Cr Vandervis (LGOIMA) on $2 million “interest underspend”

RAINS ON CR RICHARD THOMSON’S PARADE . . . .
—HIS “TIMELY” INTERNATIONAL CRICKET LIGHTS MOTION

Received from Lee Vandervis
‎Sun‎, ‎31‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 ‎at 9‎:‎56‎ ‎p.m.

From: Lee Vandervis
Date: Sun, 24 May 2015 08:44:52 +1200
To: Sue Bidrose [CEO, DCC], Grant McKenzie [GCFO, DCC]
Conversation: Timing of announcement of budgeted $2m not spent – LGOIMA info request
Subject: Timing of announcement of budgeted $2m not spent – LGOIMA info request

Dear Sue and Grant,

The timing of our CFO’s announcement of the budgeted $2m not spent half way through our last week’s LTP discussions was independently questioned by myself, Cr. Calvert, and DCC watchdog Calvin Oaten.
This overbudget was characterised by Cr. Thomson as an “underspend” and by Cr. Bezett as “a fortuitous fund to dip into”, and was promptly dipped into to fund Cr. Thomson’s moved $1million for International Cricket lights.

I asked CFO McKenzie in the following break why he had chosen that time immediately prior to Cr. Thomson’s International Cricket light’s motion to make the $2 million announcement and he replied “Because I was asked to”, which raises the further questions:

1 – Who it was that asked our CFO to make that $2 million announcement?
2 – When did that person ask our CFO to make that $2 million announcement?
3 – Whose decision was it to make the announcement at that particular time during our funding decision discussions?

Kind regards,
Cr. Vandervis

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From: Cindy Ashley [DCC]
Date: Thu, 28 May 2015 04:13:12 +0000
To: Lee Vandervis
Cc: Grace Ockwell [DCC]
Subject: Timing of Announcement at LTP of $2 million Unspent

Dear Councillor Vandervis,

I refer to your email of 24 May 2015 sent to both the CEO, Dr Bidrose and Group Chief Financial Officer, Grant McKenzie.

Your request has been considered under the provisions of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) and the following response is provided.

I have repeated and numbered your questions to give context to our response.

1 – Who it was that asked our CFO to make that $2 million announcement?

Finance staff were asked by the Chair of the Finance Committee to get an update on the current year’s underspend. Earlier estimates of the level of interest underspend had been supplied to all Councillors on a number of occasions previously. Most recently prior to the Long Term Plan (LTP) this information was provided through the monthly finance reports that went to the Finance Committee on the 4th of May (page 4.6) where the underspend on interest expense for the nine month period to March was $1.606 million. In addition, the underspend was also referred to in two reports that were provided to Council as part of the LTP process, specifically in report 9 – paragraph 12, and in report 22- paragraph 10.

An update was requested at the LTP process as another month had passed since the March update figures had been prepared, and the Chair of Finance wanted to know if the April result could be made available.

2 – When did that person ask our CFO to make that $2 million announcement?

Because the Chair of Finance had asked if the updated result was available and it was, the Mayor asked the update be provided as part of the deliberations for that day so that all the Councillors had the updated information. Mr McKenzie then wrote an additional memorandum explaining the underspend in the current financial year, following a request from Councillor Calvert to Dr Bidrose for this information.

3 – Whose decision was it to make the announcement at that particular time during our funding decision discussions?

As Chair of the meeting, the Mayor asked that the information be provided, as it was available, in order to ensure that all Councillors had access to the latest updated figures of interest underspend, as had been provided in the earlier reports referred to in our response to question 2.

If you have any questions or require further information please contact Mr McKenzie.

Yours sincerely,

Grace Ockwell
Governance Support Officer
Dunedin City Council

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

ODT weekend mix —Lee Vandervis

Updated post Mon, 1 Jun 2015 at 1:37 p.m.

This weekend’s newspaper magazine has THAT face plastered over page one. The accompanying feature article (pages 6-8) is now available online.

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Lee Vandervis knows that people either love him or loathe him and he doesn’t care. Kim Dungey finds out what drives Dunedin’s most controversial city councillor. Otago Daily Times

After five years in London working as an acoustic engineer and building mixing consoles for the likes of Stevie Wonder and Pink Floyd, he returned to Dunedin in 1981 and set up his own sound and lighting business.

Pink Floyd Published on Jun 25, 2014
Pink Floyd – Money (Official Music Video)
The official promo video for ‘Money’ by Pink Floyd, taken from the album ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’.
Originally released in 1973, ‘The Dark Side of The Moon’ became Pink Floyd’s first number 1 album in the US, remaining on the chart for 741 weeks between 1973 and 1988. One of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed albums of all time, The Dark Side of The Moon also introduced the iconic album cover artwork by Hipgnosis, after a request for a ‘simple and bold’ design.
Music: “Money (2011 Remastered Version)” by Pink Floyd (Google Play • iTunes)

“I’ve had a ring from the chemist. He says you’ve bought these chemicals that could make a very large explosion.” –Mrs Vandervis, on her 11-year-old son’s decision to manufacture gunpowder.

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Mix (page 8), ODT

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Related Posts and Comments:
26.5.15 WCC’s free lunch for a car | Vandervis challenges DCC legal advice
24.5.15 Dunedin City not the only council with a code of silence
23.5.15 DCC rates rise | ODT editor nonplussed
21.5.15 Tomorrow’s newspaper —Cull on CST
21.5.15 DCC and LGNZ, total losers
20.5.15 What Audit NZ really says in DCC LTP consultation document….
19.5.15 DCC LTP must meet $68M budget shortfall over next decade
19.5.15 Ode to sickly DCC
17.5.15 Cr Vandervis on DCC project budgets
7.5.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16-2024/25 —public submissions online
6.5.15 Cr Vandervis gives mayor new desk ornament, with love
5.5.15 Subtle news….
4.5.15 Hmmmmmm #DCC
2.5.15 DCC … LEGAL to remove ELECTED Councillor voting rights ??
● 1.5.15 Cr Vandervis unlikely to quit several missions #coverup #naturaljustice
● 30.4.15 Burn Robbie Burn!
● 29.4.15 Cr Vandervis offers full (and conditional!) apology
● 29.4.15 The ol’ BP Gag treatment revisited….
● 28.4.15 Today at DCC in pictures
● 24.4.15 Before Council meeting tomorrow at 1:00 PM
● 24.4.15 Cr Vandervis replies to local newspaper
● 24.4.15 DCC re Dr Bidrose’s time as most senior Citifleet Manager
● 23.4.15 DCC severely FAILS councillor #naturaljustice #contempt
● 15.4.15 Cr Lee Vandervis: Open Letter to the DCC Code of Conduct Committee
18.3.15 Lee Vandervis releases emails #Citifleet investigation
17.3.15 DCC whistleblowing —what is open government ?
13.3.15 Cr Lee Vandervis: LGOIMA…. Citifleet Investigation – Deloitte Report
26.2.15 DCC and the day(s) of Madness
● 23.2.15 Lee Vandervis on DCC Code of Conduct process … #naturaljustice
● 15.2.15 DCC…. ‘CEO Bidrose confirms no Vandervis complaint with a hug’
● 6.2.15 Cr Lee Vandervis apology
● 5.1.15 DCC: Chairman denies true and correct Council record
19.12.14 Vandervis: Deloitte and Police Citifleet investigations
19.12.14 DCC Citifleet by email . . . . woops! (another timeline proof)
18.12.14 DCC: Deloitte report released on Citifleet #whitewash
24.10.14 DCC Citifleet, more revelations….
21.10.14 DCC Citifleet, undetectable….
3.10.14 Vandervis family residence #HistoricHeritage
1.9.14 DCC Fraud: Further official information in reply to Cr Vandervis
30.8.14 DCC Fraud: Cr Vandervis states urgent need for facts….

