Aurora/Delta can’t be trusted on dangerous poles —some reasons why

Primed to FAIL.

Richard Healey reveals the dreadful reality of Aurora’s fast-track pole replacement program to be rolled out by Delta and other crews, with little regard for workplace safety —or public safety.

In a frightening note posted at Facebook tonight, Richard says:

“So what are we looking at? A divided workforce, where there is an us and them culture, with many off network workers, [led] by people, some of them with little or no leadership experience, who don’t have skills managing multiple teams or complex projects, working on a decayed asset, much of which has been mysteriously upgraded by some backroom process, presided over by a group of people with a vested interest in covering up mistakes and aiming for an unachievable target in a pressure cooker environment, for a company with two convictions for unsafe work practices in the last seven years?

Surely not – that sounds like Pike River Coal Ltd. But maybe if you have no background in the industry, and your previous job involved dodging bombs and bullets, it all sounds pretty reasonable?”

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Please read the whole note, and click on each of the links Richard provides:

Good news! Delta plan to have all the condition zero poles replaced by April 30th.
Richard Healey · Monday, 30 January 2017
The bad news? I think the chances of a serious injury, or a death, are extraordinarily high.

Why? Let me count the reasons:

In the last 20 years, the largest number of replacement zero or one poles Delta has achieved in a year is around 400. Don’t believe the bollocks that Grady Cameron comes out with about Delta having “replaced” thousands of poles in the last two years. Here’s a clip from their website.

“Aurora Energy has replaced 1,670 poles in the past two years, of which 802 were either condition 0 and 1. We have already replaced 155 poles in the first four months of this year”.

Just how thick do you think the people of Otago are? From September 2014 to September 2016 Delta’s own GIS system shows 1528 poles installed, for all reasons. Many of those poles were new installs, most for new irrigation load – they were not replacements.

But let’s look at the sterling work you have done in the “first four months of this year” – 155 poles! That works out to 465 for a whole year, hmmm… that would be about half the number of poles that you claim to have replaced in each of the previous two years!

So let’s get this straight, you are claiming that in the last four months your replacement program has halved in speed? But now, miraculously, you are going to replace more than 1000 condition zero poles in a couple of months? So an increase in the rate of replacement of around 1300% – thirteen times the rate of replacement that you are achieving now. Bugger it, let’s be generous, let’s say that by some miracle you kick all this off tomorrow and have three months to finish, that would be an 860% increase in the speed of replacement.

So how is this sleight of hand to be performed? Well, more crews. That’s got to be good right?

Continues….

█ https://www.facebook.com/notes/richard-healey/good-news-delta-plan-to-have-all-the-condition-zero-poles-replaced-by-april-30th/10156057154724848

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Electric fleet vehicles NZ #cleanenergy

Renault Kangoo ZE Van [cleantechnica.com]

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### NZ Herald Thu, 19 Jan 2017
Electric vehicles get $3.5m boost
The Government has agreed to pay $3.5 million towards electric vehicle projects around the country to promote the greener form of transport. Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins announced today that 15 projects would be conditionally funded, as the Government seeks to meet its target of 64,000 electric vehicles on New Zealand’s roads by 2021. The projects include Foodstuffs using 28 all-electric delivery vans at its supermarkets; supporting Tranzit Group and Auckland Transport introducting electric buses and charging infrastructure; and Waste Management NZ converting three rubbish trucks to run on electricity.
Read more

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Foodstuffs (NZ)
Media Release

Fri, 20 Jan 2017

Minister of Energy and Resources Judith Collins announces New World and PAK’nSAVE electric delivery van trial
The Honourable Judith Collins has today announced that the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) will be providing funding to support Foodstuffs trial of electric delivery vans across its New World and PAK’nSAVE supermarkets in 2017.
“This is the first time a commercial electric vehicle fleet of this size has been trialled in New Zealand,” says Chris Quin, CEO, Foodstuffs North Island Ltd. “The funding will go towards the implementation of 28 zero emission electric delivery vans at New World and PAK’nSAVE stores across the North and South Island.”
According to Quin when the project was put to the business initial interest from stores was incredibly positive. “Our owners recognise and support Foodstuffs’ commitment to be more sustainable and at the leading edge of new technology. Our business practices are continually evolving to be more sustainable, this is demonstrated through our work on recyclable packaging, food donation, natural refrigeration systems and energy efficiency and ensures the business will be well placed over the coming years.”
Quin adds, “It fits in perfectly with Foodstuffs drive to reduce environmental impacts and support brand NZ. Electric vehicles offer the potential to both reduce the business’ dependence on imported fuels whilst at the same time reducing road based transport emissions by 100%.”
“Add to this the fact the electricity powering the vehicles is 100% locally generated and over 80% renewably generated through hydro, wind and geothermal sources – meaning we are investing in both New Zealand‘s economy and its environment.”
The Nissan e-NV 200 delivery vans will be imported over the next year from Europe where they are manufactured. Once charged they are capable of travelling up to 150 kilometres at a time without generating either noise or emissions.
Foodstuffs is in discussion with EECA about the potential installation of separate public electric vehicle charging points at key New World and PAK’nSAVE store locations throughout the country.
“The idea is that the provision of easily accessible charging facilities will encourage the public to gradually transition away from petrol and diesel cars to sustainable electric vehicles. You will be able to charge your car whilst grabbing your groceries,” says Quin.
Foodstuffs Link

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### ODT Online Mon, 30 Jan 2017
Benefits of electric delivery vehicle adding up
By Dene Mackenzie
For Mark Dickson, the future is already here following the purchase of an electric delivery vehicle for his Taste Nature business in Dunedin. Mr Dickson and his wife and business partner, Rayna Dickson, had talked about an electric vehicle two years ago as part of an extension to their organic food business. When the couple realised they needed a newer vehicle, the electric delivery van  seemed a natural extension to the business, Mr Dickson said. A month ago, he and Mrs Dickson bought a Nissan e-NV200 delivery vehicle, the same kind as grocery chain Foodstuffs and other businesses recently received government funding for in order to trial the vehicles.
Read more

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### ecotricity.co.nz Sat, 30 Apr 2016
Electric Buses and Driverless Shuttles are about to solve Auckland’s Traffic Woes
By Al Yates
The recent announcement of the electrification of the NZ Bus fleet is a massive boost for completing the electrification of New Zealands public transport fleet. But it goes well beyond buses as it also proves that transport electrification is now economic across a growing number of sectors. In this article we discuss two key components of how Auckland’s traffic woes are about to be alleviated in the short to medium term with the stroke of two technological changes, Electrification of the Bus Fleet, and Driverless Shuttles.
Read more

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Related Posts and Comments:

Would CCOs lie to the Courts? #dangerous #power

Fascinating!

Tonight Richard posted another note at his Facebook page:

We know Delta feel free to play with the truth – But would they lie to the Courts?
Richard Healey · Saturday, 28 January 2017
It’s obvious that Delta think nothing of spinning the facts for you or me, think back to last December when a high voltage line fell to the ground in Tainui, burning the grass. Delta said, and I quote “it presented no danger to the public”. I guess, because no one was under it at the time it fell, you could argue that the statement is true. To me it’s like claiming that firing a gun down the Prince’s St presented no danger to the public because you didn’t hit anyone. Your call, was that a lie?

