lucas, Cr Laufiso, Cr Mayhem, Cr Treadwell, Cr Walker, and Cr Weatherall voting against it.

Community feedback sought for safer ways to wheel, walk and cycle around Ōtepoti Dunedin

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