█ For more, enter the terms *vandervis*, *cull*, *bidrose*, *citifleet* or *deloitte* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student

Received from Anon
Fri, 29 May 2015 at 3:56 p.m.

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█ Critic Editorial | Issue 12
Stereotypical Poison – We’re Bigger Than That
Posted 10:20am Sunday 17 May 2015 by Josie Cochrane
At the time we sent this issue to print, 3300 people had signed a petition demanding an apology from TVNZ for its “biased report on Dunedin students” during the Sunday show over a week ago. TVNZ won’t apologise. What it’s done is no different to what we all do.

Related Posts and Comments:
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions, real story….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
9.1.14 Facadism: … University of Otago warps Castle Street
19.8.13 Cull on senility (firing up graduates)
24.7.13 University: Leith flood protection scheme and landscaping
31.5.13 University of Otago development plans
25.3.13 UoO: NEGATIVE PRESS: Weekly disorder in Dunedin campus area
20.2.12 University of Otago student orientation
17.2.12 Salvation Army: The Growing Divide
17.12.11 Stadium + Cull love = University of Otago + OUSA party
23.11.11 Judge Oke Blaikie finally said it
9.11.11 DCC has PR problem

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud* or *student* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Design alternatives to (pre-selected) bridge not canvassed by DCC

GOODBYE to Rattray St VIEW Shaft from Queens Gardens to the waterside.

HELLO to other serious impediments to unique and very significant harbourside cultural heritage and landscape values at the planned city.

Here is another DCC-inspired critically dead PLONK OBJECT.
An overhead rail bridge. Who gains.

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DCC files: Harbourside connector Rattray Fryatt Streets [click to enlarge]

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It looks innocuous, nothing to scare the horses. A simple sling over the tracks at an estimated a cost of “about $3 million”.

What’s the fuss? Ahhh well.
The history of political deception through use of loose architectural sketches is tied (here as anywhere) to DCC departmental reports and estimates that hardly ever approximate REAL cost. Multiply by two.

Then the idea that the “hotel” is back on the drawing boards, if not a screw-us invitation to Asian investment for the south side.

By all means let’s escalate this (an idea) – the tame little cheapie bridge (pictured above, significantly downplayed structurally as a pencil mark) is another potential rort in the grand family of Council rorts that includes the Stadium*, Centre for High Performance Sport*, Carisbrook*, Dunedin Town Hall Redevelopment*, Citifleet*, City Forests*, Delta investments (severally)*, Cycle Network et al, and very probably the proposed Mosgiel pool if it gains traction for Taieri property speculators. For each, an independent forensic audit isn’t out of the question – for ratepayer ‘information’ that could depose the Council in favour of a Commissioner, presupposing later redress at Court. Visit resort to the *Crimes Act. Now, there’s a ‘visitor strategy’ for Dunedin !!

Meekly, more circumspectly (after all, it was just an idea, a stretch), those of us trained in architectural rendering and graphics as well as contemporary design philosophy of the marketplace know the tricks intimately; we’re not above exploiting them for a quick buck and a further string of new jobs by secret handshake.

Lucky for some, each deal at Dunedin (with links to Queenstown and Auckland if via Christchurch lawyers and accountants) can be sown up by a very small number of predatory boys. The same list we’ve had on our backburner books tracing the Stadium debacle —beginning to rise apparent at the ODT front page of Friday, 22 May 2015. An intriguing warning shot.

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But is this right ? Has Dunedin City Council been wowed by just one bridge proposal ? Has DCC in the first place only ever been looking for a bridge —not seeking opportunities for alternatives, such as a designer underpass or an immediately legible automatically controlled crossing at grade, for light vehicle transit as well (shared roads) ?

It’s pretty poor and conflicting if Dunedin City councillors and senior council management have indeed sold out (under a red-carpeted table) to a lone solicited vision of an overhead bridge UNTESTED BY PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION – another signature WHITE model, to augment those other visions in WHITE for ORC sites at the Steamer Basin —nicely, satisfyingly calculated by that little list of club players.

It’s not hard to imagine that this mere slip of a concrete and steel flyover, is an “enlightenment” carrying the City re-brand. A cause célèbre for ego-fired DCC infidels and speculator man-pals. The very people who can’t bear to endure sage, conservative, long-term economic modelling for Dunedin, taking the city and region through 10 to 50 years of solid management to ensure business diversity and job creation. No, they prefer ad hoc spurts and short-term squander plans (how manly, even when couched as the soft-illustrated 2011 Central City Plan FFS).

Where, for this crossing, is the city council’s reasonably time-lined, broadly advertised, professional design competition with clearly expressed intent to utilise open tendering methods for architectural design, engineering and construction ??

TO SAVE US FROM COI’S AND RORTS.

****

The Otago Daily Times has learned the bridge is among only a few New Zealand projects vying for the next allocation from the Urban Cycleway Fund.

### ODT Online Thu, 28 May 2015
Bridge on funding short list
By Chris Morris
A multimillion-dollar bridge linking Dunedin’s inner city and waterfront has been short-listed for Government funds. […] An announcement is expected next month, and, if successful, the bridge could be considered for construction over the next three years.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Dunedin Heritage Light Rail Trust Newsletters 2015

Received from Nev Jemmett
‎Tues, ‎26‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 ‎at 10‎:‎16‎ ‎a.m.

Vol 1 Issue 2 – May 2015 [click to enlarge]

█ Download: DHLRT May 2015 newsletter (DOC, 4 MB)

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Received from Nev Jemmett
‎Wed, ‎25‎ ‎February‎ ‎2015 at ‎10‎:‎56‎ ‎a.m.

Vol 1 Issue 1 – February 2015 [click to enlarge]

█ Download: DHLRT February 2015 newsletter (PDF, 2 MB)

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Related Posts and Comments:
4.11.14 Phillip George (Phil) Cole, RIP
5.6.14 DCC Transport Strategy and Riccarton Road
28.7.13 Dunedin Cable Car Trust – Public Meetings SUNDAY 28 July
14.2.13 Phil Cole on the High Street Cable Car
15.1.13 Return of High Street cable car
23.12.11 High Street cable car update
29.11.10 Phillip Cole on Dunedin buses
16.9.10 Pre-election opinions on public transport and the stadium
26.11.09 The Chronicles of Yarnia
19.10.09 Cable Car Meeting @Dunedin
27.8.10 Invitation to ALL #High St Cable Car
23.11.09 High Street Cable Car a possibility
9.7.09 Designing public transport for repeat use

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture

Letter received [click to enlarge]
‎Tue‎, ‎26‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 at ‎2‎:‎29‎ ‎p.m.