Or how about this one, when a cast iron cable termination fractured in several places showering the pavement with molten tar – “Delta marketing and communications manager Gary Johnson said the Havelock St pothead was found to have a “slow leak” of insulating material and was removed.” I suppose we could argue about the definition of slow, I’m sure the bitumen that came out did so very slowly – compared to the speed of light – but to characterise a failure that split a cast iron vessel many millimeters thick as a “slow leak” is disingenuous at best. Would you call that a lie?

In his second interview with TV3 Grady Cameron claimed that he wanted to talk to me about the issues that I’d raised but that I had resigned before he had the opportunity. Technically he is absolutely correct, I had resigned. What he didn’t say was that I was working out a months notice, that I was at my desk, with my cellphone on and my computer in front of me when he had me “quarantined” and removed from the office. Not only that, but he cancelled a meeting that I had been told to attend with both Grady and Matt Ballard (more about him shortly) the next day. Would you call that a lie?

The question that I’ve been considering for the last month or so is – would they lie in court?

Continues….

█ https://www.facebook.com/notes/richard-healey/we-know-delta-feel-free-to-play-with-the-truth-but-would-they-lie-to-the-courts/10156050337409848

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: Failed pothead, slow leak? – photo care of Richard Healey

Richard Healey : How Aurora’s lines killed in-calf dairy cows and some sheep

No, really.

M A N D A T O R Y ● R E A D I N G ● F O R
Y O U R ● P E R S O N A L ● S A F E T Y ● A R O U N D ● L I N E S

The following note at Facebook also includes a LGOIMA request directed to Grady Cameron, CE Aurora/Delta, and his interim reply.

Death on the Taieri
Richard Healey · Friday, 27 January 2017
Why should you care about eight dead cows and a dozen dead sheep? Let me explain… In 2010 eight cows were electrocuted on a farm on Maungatua Rd. You can read the story here. Have a close look at this photo:

The black line about a quarter of the way down from the top is 33,000 Volt powerline. The round object attached to it, just to the right of center, is the top section of an insulator that has failed. Now look carefully at this photo…

█ https://www.facebook.com/notes/richard-healey/death-on-the-taieri/10156045815054848

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Reiteration of the SAFETY VIDEO showing at Richard’s Facebook note – please share it widely.

Fortis Alberta Published on Jun 17, 2013
Step and Touch potential
Watch what to do and not to do in the event of a power line contact.

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Related Posts and Comments:
24.1.17 Aurora Energy lines, Lindsay Rd, Caversham, Dunedin
21.1.17 Mayor ignores serious plight of DCC’s FAILED Otago power network in favour of urban cycleways and CBD
● 19.1.17 Jarrod Stewart is EXACTLY RIGHT [what would Steve Thompson know]
18.1.17 Basic questions arising for the City, unpublished by the newspaper
18.1.17 Scandal : DCC / Delta obfuscate over destruction of Heritage Rose Collection
17.1.17 Whistleblower continues campaign vs #AuroraEnergy #DeltaUtilityServices
14.1.17 DCC/DCHL responsible for failed rollout of ‘gigatown’ #dangerouspoles
13.1.17 Aurora with yet another headache
12.1.17 No Integrity | Cull’s FULL INSULT to Ratepayers and Residents
12.11.17 How to drop Crombie and the mafia from City boards
9.1.17 Letter of opinion draws wide support, view not shared by deathly DCHL
8.1.17 Otago’s dangerous electricity network —Aurora’s INCONSPICUOUS and INEFFECTIVE public safety messaging
6.6.17 Message to Aurora/Delta : Upper Clutha dangerous poles DON’T MIX with Holiday Campers

█ For more, enter the terms *aurora*, *delta*, *dchl*, *dangerous*, *poles*, *richard healey*, *gigatown*, *roses*, *grady*, *cameron*, *crombie*, *luggate*, *jacks point*, *auditor-general*, *noble*, *yaldhurst* or *epic fraud* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: odt.co.nz – dead dairy cows by Stephen Jaquiery, Maungatua Rd, 2010

DCC hideous ‘Adam of your labours’

ODT 28.1.17 (page 30)

[phoneshot scribbled – click to enlarge]

DCC is rubbish governance.

Comparing the two territorial authorities, ORC and DCC, ODT says “the regional council has been a wiser council-company owner”.

Ain’t that the sheer truth with bells on, oversewn with screaming sirens and flashing red lights.

Stuff that up your blood-soaked jumper, Dunedin City Council.

DCC takes the knife to Ratepayers’ private wealth, there’s no sign of let up. Blunt force trauma, gushing blood and the decimated entrails of a city once thriving.

The squalid recent history of Dunedin City Council is one of incompetence and worse : failed schemes, massive overburden of debt, inability to prioritise, budget and project manage, crippling levels of deferred maintenance and upgrades for essential infrastructure, unprosecuted thefts, corruption in certain of the CCOs and serious questions about the holding company (last year, a ‘partial audit’), Otago power network assets burnt off (no safety and security of supply), a dead loss-making stadium and associated companies clawing $20million per annum off ratepayers (no valid explanation, just mindless spin), destruction of high class Taieri soils for housing sprawl initiated by city councillor with a private profit motive, trite succession of gormless city councillors lining own pockets/inflating egos at the council table – leaches and nematodes have more credibility. On it goes at DCC.

Otago Regional Council is debt free.

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### ODT Online Sat, 28 Jan 2017
Editorial: City and ORC merger unlikely
OPINION Any progress towards one or more unitary authorities in Otago will be difficult, largely because of the region’s geography. The Dunedin City Council this week ordered a report into a possible merger between it and the Otago Regional Council, and it would be surprising if proposals which might emerge make much headway with the Local Government Commission.
….Since 1988, the [ORC] has received a total of $148.9million in dividends and special payments from Port Otago. How the city must covet that cash. Given the city’s pressures on Delta/Aurora for dividends and the regional council’s hands-off attitude to the Port Company, it would seem, however, the regional council has been a wiser council-company owner.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

SH1 Cycleway : Carnage for Dunedin road users and city parking

The cycleway construction MANGLE is a MASSIVE over reaction to the loss of just two lives – TWO academics(!), who individually decided to risk their lives on the State Highway rather than take available quiet streets.

NZTA corralled by the DCC upstarts such as Mayor Cull, Cr Wilson and the dreadful DCC transportation planners…. is about to cripple the State Highway one-way system that caters for motorists, our trucking companies and large freight movers – as well as savage the public resource of city car parks.
258 parks to be lost.

Expect more cycle deaths and maiming as a result of the new segregated cycleways.

New Zealand road deaths are rising. An indictment but not due to the use of pedal cycles in urban centres so much as motor vehicles and motorbikes on the open road —no one, it appears, likes to wear seat belts, keep their speed down, stay free of distraction, or drive on the correct side of the road, any more. The Road Rules represent real inconvenience for petrolhead homies and overseas nationals.