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Related Posts and Comments:
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions, real story outs
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

Photo: NZ Herald (via newstalkzb.co.nz)

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GinWigmoreVEVO Published on Apr 30, 2015
Gin Wigmore – New Rush (Official Video)
Single ‘New Rush’ from the forthcoming album ‘Blood To Bone’.
Directed by Zachariah de Cairo. Produced by Ranch Hand Entertainment.
Music: “New Rush” by Gin Wigmore (Google Play • iTunes)

UMNZ Uploaded on Feb 25, 2009
Smashproof feat. Gin Wigmore – Brother Official Video
Music: “Brother” by Smashproof (Google Play • iTunes)

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

WCC’s free lunch for a car | Vandervis challenges DCC legal advice

Received.
‎Tue‎, ‎26‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 ‎at 8‎:‎10‎ ‎a.m.

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 05:00, May 26 2015
Editorial: Councillors don’t deserve a free lunch
OPINION: It is odd that Wellington City Councillors think the ratepayers owe them a free lunch. They don’t. Councillors say they don’t have time to go out and get lunch, so they must carry on working without it. “People have been getting grumpy,” explains Councillor Andy Foster. Therefore, the ratepayers must provide lunch. This argument is truly ridiculous. It means, apparently, that the politicians are incapable of doing what everyone else does, which is to have lunch within the usual times. They will say, of course, that they are busier than the other people. […] The councillors are in the difficult position that two years ago they scrapped free lunches, partly as a cost-cutting measure and partly as a sign that they were willing to share the pain. If those arguments were valid then, they are still valid now. So consider the cost-cutting argument. Officials are now recommending a 5.1 per cent increase in rates in 2015. Part of this will be $20,000 for councillors’ free lunches. This is about half of what the councillors’ free lunches used to cost before they scrapped them in 2013. Some will say this is a reasonable “compromise”. […] Councillors might now argue that $20,000 is a piffling amount in the context of the capital city’s budget, and of course it is. But suppose a burglar stole a car worth $20,000 from the city council’s fleet. This is also a trifling sum in the context of the city’s property assets. Would the councillors wink at that too?
Read more

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Tears, spats and squabbles (note ODT url for the following item)….

### ODT Online Tue, 26 May 2015
Vandervis ‘contesting voting ban’
By Chris Morris
Dunedin city councillor Lee Vandervis says he has begun a legal challenge to reclaim his lost voting rights, although senior council staff remain in the dark about the details. His move came as yesterday’s full council meeting descended into increasingly bitter exchanges, most involving Cr Vandervis, who told one councillor to leave town and was advised by another to “shut up”.
Cr Vandervis, speaking at yesterday’s meeting, maintained the voting ban was “ultra vires”, as a councillor’s right to vote was “sacrosanct”. He also took exception to the accuracy of meeting minutes purporting to record the decision to remove his voting rights, as well as subsequent committee meetings.
Read more at http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/343501/tears-spats-and-squabbles

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Cr Vandervis said the council’s real success in the Warehouse Precinct had been to “get out of the way” of private developers.

### ODT Online Tue, 26 May 2015
DCC approval for Exchange work
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council is to press ahead with a $1.1 million plan to revamp Exchange Square and create new car-free zones in the Warehouse Precinct. Councillors at yesterday’s full council meeting voted to approve both projects for public consultation over the next few months, which could be followed by construction later this year.
Read more

● ODT: Council may bring forward Exchange works
● ODT: Jetty St pedestrian area proposed

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█ Report – Council – 25/05/2015 (PDF, 1004.9 KB)
Renewal and Upgrade of Exchange Square

█ Report – Council – 25/05/2015 (PDF, 2.8 MB)
Proposed Restriction of Vehicles From Sections of Jetty Street

Other information:
● Dunedin Central City Plan (all documents)
● Exchange Square Upgrade
● Urbanismplus: Dunedin Central City Framework (PDF, 9.7 MB)
This full report provides justification for a better city centre, a vision for the city centre, some strategic direction and finally an implementation plan. October 2011.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Dunedin City not the only council with a code of silence

Received.
‎Sun, ‎24‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 at ‎2‎:‎43‎ ‎p.m.

A Massey researcher is concerned that some local councils are gagging their elected members and stifling free speech.

Source: Massey University Te Kunenga Ki Purehuroa

Created: 02/12/2014 | Last updated: 16/12/2014
Councils’ conduct codes gag elected members
Dr Catherine Strong from the School Communication, Journalism and Marketing, says there is a disturbing paragraph creeping into some councils’ operating policies.
“It basically prevents elected members talking to the media about anything negative within their council. This includes council decisions, policies and overall reputations,” she says.
The research will be presented at the Journalism Education Association of New Zealand Conference in Christchurch on Thursday, and is a content analysis of codes of conduct of all 67 city and district councils in New Zealand.
While most councils clearly stated that elected members have the right to talk freely to the media (with obvious restrictions around confidential information and employment practices), the research found that 10 councils (15 per cent) restrict elected members giving critical opinion to the media.
This amounts to gagging the elected members – the very people who are representing the community, Dr Strong says. “They are not meant to be spin doctors for the council.” She suspects newly-elected councillors approve the entire 4000 word code of conduct without scrutinising the wording of the small media section within it.
Read more

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Dunedin City Council – Standing Orders (PDF, 1018 KB)
12 Aug 2014: The Standing Orders set out rules for the conduct meetings of the Dunedin City Council and includes the Code of Conduct for Elected Members, as adopted at the inaugural Council meeting Oct 2010.

█ For more, enter the terms *code*, *vandervis*, *naturaljustice*, and *citifleet* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC rates rise | ODT editor nonplussed

City councillors establish rates rise at 3.8%

● Noted. Great reporting by Eileen Goodwin.

THE FLAVOUR (via ODT)

Cr Hilary Calvert says the city council’s long term plan (LTP) deliberations involved “finding different piles of money under strange places”. The process had turned into a “financial shambles”. She was concerned that the 3% cap on rates increases would be breached in an additional six years of the 10-year plan.

Cr Lee Vandervis opposed the 3% increases, based as they are on a local government cost increase index that’s much higher than the consumer price index. During deliberations he spoke strongly against approving the council’s 2021 debt limit, saying the city’s situation was “terminal” and was stifling Dunedin’s development.

### ODT Online Sat, 23 May 2015
Council sets 3.8% rates rise
By Eileen Goodwin
An accusation of an “ambush” over finances tested tempers as the Dunedin City Council’s long-term plan hearing process concluded yesterday with provisional confirmation of a 3.8% rates rise. Councillors also approved a debt limit of $230 million by 2021, and got through the last individual proposals in the long-term plan.
Read more

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THE EDITORIAL

They have to be tough about what a small city can and should manage.

Councillors, and some of them are extremely experienced and have been through such debates for many years, are elected to make tough decisions. This council appears incapable of that discipline.