The Liability Cull council likes to believe cyclists are important in a hilly aging town – or that the absolutely Vast minority of toasted ones were important (just the 2). But cycling, like skiing and boarding, has the excitement of the odd bruise, graze, break or concussion. Mincemeat too, is an option. Not sure it isn’t ‘natural’ to dice.

So we all must pay. And pay again on the one-ways.

This is yet another disreputable DCC detour from putting public funds (ours!) to core infrastructure. We know what core is.

OF COURSE
Latest cost estimates for the SH1 segregated cycleways, noted as $8M in the DCC propaganda published by Pravda, are set to spiral wildly out of control – a certainty!

All that DCC touches in its project work FAILS, immeasurably so, since council staff time and labour costs are kept fully hidden to keep the populace from casting pitchforks at the suited ones (men and women with desks at the City) who pillow out on stipends and salaries.

Give us a break. People die every day.
Why should that disfigure our heavy transports of delight….
The evil DCC staccato of red lights through town is bad enough.

More information on UGLY….

█ New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA)
Dunedin one-way system separated cycle lanes

█ Dunedin City Council
Cycle lanes in the city | Proposed Cycle Network

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### ODT Online Thu, 26 Jan 2017
SH1 cycleway work to start
By David Loughrey
Work will start soon on an $8 million separated cycleway on Dunedin’s one-way system. The project is intended to provide safe cycling on a roading system overrepresented in fatal and serious crashes, with [merely!] two fatalities since 2011. The first stretch to be built will run between the Botanic Garden and Albany St. Work is expected to start in May.
Read more

“The loss of parking [258 parks] is justified in terms of safety, and supporting cycling can reduce parking pressure in the long term.” –University

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Helen Clark resigns from UN position

[bbci.co.uk]

### NZ Herald Online 2:16 PM Thursday Jan 26, 2017
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark stepping down from her position at UN
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has told the UN she will step down as head of the UNDP when her term ends in April. Clark sent a letter to staff this morning to advise them of her decision not to seek another term … Clark was appointed in April 2009 and her role was renewed in 2013 for a second four year term. Clark unsuccessfully ran to be Secretary General of the UN earlier this year – but Portuguese politician Antonio Guterres was selected for the role instead. In her time as head of the UNDP, Clark oversaw a major restructure which ruffled feathers internally but pleased some of the donor countries to the UNDP, such as the United States, which had criticised the UN for ineffective use of money … Her departure coincides with the election of US President Donald Trump who is reportedly considering executive orders to drastically cut US funding to the United Nations.
Read more

Helen Clark’s letter reads:

“Dear colleagues,
I am writing to advise all staff that I have informed the Secretary General that I am preparing to leave my position as Administrator at the end of my second term on 19 April.
This will allow the Secretary General to appoint a new Administrator as soon as possible. I stand ready to support the transition to the new leader of the organisation. I have full confidence in our Associate Administrator, Tege Gettu, to act as Administrator if there is a gap between my departure and the arrival of the next Administrator.
This is not my final message to staff – there is much to be done between now and 19 April. There is, for example, a timetable for tabling the draft of the next Strategic Plan to enable it to be discussed at the Executive Board’s Annual Meeting on 31 May. It is my desire to see all aspects of the organization in a strong and sustainable state when the next Administrator assumes office.
These are times of change across the UN system. There are post-QCPR reviews being commissioned which may impact on UNDP. While these processes are unfolding, I urge you all to continue to deliver to the high standards for which UNDP is known. Making progress on the SDGs and on supporting national development achievements must continue unabated.
It has been a privilege and an honour for me to lead UNDP for eight years. Our staff are our greatest strength, and I will miss you all. I will offer my thanks and gratitude more fully nearer to my departure.”

Helen’s political timeline
• 1981:Elected to Parliament in Mt Albert
• 1984 – 90: Minister in Labour Government, including Health and Housing, deputy Prime Minister in 1989.
• December 1993: Rolls Mike Moore as Labour leader after National formed Government after a close-run 1993 election.
• 1996: Low polling prompts Labour MPs including Annette King, Michael Cullen and Phil Goff to ask Clark to stand down. Clark refuses.
• 1999: Labour wins election, Clark becomes Prime Minister.
• 2001: Refuses to send troops to Iraq for US-led war after September 11 bombings. Clark deploys SAS troops to Afghanistan and in 2003 sends the reconstruction team to Bamiyan province, visiting them later that year.
• 2008: National wins election, Clark stands down as Labour leader on election night.
• March 2009: Clark is confirmed as Administrator for the UN Development Programme.
• April 2014: Clark is renewed for a second four-year term at UNDP
• 2016: Clark campaigns to be UN Secretary General but the role goes to Antonio Guterres.
–NZ Herald

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Al Jazeera English Uploaded on Oct 2, 2010
One on One – Helen Clark
New Zealand’s former prime minister and the first woman to lead the UNDP talks about her career.

TEDx Talks Published on Aug 20, 2013
Yes she can: Helen Clark at TEDxAuckland
Helen Clark is Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) — the first woman to lead the organization — and Chair of the United Nations Development Group. Prior to joining the UNDP Helen served as Prime Minister of New Zealand for three terms, during which time she was widely engaged in policy development and advocacy across international, economic, social and cultural spheres. Now living in New York, Helen is a passionate supporter of the arts as evidenced by her promotion of the arts, culture and heritage portfolio during her time as Prime Minister.

APEC Published on Jun 4, 2014
Interview with Helen Clark, Administrator, UN Development Programme
Helen Clark shares her perspectives on the occasion of APEC’s 25th Anniversary

UNDP Youth Published on Feb 6, 2016
Helen Clark: Remarks at 2016 ECOSOC Youth Forum
Closing Remarks by Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator at the 2016 ECOSOC Youth Forum (1-2 February, 2016). Full text: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/speeches/2016/02/02/helen-clark-closing-remarks-to-2016-ecosoc-youth-forum-.html

█ Twitter: Helen Clark @HelenClarkUNDP

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Loud politics, no PC on the side

█ Only in the cartoonist’s dreams….
Garrick Tremain 25 Jan 2017

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█ Only in America says a reader….
The Strip, Las Vegas 21 Jan 2017

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█ Only in the European Parliament….
#freespeechisbeautiful

Euractiv Uploaded on Feb 24, 2010
Nigel Farage insults Herman van Rompuy, calls EU President a “DAMP RAG”
MEP and UKIP leader Nigel Farage on Wednesday delivered another major tirade against EU President Herman van Rompuy and, along the way, severely insulted Belgium and Greece during a plenary debate in the European Parliament. Farage said Van Rompuy has the “charisma of a damp rag” and the appearance of a “low-grade bank clerk.”

Farage thinks Donald Trump will be a good President.
See his UK Telegraph opinion piece (20.1.17) cited at the post Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States of America.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Aurora Energy lines, Lindsay Rd, Caversham, Dunedin

iPhone Videos by Rose McRobie

Aurora Energy lines in residential Lindsay Rd, Caversham during the heavy winds last week. The street is located not far north of Lookout Point on the west side of the Southern Motorway.