### ODT Online Sat, 23 May 2015
Cutting the council cloth
OPINION Here we go again. Anyone observing Dunedin City Council debates over the past two decades will be experiencing a sense of deja vu. Pressure goes on for more spending and the councillors crumble. This is the very council that, supposedly, gave itself a rates rise cap for the coming years – well above the inflation rate. […] The cap is being breached, the debt track is stretched and financial discipline is sacrificed to assuage public submissions and for what are often worthy causes.
Read more

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Related Posts and Comments:
21.5.15 Tomorrow’s newspaper —Cull on CST
21.5.15 DCC and LGNZ, total losers
20.5.15 What Audit NZ really says in DCC LTP consultation document…
19.5.15 DCC LTP must meet $68M budget shortfall over next decade
19.5.15 Mosgiel pool trust conflicts of interest #bigfishsmallpond
19.5.15 Ode to sickly DCC
18.5.15 DCC laundering – wring out Regent Theatre Trust, pump DVML
18.5.15 NEWSFLASH —Mosgiel pool, tracking [PONT]….
17.5.15 Cr Vandervis on DCC project budgets
7.5.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16-2024/25 —public submissions online [+hearings]
28.3.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16 to 2024/25 —CONSULTATION OPEN
25.3.15 DCC Long Term Plan: Green-dyed chickens home to roost
14.1.15 DCC Draft Long Term Plan: more inanity from Cull’s crew pending

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Text image: whatifdunedin

Tomorrow’s newspaper —Cull on CST

via 39 Dunedin News

Murray Kirkness says tomorrow’s ODT looks at Mayor Cull’s concerns about Carisbrook Stadium Trust.

****

[distraction][bodies, dance moves if bad prevails, how….]

“Just think while you’ve been getting down and out about the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world, You could’ve been getting down to this sick beat.”

TaylorSwiftVEVO Published on Aug 18, 2014
Taylor Swift – Shake It Off
Video: Taylor Swift performing Shake It Off. (C) 2014 Big Machine Records, LLC. “Shake It Off” features on Taylor’s album 1989.
Music: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift (Google Play • iTunes)

[seriously, crime fighting]

Published on May 17, 2015 TaylorSwiftVEVO
Taylor Swift – Bad Blood ft. Kendrick Lamar
Video: Taylor Swift performing Bad Blood. (C) 2015 Big Machine Records, LLC. “Bad Blood” from Taylor’s multi-platinum release 1989.

Taylor Swift as Catastrophe – Selena Gomez as Arsyn
Karlie Kloss as Knockout – Kendrick Lamar as Welvin Da Great
Martha Hunt as HomeSlice – Jessica Alba as Domino
Serayah as Dilemma – Lena Dunham as Lucky Fiori
Hailee Steinfeld as The Trinity – Ellie Goulding as Destructa X
GiGi Hadid as Slay-Z – Hayley Williams as The Crimson Curse
Zendaya as Cut-Throat – Lily Aldridge as Frostbyte
Ellen Pompeo as Luna – Mariska Hargitay as Justice
Cara Delevingne as Mother Chucker – Cindy Crawford as Headmistress

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Blue/Yellow Pompoms ft. in Shake It Off provided by Dunedin City Council.

DCC and LGNZ, total losers

TWO BLOG POSTS WORTH READING —AND DCC TWADDLE

Received.
‎Thu‎, ‎21‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 at ‎8‎:‎25‎ ‎a.m.

### interest.co.nz May 20, 2015 – 12:53pm
Business
Inaugural extensive survey of over 3000 citizens and businesses scores New Zealand’s councils just 29 out of 100 on reputation
Posted by David Hargreaves
New Zealand’s local government has collectively scored just 29 out of 100 in terms of overall reputation in an inaugural, nationwide, comprehensive survey. The New Zealand Local Government Survey of close to 3000 citizens and businesses across New Zealand was conducted last year by research firm Colmar Brunton. Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule said: “It is clear from this inaugural Survey that New Zealanders are seeking stronger leadership and performance than what they perceive us to currently provide. This gives us the mandate to lift the performance and perceptions of local government.” […] LGNZ says it and its membership councils are now embarking on “a significant programme of work to deliver improved performance and heighten the value that is delivered to communities by local governments across New Zealand”.
Read more + Comments

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‎Received.
Thu‎, ‎21‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 at ‎12‎:‎56‎ ‎p.m. and 1:19 p.m.
█ Message: DCC’s spin and b…shit dovetails nicely with this survey.
█ Message: Time to look at the role and funding of the LGNZ – it’s the breeding ground for this crap!!

### whaleoil.co.nz May 21, 2015 at 10:00am
Unacknowledged time bomb: Our dissatisfaction with local government
By Cameron Slater (citing Patrick Smellie, Newstalk ZB)
“….The average score for performance, which covered factors such as value for money, financial management and ability to manage community affairs, came in at 28 per cent. Local leadership scores averaged 26 per cent.” […] I think LGNZ should consider this a wake-up call. Councils are seriously mismanaging funds – denying money for library services but setting up Maori boards and LGBT advisory panels against the wishes of the rate payers. […] There is an ill wind blowing. The people aren’t going take the sorts of squandering, minority pandering, empire building and excessive year-on-year rates rises much longer. Local government in New Zealand is seriously out of control, and the fact that less than a third of New Zealanders think they’re doing OK is a dreadful indictment.
Read more

****

NOW, THE PUFF PIECE from nearest and dearest council bureaucrat-honkies WHO ARE SO CONTINUALLY AND RELIABLY DIVORCED FROM SUCCESS IN BUSINESS. Embarrassing. NO TRACK RECORD. FUTILE. DISTURBED. Lost a minimum of 152 fleet vehicles, blamed on one dead man.
Pssst, the mayor still admires and listens to Stuart McLauchlan of Delta, SCF, Rugby, UoO and other imprecise fame…….. ACE LEADERSHIP.

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Dunedin City Council – Media Release
DCC has Firm Focus on Helping Business

This item was published on 20 May 2015

Plenty of positive action is underway to help local businesses and promote economic development, the Dunedin City Council says.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) today released the results of its inaugural Local Government Survey, carried out from June to September last year, which asked the public and businesses about their perceptions of city, district and regional councils across New Zealand. This included a booster survey for Dunedin businesses.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, “The national results show local government has an image problem in general. We need to do more to make the community aware of what we do. This includes highlighting the broad range of services we provide, from local roads, street lights and sportsgrounds to libraries, events funding, and kerbside rubbish and recycling collection. We also need to improve our overall performance at an operational and governance level.”

The LGNZ Dunedin business booster results showed Dunedin businesses were less satisfied with local government’s role in economic development and regulation compared with the national average, but a recently completed DCC survey gives a much more positive picture.

“The LGNZ survey was carried out last year and a lot has changed since then. We recently commissioned a business satisfaction survey to help us get a better idea of how the DCC is perceived and where we need to lift our game.” Mr Cull says it is important to recognise the LGNZ survey was about reputation, whereas the DCC business survey centred on satisfaction levels of businesses that had actually used DCC services. “They both matter, but they are different.”

Director Enterprise Dunedin John Christie says the online anonymous survey targeted businesses which have had direct contact with the DCC over the past year. The survey closed on 6 May. Preliminary high level results show that of the respondents, about half agreed the DCC provides an environment that is ‘business friendly’, a quarter were neutral and just under a quarter disagreed. Almost half the respondents also agree the DCC is effective.

DCC General Manager Services and Development Simon Pickford says the survey highlighted areas where the DCC needs to improve. “We already work closely with developers and large businesses to make the process as easy as we can, through initiatives such as the ‘red carpet’ project. However, we can do a lot more to help small and medium sized businesses. In general, they want to do it right and follow the rules, but we don’t make it as easy as we could and we are putting a lot of thought and resources into changing that. We want to make sure all businesses receive excellent advice and support and business friendly service from the DCC.”

Mr Christie says it is good to have some clear, current messages from Dunedin businesses and he thanked them for taking the time to respond to the survey. “We get both good and bad anecdotal feedback, but what we needed was more detailed information so we get an understanding of the service businesses are receiving and where we can do more. These survey results will help us identify and respond to specific issues.” The DCC intends to carry out a regular business satisfaction survey. Mr Christie says there are many Economic Development Strategy initiatives which are working well and getting real results for the city. These include work being done through Project China and Export Education, as well as Gigatown. Sexy Summer Jobs, Dunedin’s successful summer intern programme, has led to about 126 full and part time positions being created by businesses since the programme began in 2008. Enterprise Dunedin staff provide valuable input and assistance around cruise ship planning and hosting. They assist with major event promotion and brand development, which helps make the city a vibrant, attractive place in which to live, work, study and invest.

In the Regulatory Services area, which includes building consents and environmental health regulations, the DCC has a wide range of activities underway to help businesses expand and develop. Mr Pickford says, “We’re meeting developers and business people to get their views on how we can help. We’re working closely with Enterprise Dunedin, for example at the new business clinics, and we’re trying to have a closer liaison with relevant organisations such as Master Builders. Staff are working to produce a one stop shop guide for setting up a business in Dunedin. This will be available online and in hard copy. Staff are also introducing case management, which means individual staff will help business people and developers liaise with different departments. “We’re also streamlining regulatory processes where we can. This includes putting processes online where possible and, in time, we hope to have systems where people can log in and check what stage their building consent is at in the process, for example. The local government sector overall struggles to get recognition, particularly in the area of economic development. As well as our own business survey, our annual Residents’ Opinion Survey (ROS) results are more positive than the LGNZ survey results and recognise our work to retain existing businesses in Dunedin. It’s also important to see these results in a wider context. Our 2014 ROS results show more residents were satisfied with the DCC’s overall performance than in any year since 2003.”

The LGNZ Dunedin business booster survey had a random sample of 111 businesses. The DCC survey of businesses had 317 responses and the ROS achieves a sample of about 1200 residents.

The Local Government Survey is available at http://www.lgnz.co.nz. To see the results of the LGNZ Dunedin business booster and a Dunedin public booster visit http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/lgnz-survey. The high level DCC business survey results are available at http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/business-support/business-survey-report.

Contact Dave Cull, Mayor of Dunedin on 03 477 4000.

DCC Link

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

What Audit NZ really says in DCC LTP consultation document (March 2015)

Contrary to ODT’s limited reporting picked up by JimmyJones at the previous post…. $95 million is the figure to be concerned about. Read on.

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DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL
█ Long Term Plan 2015/16 – 2024/25 Consultation Document
Adopted 24 March 2015

From Audit New Zealand’s Ian Lothian:
(see LTP Consultation Document, pages 43-44)

█ More on Long Term Plan 2015/16 – 2024/25 at http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/draft-long-term-plan-2015-2016

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Related Posts and Comments:
19.5.15 DCC LTP must meet $68M budget shortfall over next decade
19.5.15 Mosgiel pool trust conflicts of interest #bigfishsmallpond
19.5.15 Ode to sickly DCC
18.5.15 DCC laundering – wring out Regent Theatre Trust, pump DVML
18.5.15 NEWSFLASH —Mosgiel pool, tracking [PONT]….
17.5.15 Cr Vandervis on DCC project budgets
● 7.5.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16-2024/25 —public submissions online
28.3.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16 to 2024/25 —CONSULTATION OPEN
25.3.15 DCC Long Term Plan: Green-dyed chickens home to roost
14.1.15 DCC Draft Long Term Plan: more inanity from Cull’s crew pending

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Text image: whatifdunedin

DCC LTP must meet $68M budget shortfall over next decade

Updated post
Wed, 20 Mar 2015 at 6:41 p.m.

█ WOOPS, see JimmyJones at Comments and next post —it’s MUCH worse than $68 million….

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AUDIT NEW ZEALAND HAS REASON TO BE VIGILANT
—WHAT NEW POOL COMPLEX FOR MOSGIEL TAIERI ??

ODT: Council accused of being in denial over long-term plan (25.3.15)

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Related Post and Comments:
25.3.15 DCC Long Term Plan: Green-dyed chickens home to roost

█ For more, enter the terms *mosgiel*, *taieri*, *trust*, *pool*, *draft ltp* or *vandervis* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Text image: whatifdunedin

Mosgiel pool trust conflicts of interest #bigfishsmallpond

CARBON COPY OF SELWYN POOL
PONT WANTS $750,000 FROM DCC TO INVESTIGATE A REPLICA !!!!
Funny that, given his connections………………

Selwyn Aquatic Centre

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{Original correspondence sighted and filed. Ratepayer name removed. -Eds}

Received from Cr Lee Vandervis
‎Tue‎, ‎19‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 at ‎2‎:‎02‎ ‎p.m.

From: Lee Vandervis
Sent: ‎Tuesday‎, ‎19‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 ‎2‎:‎02‎ ‎p.m.
To: ██████████
Cc: Elizabeth Kerr [What if? Dunedin]

Dear ██████████ ,

Thank you for raising the Mosgiel Pool design and Shaun Pont conflict of interest issues which have been highlighted on the ‘What If?’ site.
I was disappointed that the ODT did not report my direct challenge to Mr Pont’s claimed need for $750,000 of rates funding to pay for initial Mosgiel pool design work, when the pool they want has already been designed, and built [by local contractors Calder Stewart] in Selwyn.
We were told repeatedly at the Mosgiel meeting that the desired pool complex was a “carbon copy of the Selwyn pool”, making the requested $750,000 for initial design potentially the most expensive bits of carbon copy paper in local government history.
As I saw it, Mr Pont not only failed to declare his glaring conflict of interest at the Mosgiel meeting, but he failed to account for the claimed $750,000 cost of an initial pool design needed, saying that there were different ground conditions [both level alluvial plains], different parking requirements [there is an existing car park next door], and different more efficient heat-pump system planned [this detail not needed for initial design].
My question as to ‘why 90% of the speakers listed as wanting to present in person to the Mosgiel meeting did not show up?’ was not answered satisfactorily. It was suggested that there was a problem with advising people of the date of the Mosgiel meeting, yet more Councillors managed to show up than local people wanting to speak in support of the Pool project.