● Some of the lines in the videos are supported by red-tagged poles.
● Delta has previously said the concrete poles here are prone to concrete cancer – the surface has pitted allowing moisture to corrode their steel reinforcing.
● Some lines are touching one another or tangling in the heavy winds.
● One resident when standing in his section can nearly touch the sagging lines in no-wind conditions….

idunedin Published on Jan 23, 2017
Aurora Energy lines (1 of 3)
IMG 1910 –

idunedin Published on Jan 23, 2017
Aurora Energy lines (2 of 3)
IMG 1911 –

idunedin Published on Jan 23, 2017
Aurora Energy lines (3 of 3)
IMG 1912 –

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

SDHB/Govt : Physio Pool GRIEF

140 Hanover St [rankedbyreview.co.nz]

Pool upgrade supposed to happen a year ago this month.

### ODT Online Mon, 23 Jan 2017
Grant lost as physio pool work stalls
By Eileen Goodwin
A $120,000 grant has been pulled from the Dunedin physiotherapy pool upgrade because no-one yet knows when — or even if — it will happen. And the Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust has confirmed a second grant, of $100,000, is subject to an extension review and a decision is awaited.
Pool trust secretary-treasurer Neville Martin […] hopes to know more by June, when the Ministry of Health is expected to release a shortlist of site options for the $300 million Dunedin Hospital rebuild.
Read more

“To avoid closure of the pool by the Southern District Health Board, the trust has been required to cover all operating costs since the beginning of 2015.” –Neville Martin

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Related Posts and Comments:
2.10.16 WHO says ‘heritage rules are too restrictive’ —What’s their agenda in the Heritage City
21.8.14 Dirty pool? #SDHB #University
6.8.14 Otago Therapeutic Pool at Dunedin Hospital

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

DCC Draft Annual Plan 2017/18

Council Chamber, Municipal Chambers [architecturenow.co.nz]

An ordinary meeting of the Dunedin City Council will be held on Monday 23 January 2017 in the Edinburgh Room, Municipal Chambers, The Octagon, starting at 9.00am.

● Agenda
https://infocouncil.dunedin.govt.nz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2017/01/CNL_20170123_AGN_482_AT_WEB.htm

1 Introduction                                                                                           
2 Apologies                                                                                              
3 Confirmation of Agenda
4 Declaration of Interest    
REPORTS
5 Draft 2017/18 Annual Plan Budget Material
6 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Water and Waste Group
7 Emissions Trading Scheme Liabilities and Proposed Carbon Management Policy
8 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Solid Waste
9 Update on the Tertiary Precinct Safety and Accessibility Upgrade
10 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Transport Group
11 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Parks and Recreation Group
12 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Property
13 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Arts and Culture Group
14 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Customer and Regulatory Group
15 Te Ao Tūroa Environment Strategy Funding
16 Review of the Allocation of Funding to Applicants to the Biodiversity Fund
17 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Community and Planning Group
18 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Enterprise Dunedin
19 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Corporate Services
20 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Corporate Support Services
21 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Waipori Fund
22 Draft 2017/18 Budget – Investment Account                                                            
 
● Council Open Attachments under separate cover
[see item 9 Update on the Tertiary Precinct Safety and Accessibility Upgrade]
https://infocouncil.dunedin.govt.nz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2017/01/CNL_20170123_ATT_482_EXCLUDED_WEB.htm

● Council Supplementary Agenda
23 2017/18 Rating Method
24 Notices of Motion                
https://infocouncil.dunedin.govt.nz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2017/01/CNL_20170123_AGN_482_AT_SUP_WEB.htm

█ Document Source:
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/agendas-minutes

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

DCC LGOIMA Response : Wall Street Mall and Town Hall Complex

Email correspondence.

From: DCC Governance Support
Sent: Friday, 20 January 2017 8:48 a.m.
To: Elizabeth Kerr
Subject: Official information response 280070 Council Buildings WOF

Dear Ms Kerr,

Official information request for information about COUNCIL BUILDINGS WOF

I refer to your official information request dated 28-November-2016 for the following information. Our response to each question is in red font [italics at this website -Eds]:

1. Does the council-owned Wall Street Mall (211 George St, Dunedin) have a current building warrant of fitness, and if not why not?

The Wall Street Mall at 211 George Street does not have a building warrant of fitness. The current status of the Wall Street Mall building warrant of fitness is that a Letter in Lieu was issued for the Specified Systems 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 because a full 12 months’ worth of daily inspections had not been completed. We can confirm that since July, 2015, these daily checks have been in place and this will not be an issue for subsequent warrants of fitness.

Please note that where a Letter in Lieu is issued this means the Independent Qualified Person (IQP) confirms that the systems in the building are working as they should and are compliant.

2. Since the construction of Wall Street Mall was completed in what years has it had a current building warrant of fitness issued, and if not why not?

Mar 2012 – Outstanding form 12A for Specified System 6 (Riser Mains).
Mar 2013 – Letter in lieu issued for Specified System 6 (Riser Mains).
Nov 2013 – Building Warrant of Fitness Received.
Sep 2015 – Letter in lieu issued for 2014/15 & 2015/16 compliance year for Specified System 15/3.
Regarding the reasons for this, please refer to the comments of the Manager, City Property below.

3. Does the council-owned Dunedin Town Hall complex, including Glenroy Theatre, Metro Cinema, and Municipal Chambers, have a current building warrant of fitness(s), and if not why not?
Since the major Dunedin Town Hall Redevelopment Project was completed (including Glenroy Theatre, Metro Cinema, and Municipal Chambers) in what years has it had a current building warrant of fitness(s) issued, and if not why not?.

There is no building warrant of fitness in place for these premises. Instead the Dunedin Town Hall complex, including the Municipal Chambers, Dunedin Centre and the Metro Theatre, have a Certificate of Public Use in place. This means the buildings are safe to use.

These buildings do not have a current Building Warrant of Fitness as, at time of writing, no current Code of Compliance has been issued following the completion of the redevelopment work as there were some building elements requiring attention relating to fire engineering. These elements have been completed and the documentation submitted to DCC Building Compliance for Final Inspection and issue of the Code Compliance. Once the Code Compliance Certificate has been issued there will be nothing to prevent the issue of a warrant of fitness at the next inspection.

If you wish to discuss this information with us, please feel free to contact Property Manager Kevin Taylor on 03 477 4000. Mr Taylor has prepared the following report for the chief executive. This is provided for your information:

The DCC Property department has previously engaged an outside contractor to administer and manage the BWOF compliance on DCC properties, in particular the Wall St Mall. In early 2015, the Building Compliance aspect was sold to Logic Project Management Consultants and a new company called Logic FM was formed and took over the majority DCC BWOF administration.

Our experience as we undertake building audits is that previous advice may have been too lax or liberal in assessing the building’s compliance with particular codes, specifically around fire protection and fire cells. We have also found that the inspections that were contracted to have been undertaken were not fulfilled, leaving gaps in the compliance processes. Thus the BWOF could not be issued by deadline or due dates.