Kind regards,
Cr. Vandervis

On 18/05/15 10:46 AM, “ ██████████ ” wrote:

Hi Lee,

I was at the LTP Plan submission hearing in Mosgiel and heard Shaun Pont of the pool trust asking for $750,000 from Council for further investigation work on pool design etc. I believe there is a vested interest here as Shaun Pont is a director of Logic Group and stands to gain financially from this money if Council is stupid enough to grant it. He also appears to be affiliated with Arrow International, and we know how they benefited from the stadium.

You are the only one on Council I can trust to speak up if I am correct, and can see through the spin doctoring of the pool trust. Best of luck and keep up the good work.

Regards
██████████

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Taieri Aquatic Centre —proposal

Related Post and Comments:
18.5.15 NEWSFLASH —Mosgiel pool, tracking [PONT] . . . . [see other links]

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images: Selwyn Aquatic Centre – engenium.co.nz (exterior); xypex.co.nz (interior) | Proposed Taieri Aquatic Centre – scanned renders by Baker Garden Architects, from TCFT feasibility report (Jan 2015)

Ode to sickly DCC

Received.
Tue, 19 May 2015 at 12:25 p.m.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Text image: whatifdunedin

DCC laundering – wring out Regent Theatre Trust, pump DVML

Photo: Dunedin NZ

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Received from John Evans
Mon, 18 May 2015 at 5:29 p.m.

P26 ODT Saturday May 16.

In an article headed Stadium sound on agenda, included some apparent proposed changes for DVML, one being the stripping of the rights to sell DMVL venues from the Regent Theatre Trust, considered an anomaly by the DCC or DMVL or both.

The nett effects

1. Immediate reduction in income of $110,000 to the Regent Theatre Trust. However the DCC are going to suggest a donation of $110,000 as a grant to the trust (unearned).

2. An increase in staffing levels for DMVL (to sell the tickets).

3. No reduction in ratepayers’ costs.

4. A presumed increase in DMVL income (gross but not necessarily nett) DCC looks better in financial accounts (hopeful).

5. Lost opportunity costs (the recipient of the $110,000 if the DCC did not give it to the Regent trust).

This is what is called by forensic accountants, creative accounting.

Humans call it robbing Peter to pay Paul.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

NEWSFLASH —Mosgiel pool, tracking [PONT] . . . .

Taieri Community Facilities Trust project manager Shaun Pont called on councillors to allocate $750,000 to the design phase of the new facility for the next financial year.

### ODT Online Tue, 12 May 2015
Mosgiel residents make plea for pool
By Vaughan Elder
Mosgiel residents made an impassioned call for Dunedin City councillors to give a multimillion-dollar aquatic facility the “green light” sooner rather than later. In recognition of the level of interest in a $15 million four-pool aquatic facility the council held part of yesterday’s long-term plan hearings at Mosgiel’s Salvation Army Hall.
Read more

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Taieri Community Facilities Trust (aka Pooling Together)
http://www.poolingtogether.org.nz/

By December [2014] we will have completed a thorough feasibility study, ready for presentation to Council. The feasibility study for a new aquatic complex on the Taieri is now complete and has been lodged with Council.

There has been an amazing amount of work done in a short amount of time, and we want to acknowledge the stellar effort by Shaun Pont of the Logic Group.

http://www.poolingtogether.org.nz/the-project/

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http://www.poolingtogether.org.nz/study-results/
In presenting this report, the Taieri Community Facilities Trust (Trust) is conscious of the Dunedin City Council’s twin objectives of city growth and strong fiscal management. It recognises that growth is both economic and social, and that the two are correlated. If Dunedin is to grow then it needs investment both in economic development and in facilities that enhance the city’s quality of life. A city is defined by its people. So as a city, if we are to grow and prosper then the community must stand beside Council. Only by working together can we both grow as a city and reach the Council goals for financial stewardship.

Community-based organisations are key to solving some of the most difficult neighbourhood issues. It is therefore important from the outset to understand that a swimming pool is not just about a place but about our people. Pools help to bind communities together and meet the challenges of building social inclusion within a community. They help to address the health issues within a community as we endeavour to meet national obesity and activity targets. A swimming pool is more than just somewhere to swim. It is a meeting place and heart for the community and a conduit for many activities.

The full report is available for download here: Taieri Aquatic Facility Report.pdf. The funding capability report is available here: Compton Report.

█ Other mentions at Pooling Together:

http://www.poolingtogether.org.nz/the-project/
For design we have engaged the Logic Group, who are working in partnership with award-winning architects Baker Garden and quantity surveyors Flanders Marlow.

http://www.poolingtogether.org.nz/who-we-are/
Support and Presentation Team…. Janice Pont

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█ Public submissions on DCC Draft Long Term Plan (LTP):

Shaun Pont (Organisation – Logic group):
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/draft-long-term-plan-2015-2016/public-submissions/single-view-2015?id=492518
[excerpt] 14. Unfunded Mosgiel Aquatic Facilities – Yes; 14a. – Unfunded Mosgiel Aquatic Facilities Four new pools

Janice Pont:
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/draft-long-term-plan-2015-2016/public-submissions/single-view-2015?id=494071
[excerpt] 14. Unfunded Mosgiel Aquatic Facilities – Yes; 14a. – Unfunded Mosgiel Aquatic Facilities Four new pools

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Who is the Logic Group?

http://www.logicgroup.co.nz/index.htm
We provide specialist property advice and development management leadership.

(southern office) Level 4, Forsyth Barr House, 165 Stuart Street, PO Box 5857, Dunedin 9058

█ NZ Companies Register:

Search: Shaun David PONT

LOGIC GROUP SOUTHERN LIMITED (5072961) Registered
1 of 3 directors:
Shaun PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
Samuel CADDEN, 110 Thomas St, Waikouaiti 9510
Richard WEBB, 15 The Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Chch 8081
1 of 1 shareholding:
Shaun PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025

LOGIC GROUP NZ LIMITED (3993939) Registered
2 of 2 directors:
Shaun PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
Richard WEBB, 15 The Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Chch 8081
2 of 2 shareholdings:
Shaun PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
Richard WEBB, 15 The Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Chch 8081

LOGIC FM LIMITED (3933199) Registered
3 of 3 directors:
Shaun PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
Samuel CADDEN, 110 Thomas St, Waikouaiti 9510
Richard WEBB, 15 The Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Chch 8081
1 of 1 shareholdings:
Shaun PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025

LOGIC COST CONSULTANCY LIMITED (5627311) Registered
3 of 3 directors:
Barry LYNCH, 32 Dormer St, Papanui, Christchurch 8053
Shaun PONT: 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
Richard WEBB, 15 The Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Chch 8081
3 of 3 shareholdings:
Shaun PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
Richard WEBB, 15 The Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Chch 8081
LOGIC GROUP NZ LIMITED, Pwc, 5 Sir Gil Simpson Dr, Chch 8053

SPX 2 CONSULTING LIMITED (2075048) Registered
1 of 1 directors:
Shaun David PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
2 of 2 shareholdings:
Shaun David PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
Sarah Peggy PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025

ZERO PLUS NZ LIMITED (3993918) Registered
1 of 1 directors:
Shaun David PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
1 of 1 shareholdings:
Shaun David PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025

ARROW STRATEGY LIMITED (2120916) Struck off
Former director:
Shaun David PONT, 137 Neville St, Spreydon, Christchurch 8024
Appointment Date: 21 May 2008
Ceased date: 28 Dec 2012