Subsequently, it has been our experience that Logic FM has been interpreting code compliance components beyond that required by the law and schedules to the Acts governing the specified systems. Thus we have experienced a number of “notice to fix” instructions issued which are in error.

To satisfy ourselves that the BWOF is being managed and administered as it should be, DCC Property has engaged independent experts, especially structural and fire engineers, to review the building’s specified systems and as-built safety components. These independent audits have been completed and the required reports and Letters in Lieu issued to enable the DCC Building Authority to issue the BWOF.

The BWOF owners inspections have been brought in-house and are undertaken by the property team’s asset management staff. IQP inspections continue with the specific trades as required.

Yours sincerely

Governance Support Officer
Dunedin City Council

Mayor ignores serious plight of DCC’s FAILED Otago power network in favour of urban cycleways and CBD

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said one factor behind recent delays was the council “definitely screwed up” with the South Dunedin cycleway.

Mr Cull said he understood the NZ Transport Agency was about to start work at the north end of the one-way system. He was looking forward to the NZTA building its planned separated cycle network on the city’s one-way streets. “I’ll be very pleased when they actually get something going, because it has taken too long.”

### ODT Online Sat, 21 Jan 2017
Cycleway work to crank up
….The Dunedin City Council will spend $2.6million of government money on links between the Portsmouth Dr shared cycleway and the city, and State Highway 88 and the Dunedin Railway Station. Those improvements will help link cycleways on West Harbour and the Otago Peninsula. Council spending has been delayed on the peninsula, with $3million spent this financial year instead of an expected $10.3million. […] There were no plans for more cycleways in South Dunedin, other than remedial work on five intersections there, following botched work in 2015.
….The cycleway budget will be discussed at a meeting on Monday to consider the annual plan for the next financial year. […] The strategic cycle network budget would return to the long-term plan next year for community consultation.
Read more

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In which THE BLOODY CLUELESS (see italics) needs a freaking rocket.

Comments at ODT online (our italics):

Boldor Sat, 21/01/2017 – 7:06am #
My my Mr I’ve got no agendas is back to wanting to spend untold millions of dollars of ratepayers hard earned money on useless cycleways this money would be be better spent on infrastructure and a small but important thing known as the power grid and poles.

AJPemberton Sat, 21/01/2017 – 10:40am #
A quick rebuttal to Boldor : Cycleways are infrastructure and far from useless. It is not untold millions: they mention costs in the article. And it is a small fraction of the total spend on roads. The NZTA won’t be funding Delta to replace power poles either, that money is only for the cycleways. I was unaware Delta’s power grid maintenance was funded by Dunedin ratepayers, when did that happen?

█ For more, enter the terms *cycle*, *cycleway*, *cycling*, *bicycle* or *$47 million* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States of America

A reader says “How unpredictable life can be….yesterday fluked a ticket to the Inauguration and am now standing in Union Square with thousands of others.”

Sunrise over the Capitol, Inauguration Day [iPhone image supplied]

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The day of pageantry and ritual — orchestrated both to celebrate the installation of a new commander in chief and to symbolize a peaceful transfer of power — began with a church service and included a military review, a triumphant ­parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and evening balls. Washington Post

The White House Streamed live 13 hours ago
The Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States
President-Elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-Elect Michael R. Pence will be sworn in to office on the west front of the United States Capitol (5:02:08)

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### time.com 4:34 PM ET Updated: 8:31 PM ET
Donald Trump’s Unprecedented, Divisive Speech
By David Von Drehle
In a rancorous first speech, the new president announces a sharp U-turn in U.S. policy, “America First”
The inauguration of a new president is always a balance between the national legacy and the promise of a fresh start. It is common for the speaker to try to set himself apart. Nevertheless, when Donald John Trump stood for the first time as the 45th President of the United States in a light rain to deliver his address, he went where no president has gone in more than a century. Trump’s message was not on the order of John F. Kennedy’s torch passing, or Ronald Reagan’s declaration that government is the problem. It was not even a 21st century version of Andrew Jackson’s attack on corrupt and incompetent Washington. In 16 mostly harsh, mostly confrontational minutes, Trump laid out a view of America’s destiny and place in the world that would alienate his predecessors dating back to Theodore Roosevelt and beyond.
It may go down as one of the most consequential—or one of the most misleading—speeches in the history of presidential inaugurations. Newly sworn into office, Trump announced a U-turn in the foreign policy that has defined America’s place in the world for more than 70 years. And while he was at it, he savaged the record and the motives of a large number of the men and women seated around him on the West Front of the Capitol. For all his reputation as a builder, he entered office as a wrecking ball. His choice of Vice President Mike Pence and his Cabinet appointments have been sharply conservative, but President Trump’s first message to the world was as radical as they come, and as populist as a pitchfork. If he truly means what he said (always a pertinent question for a fellow who once said he enjoys being compared to P.T. Barnum), Washington is about to become even more rancorous. And the world is in for some very big—and entirely unpredictable—changes.
Read more

FebMar 2016 cover detail [economist.com via AP]

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ABC News Streamed live 13 hours ago
Trump Presidential Inauguration 2017 (FULL EVENT) | ABC News
Trump Inauguration begins at: 1:04:02
Trump Full Inauguration Oath/Speech begins at: 1:56:00
Trump Inauguration Parade begins at: 5:26:08
Donald Trump, now the 45th president of the United States, promised that he would work tirelessly for every American and vowed to put “America first.” Trump told Americans, “This moment is your moment. It belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America.”

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Read what Barack Obama said in final farewell after Donald Trump’s inauguration https://t.co/1aX0jfAqZM

— TIME (@TIME) January 21, 2017

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[excerpts supplied]
### telegraph.co.uk 20 Jan 2017 • 7:39pm
Donald Trump’s inauguration proves our revolution is in full flow – I can’t wait to see where it goes next
By Nigel Farage
This has been a very exciting week to be in Washington. A presidential inauguration is simply a massive event. And what I have found truly astonishing is the impact of Brexit on the American mind. As I walk through the streets – and even during a visit to Arlington Cemetery – people simply call out “Go Brexit!”. It is quite extraordinary. Many people want to come up, talk and say: “Thank you! You guys started it and now we’ve got Trump”. Despite the fact this is a big all-American event, there is a genuine feeling that Trump taking over the White House is part of a bigger, global movement. Our critics, looking at Trump’s candidacy and his speech yesterday, would call it the rise of populism. I would say it’s simply a return to nation state democracy and proper values. For this inauguration is not just a change from the 44th President to the 45th President of the United States. This is a genuine political revolution.
As you can see from the various people that Trump has appointed, be they generals or self-made millionaires, the political class in Washington has simply been bypassed. Trump of course must be careful and needs to keep his elected Republicans onside. But be in no doubt – everything will be different from now on. It will be a presidency where Twitter will continue to feature hugely. For as we were reminded at his inauguration, this is a president who is never frightened to say what he thinks. I have to say that, packed with his supporters, the whole event felt like a coronation. No wonder then that Trump was entirely true to himself and gave an incredibly powerful speech, reiterating of all of his campaign themes. It was an intensely patriotic oration and a genuine attempt to try and bring people together. I loved every word of it and cheered along with the crowd.
But what was particularly telling was to cast my eyes up at America’s political class and former presidents sat on the podium. They looked as though they were sucking lemons. That was the day’s most powerful statement that this was not a normal transfer of power. This is a political revolution that will make America great again.

Many in the liberal media elite here will never take to DJ Trump. I’m sure Donald won’t mind. He won and today he is king of the hill. I personally believe he has the qualities to be a very good president indeed. He is going to bring back money to America. He is going to bring back jobs to America. He is going to bring back proper border controls to America. That is what the American people elected him to do.

But Washington does have its share of protesters, many of them out in the street making quite a lot of noise. I expect over the course of the next few days there will be several demonstrations. The comforting thing though, is that the mood and atmosphere of these protesters reminds me of nothing so much as Bob Geldoff and his friends in the United Kingdom who would love to reverse Brexit – noisy but irrelevant to the direction of travel. Soon enough, even the noise fades away. Take comfort DJT.
The big political question on everyone’s lips here right now (besides what to expect of the new president) is where this mighty political bandwagon is heading next. For after the huge success of 2016, many out here in America are now asking if we will see more of the same in 2017. They are wondering whether the revolution we have seen in Britain and America will roll out across the rest of Europe too.
Read more [paywall]

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The front page of The New York Times, Jan. 21, 2017 https://t.co/04az6LamUQ pic.twitter.com/U3J1uSCZJk

— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 21, 2017

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We will follow two simple rules: BUY AMERICAN & HIRE AMERICAN!#InaugurationDay #MAGA🇺🇸

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2017

President Trump and Melania Trump, Inauguration Parade [abc7news.com]

THANK YOU for another wonderful evening in Washington, D.C. TOGETHER, we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/V3aoj9RUh4

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2017

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Related Post and Comments:
19.1.17 Video from America : Street protest —Washington DC #inauguration
27.12.16 Michael Lewis : The Undoing Project —Interview with Kathryn Ryan #RNZ
29.11.16 If you don’t like Trump – LOVE him for this #climatechangeCon

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

August 2015 [time.com]

Video from America : Street protest —Washington DC #inauguration

Footage direct from a reader on site today….

—

—

Obama holds final press conference https://t.co/qqkHu4RSya

— RNZ News (@rnz_news) January 18, 2017

Trump inauguration boycott escalates https://t.co/mtxwAP5xTc

— RNZ News (@rnz_news) January 18, 2017

Xero chair resigns after Trump appointment https://t.co/liXBXNHtJW

— RNZ News (@rnz_news) January 19, 2017

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Jarrod Stewart is EXACTLY RIGHT [what would Steve Thompson know]

At Facebook:

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Dunedin City Council-owned company [Aurora Energy Ltd] was showing signs it would return to its old ways as soon as public pressure began to lift.

ODT Online Thu, 19 Jan 2017
Claim Aurora facing $1b bill
By Vaughan Elder
The former director of Aurora Energy’s $30 million accelerated pole replacement programme says it is doomed to fail and believes the company faces a billion-dollar spend to upgrade its network. Jarrod Stewart says he quit the role last month in part because he believed the programme to replace thousands of compromised poles would be mishandled so badly someone would be injured. “I don’t enter jobs with the premise that I am going to fail,” Mr Stewart said. His claims were yesterday disputed by Aurora and Delta chairman Steve Thompson, who said they were “exaggerated” and it was disappointing he had gone public after leaving the company.
Read more

For real change to happen there needed to be a clean-out of management and the appointment of a “fixer” chief executive with an appetite for change and a willingness to make unpopular decisions.

—

At Facebook:

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Basic questions arising for the City, unpublished by the newspaper

Received from John Evans
Tue, 17 Jan 2017 at 7:47 p.m.

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From: John Evans
Date: Monday, January 16, 2017
Subject: KPI
To: ODT editor

The Editor, ODT

Sir,

We are often regaled by company directors, CEOs and bureaucrats with discourses on the importance of KPIs. KPIs?

Key Performance Indicators – one of many PR corporate speak Buzzwords.

Wikipedia’s definition is pretty broad but basically it means that certain measures designed by the company or board are measured against actual performances.

Recently, the term gained another meaning when KEY performance [was] reassessed in the light of John KEY’s resignation. Unfortunately his stellar career as Prime Minister seemed to be judged poorly by those political pundits doing the assessment.

The key word is Performance, the measure of which is judged in order to provide an increase in salary or measures which might lose the judged their position if they failed to meet the KPIs included as part of the employment contract.

The test is what performance is paramount and who is it paramount to.
These tests are important in worldwide businesses but is there a different reality in New Zealand? It seems to me that either the KPIs are set incorrectly or there is a disconnect because no one seems to fail, to not meet their predetermined KPIs.

[infront.com]

One example is the role of council lawyers. Why would council lawyers write in an employment contract a clause which gave the employee a golden parachute even if they failed to meet their KPIs? Or was it the employees themselves who wrote the KPIs for their own future benefit? Surely if this was so, the lawyers acting for the company or body they represent would refuse to condone the parachute for employees and directors after proven incompetence.

The Dunedin City Council and its management, and the council owned companies, are surely charged with KPIs and, one surmises, about the results of such indicators and the resultant effects on the council and its employees. Can we analyse a few actions of the council and what the KPIs may have been and whether they would meet them and perhaps the consequences of meeting them or not.

The first and most obvious one is the theft of 152+ cars.
What was the measure of acceptable theft? Was it 20 cars, 100 cars or was 150 cars sufficient to tip them over the edge. And as another example, what was the Police’s key indicator on this matter? Do they prosecute for the theft or conversion of 1 car or does it take 160 cars to prosecute somebody for being involved either in the theft or knowing receipt of a car or cars?

The next is the investment in land and development projects by Delta.
Was failure in one, two or three such projects acceptable or is the magic number 5 (Delta will do it again and we have not quite got there yet).

The Dunedin stadium KPIs. Is a running cost of some $20million acceptable as an annual loss to the ratepayers or should the losses be only $15million or shock horror only $5million. Or should the ratepayers be released from the financial burden which was never the choice of the majority?

Sewage Treatment KPI – Is it acceptable to process sewage to a point that it pollutes the ocean two kilometres out or are we entitled to potable water ex site at Tahuna?

Mudtank cleaning KPI – How many mudtanks cleaned would be an acceptable result, would a flood in South Dunedin suggest that measure was incorrect? Contractual performance and payment for same. Would a KPI for the DCC CEO include overall managing payments to contractors? If a contractor did not perform to those KPIs set within the mudtank cleaning contract, should the contractor be still paid?

Wastewater treatment – Is it an acceptable KPI for wastewater treatment that in high rainfall such overflows are discharged into the pristine Otago Harbour?

Delta KPI on pole replacement. Is 100 unreplaced tagged poles acceptable? Is 1000 acceptable? On suspect poles, is a KPI that the company changes so that they did not breach a previous KPI acceptable or should every company and council just change their KPIs to avoid failure, blame or the legal consequences?