STILLWATER SOLUTIONS LIMITED (5685008) Registered
2 of 2 directors:
Shaun David PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
Marcus John Lee STUFKENS, 89 Gardiners Rd, Bishopdale, Chch 8051
2 of 2 shareholdings:
Shaun David PONT, 220h Kennedys Bush Rd, Kennedys Bush, Chch 8025
SIBERIAN TRUSTEES 2 LIMITED, 89 Gardiners Rd, Bishopdale, Chch 8051

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Search: Janice PONT – family(?):

PONT DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED (2299866) Registered
2 of 2 directors
Janice Mary PONT, 2 Fenty Pl, Mosgiel 9024
Russell David PONT, 2 Fenty Pl, Mosgiel 9024
2 of 2 shareholdings:
Janice Mary PONT, 2 Fenty Pl, Mosgiel 9024
Russell David PONT, 2 Fenty Pl, Mosgiel 9024

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Related Posts and Comments:
17.5.15 Cr Vandervis on DCC project budgets
● 4.5.15 DCC: Draft LTP matter —‘Unfunded Mosgiel Aquatic Facilities’
● 7.5.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16-2024/25 —public submissions online
● 12.4.15 Mosgiel pool trust calls on Dunedin ratepayers to fund distant complex
1.4.15 ‘Pooling Together’ (TCFT) loses chairman, resigns [see Wanaka pool]
28.3.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16 to 2024/25 —CONSULTATION OPEN
25.3.15 DCC Long Term Plan: Green-dyed chickens home to roost
11.3.15 Mosgiel pool trust PLAINLY hasn’t got ‘$7.5M community support’
● 6.3.15 Propaganda from trust for Taieri pool project #Mosgiel
● 2.3.15 DCC: Mosgiel Pool private workshop Tuesday (tomorrow) [renders]
● 20.2.15 Taieri Aquatic Centre: 2nd try for SECRET meeting —hosted by Mayor
● 13.2.15 ‘Taieri Aquatic Centre’, email from M. Stedman via B. Feather
● 10.2.15 Dunedin City Councillors invited to Secret Meeting #Mosgiel
14.1.15 DCC Draft Long Term Plan: more inanity from Cull’s crew pending
11.10.14 New Mosgiel Pool trust declared —(ready to r**t)
23.7.14 Mosgiel Pool: Taieri Times, ODT…. mmm #mates
16.7.14 Stadium: Exploiting CST model for new Mosgiel Pool #GOBs
● 4.2.14 DCC: Mosgiel Pool, closed-door parallels with stadium project…
30.1.14 DCC broke → More PPPs to line private pockets and stuff ratepayers
20.1.14 DCC Draft Annual Plan 2014/15 [see this comment & ff]
16.11.13 Community board (Mosgiel-Taieri) clandestine meetings
25.1.12 Waipori Fund – inane thinkings from a councillor
19.5.10 DScene – Public libraries, Hillside Workshops, stadium, pools
12.4.10 High-performance training pool at stadium?

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images: arrowinternationalco.nz – Shaun Pont; scanned pool render by Baker Garden Architects – presented in TCFT project report during pre-draft DCC LTP meetings January 2015. [public domain]

Cr Vandervis on DCC project budgets

Received.
Sat, 16 May 2015 at 11:39 p.m.

via Malcolm Dixon’s Facebook page [link to Build Dunedin]
https://www.facebook.com /malcolm.dixon.528/posts/10152926652873106

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[screenshot]

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Related Posts and Comments:
7.5.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16-2024/25 —public submissions online
28.3.15 DCC Draft LTP 2015/16 to 2024/25 —CONSULTATION OPEN
25.3.15 DCC Long Term Plan: Green-dyed chickens home to roost
14.1.15 DCC Draft Long Term Plan: more inanity from Cull’s crew pending

█ For more about DCC and Cr Lee Vandervis, enter *vandervis* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)

WATCH ‘Party Central’
█ Sunday TVNZ http://tvnz.co.nz/sunday-news

Sunday TVNZ investigator: Libby Middlebrook
Producer: Jane Skinner

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█ Facebook entries sampled after the ‘wake up’ Sunday TVNZ show – the student’s name and personal gravatar have been removed; Helen Back from City Rise (not Carol Devine featured on camera), responds:

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Related Posts and Comments:
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images – screenshots and text from Sunday TVNZ / ONE News
Facebook entries supplied.

time to go home —girls’ own pl.

aware and active c.2000
[click to enlarge]

*from my notebooks 1995/6

—

Related Post and Comments:
21.4.13 Architecture + Women • New Zealand

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

cool rough video —boy’s own

Ed Sheeran Published on May 9, 2015
Ed Sheeran – Photograph (Official Music Video)
Download on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/x-itunesdlx
Listen on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/stream.photograph
Directed by Emil Nava
Music: “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran (Google Play • iTunes)
Album: ‘x’ (Multiply)

—

Saturday night nostalgia…..

PHOTOGRAPH

Loving can hurt / Loving can hurt sometimes / But it’s the only thing / That I know

And when it gets hard / You know it can get hard sometimes / It is the only thing that makes us feel alive

We keep this love in a photograph / We made these memories for ourselves / Where our eyes are never closing / Hearts are never broken / And times are forever frozen still

So you can keep me / Inside the pocket / Of your ripped jeans / Holdin’ me closer / Til our eyes meet / You won’t ever be alone / Wait for me to come home

Loving can heal / Loving can mend your soul / And is the only thing / That I know (know) / I swear it will get easier / Remember that with every piece of ya / And it’s the only thing we take with us when we die

We keep this love in a photograph / We make these memories for ourselves / Where our eyes are never closing / Our hearts were never broken / And times forever frozen still / So you can keep me / Inside the pocket / Of your ripped jeans/ Holdin’ me closer / Till our eyes meet / You won’t ever be alone

And if you hurt me / Well that’s ok baby only words bleed / Inside these pages you just hold me / And I won’t ever let you go

Wait for me to come home / Wait for me to come home / Wait for me to come home / Wait for me to come home

Oh you can fit me / Inside the necklace you got when you were 16 / Next to your heartbeat / Where I should be / Keep it deep within your soul

And if you hurt me / Well that’s ok baby only words bleed / Inside these pages you just hold me / And I won’t ever let you go

When I’m away / I will remember how you kissed me / Under the lamppost / Back on 6th street / Hearing you whisper through the phone / Wait for me to come home

[ends]

█ Wikipedia: Ed Sheeran

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Russell Lund on Ministry closure of Dunedin Law Courts

Owner of Lund South, Russell Lund, is suspicious of the Ministry of Justice’s intention for Dunedin’s historic courthouse. (ODT)

The Opinion was published at Otago Daily Times today with the headline ‘Budgets blind to community benefit’ –here unabridged.

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Your editorial last weekend (ODT 9.5.15) regarding the fate of the courthouse and your suspicion of the Ministry of Justice’s true agenda is sadly, prescient.

It is extremely unlikely that there is any will by the ministry at all to strengthen and retain the courthouse.