Richard Healey, the “whistleblower” on Delta’s failures seems to have personal ‘built-in’ KPIs —including integrity, high quality job performance, peer safety and corporate responsibility. Just why do the CEO and directors’ KPIs apparently differ from these such that Healey has to resign for them to take note?

On Directors of the council owned companies, do their KPIs reflect their responsibility under the law or are they designed to protect the directors from prosecution under the law despite failure by other measures?

And where does the buck stop?

Just what are the KPIs upon which we judge the mayor, based? Is the only measurement his electability?

Are we the ratepayers not entitled to expect a KPI that includes retribution against failings in any DCC departments or DCHL companies? If we do not reward success and prosecute failure in some way are we not missing the whole point of Pavlov and his dogs? Should we not then close our prisons and let the perpetrators of violence, antisocial acts and any injustice roam free, surely this is the logical nett result of such an attitude of no judgement.

The analysis of John Key’s contribution would suggest that electability and performance may well be poles apart. Perhaps that is the greatest lesson we can learn from the errors of judgement of recent times in our city.

John P. Evans
Otakou

[ends]

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Scandal : DCC / Delta obfuscate over destruction of Heritage Rose Collection

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin [swgc.org]

DCC indicates support for efforts to track down rare rose varieties across New Zealand. Initial focus on replacing up to 100 memorial roses and rarest roses in the collection.

█ This is not the same as DCC and Delta taking responsibility for the crime.

### ODT Online Wed, 18 Jan 2017
Six years to replace rare roses after mystery spray
By Vaughan Elder
Returning an internationally significant rose garden at Dunedin’s Northern Cemetery to its former glory will be a “huge job” and likely take six years. This news comes as Delta, the contractor responsible for looking after greenspace at the cemetery, was criticised over a lack of accountability at how a mystery substance came to be sprayed on the roses. Heritage Roses Otago convener Fran Rawling said it was becoming apparent more roses were affected than initially thought. About 500 roses, more than 40% of the about 1200 at the cemetery, were showing signs of damage. Despite some regrowth, she believed most would have to be ripped out along with any contaminated soil.
Read more

Otago Daily Times Published on Jan 17, 2017
Rare roses damaged in Dunedin Cemetery
Heritage Roses Otago convener Fran Rawling talks about damage to roses in Dunedin’s Northern Cemetery.

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Heritage Roses Otago committee member Robyne Selbie has hit out at Delta saying it had shown a lack of accountability over the damage to the roses. “Accidents happen. We can accept that but the culture of ‘cover up and deny responsibility’ until proven otherwise seems to be established in this company,” she said in a letter to the Otago Daily Times. (ODT)

DCC is rather good at unbelievable (faith breaking) spin, its well-practised hopeless resort when all else has already failed. Interested public v DCC (1 : 0)

Robyne Selbie maintains that ‘As the contractor responsible for spraying, it was up to Delta to prove it was not responsible.’

Hear hear, Robyne! Don’t hold your breath.

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Souvenir de la Malmaison – Northern Cemetery [Fiona Knox]

█ [blog] Fiona Knox: The 1,001 roses of the Dunedin Northern Cemetery
There are well over 1,001 roses in the Dunedin Northern Cemetery. About one hundred of these are Memorial Roses – roses planted as by descendants and relatives for those buried in the plots – and the remainder are roses that Heritage Roses Otago have purchased and planted, and continue to care for. The roses chosen are those in keeping with the age of the Cemetery, which was opened in 1872. You’ll find species roses; once-flowering European roses of delicious perfume: Gallica, Alba, Centifolia, and Damask roses; the elegant ever-flowering roses of Asian extraction: the Chinas and Tea roses; and their hybrids, up to, but not including Hybrid Tea roses. None of our roses are ever sprayed, and we never water the roses. 
Read more

Website: Heritage Roses Society New Zealand
Facebook: Heritage Roses New Zealand

Website: New Zealand Rose Society/Otago
Facebook: The Otago Rose Society [Dunedin]

Picloram herbicide (amine salt formulation) controls the likes of old mans beard, spindleweed, wild ginger, japanese honeysuckle, willows, gorse, wandering dew, woolly nightshade, ivy and many more hard to control woody weeds.

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Earlier coverage

### ODT Online Sat, 17 Dec 2016
Anger after cemetery roses sprayed with herbicide
More than 380 roses in Dunedin’s Northern Cemetery, some of which are more than 130 years old, have been sprayed with some kind of herbicide. Heritage Roses Otago convener Fran Rawling told the Otago Daily Times yesterday she was shocked and angered by the action, particularly by the damage to 40 memorial roses planted by families of some of those buried at the cemetery in the 1870s. […] Dunedin City Council parks operations manager Hamish Black said the council was working to identify the source of the chemical damage.
Read more

ODT 22.12.16 (page 2) [click to enlarge]

Is DCC shielding Delta over the spraying ???? Because now we find no report until after Christmas ???!!!! Damage control in more ways than one, perhaps.

### ODT Online Sat, 24 Dec 2016
Damage to roses, bushes, trees
Trees and native bushes are now thought to have been damaged by a mysterious substance which decimated heritage roses at a Dunedin cemetery. The results of tests to determine what damaged as many as 500 roses in the Northern Cemetery, some  more than 130 years old, were expected to be released this week. However, council parks operations manager Hamish Black yesterday said  results were now expected to be released next month.
Read more

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Whistleblower continues campaign vs #AuroraEnergy #DeltaUtilityServices

Last year’s news….

[Story/Newshub]

Back when….
Grady Cameron said on national television … “We Have A Safe Network” …
Did Grady get a tour of dangerous poles three years ago – or not ?
Was he shown just ONE pole at Green Island/Abbotsford.
Who would we rather believe.
Not Grader.

### newshub.co.nz 31/10/2016
Delta CEO fronts up on dangerous, toppling power poles
By Jendy Harper
A fortnight ago, we brought you the story of thousands of dangerous power poles which are putting lives at risk and have already been responsible for a death. The poles are the responsibility of lines company Delta and are dotted around Otago. A whistle-blower walked out on a 30-year career in electricity to speak out because he said management weren’t listening to his safety concerns. Richard Healey estimated there are 3000 power poles which need to be replaced. Today, Delta said they need to make dramatic changes and they will borrow $26 million dto replace 3000 power poles by the end of next year. Why did it take one man’s death and a whistleblower to speak out before the company acted? Delta CEO Grady Cameron finally speaks to Story.
MUST SEE Video [full Story report]

****

At Facebook yesterday:

█ Deloitte’s Aurora report (Dec 2016)

█ For more, enter the terms *aurora*, *delta*, *dchl*, *dangerous*, *poles*, *gigatown*, *grady*, *cameron*, *crombie*, *luggate*, *jacks point*, *auditor-general*, *noble*, *yaldhurst* or *epic fraud* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

a drive to . . . .

boyceavenue Published on Nov 13, 2016
Closer – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey (Boyce Avenue ft. Sarah Hyland cover) on Spotify & iTunes
We recently traveled to Los Angeles to film a couple videos with our good friend Sarah Hyland. She is an amazing actress and has a beautiful voice.
Audio & Video Produced by Boyce Avenue
Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Adam Barber
Directed & Arranged by Alejandro Manzano