Lund South completed the restoration of the main courthouse in 2002. During that project we were party to candid discussions about the history of the courthouse restoration project and how it very nearly did not happen. The attitude of the courts even back then was that they weren’t getting any extra funding for restoration of the courthouse. They viewed the historical and heritage significance of the building as someone else’s problem. The courts had negotiations with the owners of an office building in the CBD, and very nearly signed a lease to put the courts there. It was only due to the hectoring of certain persons in the design team and a sympathetic official within the department that saw the project proceed, albeit very reluctantly, and with ongoing demands throughout the project to cut costs.

Of course the pressures on all government spending in the current Joycean environment are far worse than those benign days of the early 2000s. About $11 million was spent on renovation and extension of the courthouse in a project completed in 2003.

The department has now spent or will spend more than $6 million on a temporary facility, not the $3 million you noted in your editorial. That suggests that this is not a temporary fix.

We can be sure about this because we were also involved in the construction of the temporary courts in the old BNZ building in 2001.

That temporary facility that served very satisfactorily (apart from an issue with insufficient acoustic separation in the jury room that was easily fixed) and cost about 10%, just one 10th of the current expenditure on the new temporary facility.

The strategy employed by the department is quite obvious. They have commissioned a national engineering consultancy that is not known for creative or economic solutions. The firm is also well known for being unreceptive to alternative design proposals, their attitude being, “this is our project, we are going to do it our way”. Another government department had to threaten to sack them from a $30 million project in 2013 when they refused to consider an alternative structural proposal that ended up saving the department several million dollars.

Local engineers familiar with the building are convinced the scope and the cost of the work required would be dramatically less than the current proposal.

We have seen this scenario play out in the case of the Oamaru courthouse, where an alternative proposal at an estimated cost of one-third of the courts engineers’ estimate still was not enough to convince the courts to stay in the building.

Dunedin residents might well ask why this is? Surely, if the building can be strengthened at reasonable cost it is worth doing?

The answer is that this department, like others, simply sees old buildings as a money pit for ongoing repairs and maintenance and its budgets are blind to the wider benefits to the community of retaining heritage.

Russell Lund
Macandrew Bay

ODT Link

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Related Posts and Comments:
11.7.15 Dunedin Law Courts “an incredible historic building” –Minister
14.5.15 Justice at Dunedin
2.5.15 Ministry serves INJUSTICE for Dunedin Courthouse #HistoricHeritage

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: Railway Station & Dunedin Law Courts –Kerr
May 13, 2015

Justice at Dunedin

Dunedin Law Courts 13 May 2015

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Related Posts and Comments:
11.7.15 Dunedin Law Courts “an incredible historic building” –Minister
14.5.15 Russell Lund on Ministry closure of Dunedin Law Courts
2.5.15 Ministry serves INJUSTICE for Dunedin Courthouse #HistoricHeritage

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Photograph by Elizabeth Kerr

View Street, seen from Moray Place

Google Street View – Dec 2012 [screenshot]

View Street. A heritage street containing historic townhouses (once private family residences, of which only one remains in this use) and apartment buildings. Otago Girls’ High School provides an ‘architectural’ dénouement at the top of street. The church building to Moray Place and View Street has been converted to upmarket apartments.

The infamous 2 View Street (student proof carpet….) is second from right (cream painted facade), a former church hall then backpackers. It was purchased by a Mr Nicolas Beach in 2010. Mr Beach on-sold the property for an artificial profit (don’t ask). From that time it’s been all downhill for other people living on the street —with so little support from city authorities, the property owner (currently, an absentee living in Australia), and the university. It’s called turning a blind eye, passing the buck.

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Quotable Value NZ [screenshot]

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WHO OWNS 2 VIEW STREET
From the DCC Rates Book:

Ratepayer name(s): Ross Maxwell Pty Limited

[oh look, that infamous firm] Postal address for this assessment
C/O Edinburgh Realty Limited PO Box 5772 Moray Place Dunedin 9058

NZ Companies Register:

ROSS MAXWELL PTY LIMITED (5447574) Registered
http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/5447574

Showing 1 of 1 directors:
Ross MAXWELL
55 Abbott Street, Wallsend NSW, 2287, Australia

Total Number of Shares: 1
Extensive Shareholding: No
Shareholders in Allocation:
Allocation 1:
1 shares (100.00%)
Ross MAXWELL
55 Abbott Street, Wallsend NSW, 2287, Australia

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Related Posts and Comments:
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD

Did Harls jump on her media bandwagon over a wine or two after she watched Sunday TVNZ’s exposé on binge drinking at Dunedin (10 May).
The programme aired at 7:00 p.m. yesterday. The deadline for ODT’s Monday edition is 4:00 p.m. Sunday.
So did the Otago vice-chancellor see the programme before writing her opinion piece?
Well, not unless the ODT editor worked some sort of marvel of factory production.
Evidently, Harls conspired with the local newspaper to get her illuminatory thoughts in print today, of ALL DAYS. Chess as the television hoedown-showdown hits her university and the city council.

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There is no doubt the footage was disturbing and there is no excuse for the kind of behaviour that was captured in those images. –Hayne

### ODT Online Mon, 11 May 2015
Alcohol law change overdue
By Harlene Hayne
OPINION The Sunday programme last night once again put the spotlight on the University of Otago for alcohol related harm. This time the focus was on the trouble that is caused by some rambunctious, messy and noisy students and other young people in North Dunedin and other parts of the community.
Read more

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Dunedin is not alone.

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 09:44, May 4 2015
Editorial: Student binging leaves a bad taste
Source: Dominion Post
OPINION Wellington is more of a student town than it used to be – thousands of tertiary students, attending various institutions, live here. They are a welcome economic boost for the city, and they also add to the life of the place: someone, for instance, has to fill up the city’s famously rich concentration of cafes and bars. By and large, Wellington has not had the trouble with students that some other cities have faced.

Most notoriously, Dunedin’s orientation weeks have often been drunken frenzies of flaming couches and showdowns with police. Wellington’s student body would be more happy with a “massive, street-wide wine and cheese evening”, one Otago wit quipped in 2012 after a particularly riotous Dunedin episode.

So it’s somewhat jarring to discover that, already this year, Victoria University has imposed total alcohol bans at four of its halls of residence after, in the case of the most recent one, excessive drinking, property damage and “overall unacceptable behaviour”. (Some bans have since been lifted).

That’s more than over-indulgence; it’s ugly, anti-social drinking that no-one needs as any kind of life highlight. There is a fine line to be walked here. Tertiary study is often associated with drinking, and some of that is just life – a product of young people leaving home, making decisions for themselves, and revelling in new freedoms. There is no point in being complete wowsers about this, any more than there is in adopting a puritan approach to drinking in New Zealand more generally. Alcohol can be a pleasure, an aide to camaraderie and relaxation. Yet, just as plainly, drinking can be dangerous and miserable – especially among the young. Consuming vast torrents of booze might seem like a game to beginners, but in fact it is hugely risky behaviour – for those who partake, for those who have some responsibility for them, and indeed for anyone they come into contact with.
Read more

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Related Posts and Comments:
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: otago.ac.nz – Harlene Hayne (tweaked y whatifdunedin)