MGKVEVO Published on Dec 1, 2016
Machine Gun Kelly, Camila Cabello – Bad Things
Directed by Hannah Lux Davis

TheWeekndVEVO Published on Nov 23, 2016
The Weeknd – M A N I A
Directed by Grant Singer
Produced by Saul Germaine & Nina Soriano
For Anonymous Content

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█ Parental Advisory and Viewer Warning:
The following video contains explicit content and depicts graphic violence which may be offensive to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

TheWeekndVEVO Published on Oct 13, 2016
The Weeknd – False Alarm
False Alarm (Official Video). Taken from the new album Starboy.
Directed by Ilya Naishuller
Produced by Clarissa Troop
For Mirror Films / Great Guns

TheWeekndVEVO Published on Jan 12, 2017
The Weeknd – Party Monster
Party Monster (Official Video). Taken from the album Starboy.
Directed by BRTHR
Produced by Sara Greco & Jamee Ranta
For STRANGELOVE

Alan Walker Published on Dec 1, 2016
Alan Walker – Alone
Produced by: Bror Bror
Directors: Rikkard & Tobias Häggbom
Concept by: Lisa Hultengren, Johanna Hoffman & MER
Drone crew Bergen: Fredrik Hinsch & Kjetil Fredriksen
Drone operator Trolltunga: Tor Orset
Additional footage: Alexander Zarate Frez
Thank you to all the Walkers out there that contributed with footage and as extras in this music video. You are not alone.

EllieGouldingVEVO Published on Aug 25, 2016
Ellie Goulding – Still Falling For You
From the “Bridget Jones’s Baby” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

2CELLOS Published on Aug 7, 2013
2CELLOS – Highway To Hell feat. Steve Vai [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser performing Highway To Hell by AC/DC with Steve Vai, from their album IN2ITION produced by Bob Ezrin.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Local govt and the question of general competence #North

Received.
Mon, 9 Jan 2017 at 10:56 p.m.

Subject: Did you notice……

Message:
Whangarei District Council was reported on TV3 as supporting protesters who have put a road block across four roads and are not letting trucks pass because they are pissed off with the dust from the roads, and want them sealed. Not that we wouldn’t have sympathy with their cause, but how is it right for a Council to support illegal road closures?
These Councils may have been given by law the power of general competence but they sure don’t warrant the confidence of central government in hope that they may become generally competent……

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Protesters set up four separate road blocks along Pipiwai Road [newshub.co.nz]

### newshub.co.nz 15/12/2016
Northland residents block dusty roads in protest
By Wilhelmina Shrimpton
Frustrations have reached boiling point as locals of a small Northland town fight to have a notoriously dusty logging truck route sealed. Locals have had enough and stepped up protest action by blocking logging trucks from using the gravel roads. “Don’t piss me off, you either do it or you go,” one protester yelled at a truck driver while blocking the road. “What you gonna do bro? What you gonna do? Cause you ain’t going down here today!” Puti Tipene says the dense dust clouds thrown up by the trucks are unhealthy and dangerous. […] Locals say up to 50 trucks drive along unsealed routes every day, and believe the council isn’t doing enough to help. […] Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai says the council wants the roads sealed but doesn’t have the money. “We’ve had money in our budget to do it … if there was a subsidy from our partners the NZTA, that hasn’t happened. Until that happens, we don’t think it’s appropriate for the wider ratepayers to pay 100 percent of that.”
Read more + Video

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Pipiwai Valley protest [ngapuhi.iwi.nz]

### newshub.co.nz 09/01/2017
Protestors block trucks from dusty Northland road
By Newshub staff
Ten people blocked off a Northland road today in a fight to have the notoriously dusty logging truck route sealed. Protesters set up four separate road blocks around Pipiwai Valley on Monday morning, an area they say is plagued by dust kicked up both water tanks and trucks. They parked vehicles across Pipiwai Rd to deter trucks, but are letting locals through. Police were at the protest, which was kept low key. Protest organiser Alex Wright says truckers may have been tipped off and taken another route. Those truck drivers that did come their way had to reverse back down the gravel road. […] “It’s affecting our way of life… It’s horrific. We can’t handle it anymore and that’s why we’re here today. We’ve tried all avenues.” Ms Wright says they’re their new campaign won’t stop until the road is sealed.
Read more

****

Truck-generated dust at Pipiwai, an ongoing issue for more than 10 years.
Photo: Graham Wright [nzherald.co.nz]

### NZ Herald Online 10:47 AM Mon, Sep 14, 2015
Logging and trucking industries asked to pay $132k
By Alexandra Newlove – Northern Advocate
Logging and trucking industries will be asked to cough up cash to help solve a dusty road problem that has had residents up in arms for more than a decade. Whangarei District Council had allocated $400,000 over the next two years to seal ten 100m strips along the notoriously dusty Wright, McCardle and Pipiwai roads west of Whangarei, though the work was expected to cost $532,000, said WDC roading manager Jeff Devine. “We will be asking the industry if they can make up the [$132,00] shortfall,” he said. The New Zealand Transport Agency declined a $4.5 million funding request from council early this year for a full 9km seal of Wrights Rd and McCardle Rd. Pipiwai Titoki Advocacy for Community Health and Safety Group spokeswoman Alex Wright said she was unconvinced that the strip sealing would make a huge amount of difference. “It’s our 11th year now. We’re heading in the right direction but need to do it properly and completely.” Mr Devine said he agreed that the dust was a health and safety issue. “The big issue is that when they shifted the port from Whangarei to Marsden Point the traffic direction changed. It was never planned when the forests were planted that this would be the [trucking] route.” Council would continue approaching central Government for money to seal the remainder of roads, Mr Devine said.
Read more

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

DCC/DCHL responsible for failed rollout of ‘gigatown’ #dangerouspoles

14.1.17 ODT: Old poles choking Gigatown
13.1.17 ODT: Connecting to fibre not possible on red tag pole

Related Post:
13.1.17 Aurora with yet another headache

WHO IS DIRECTLY AND FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE ?

● Dunedin City Council
● Dunedin City Holdings Ltd
● Aurora Energy Ltd
● Delta Utility Services Ltd

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IN OLDER NEWS

### ODT Online Wed, 26 Mar 2014
Safety liabilities stop with directors
By Simon Hartley
Company directors are set to be held more accountable for employee injury or death under tougher new health and safety regulations, highlighted by Gloria Davis’ recent conviction over the eight deaths attributed to the sinking of the Easy Rider fishing vessel last year. The national Institute of Directors backs the expectations placed on directors, regardless of the company size or number of employees, saying ultimately the “buck stops” with company directors. […] Professional Dunedin director Stuart McLauchlan, national president of the Institute of Directors and former Otago institute branch chairman, says directors must get to grips with the new health and safety requirements and that “reporting” of health and safety issues, and acting on them, was “the key” for directors. Nothing has changed in terms of liability. After people advise administration on health and safety issues they must act; ultimately the buck stops there with directors,” he said when contacted in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. […] Mr McLauchlan said the directors’ institute and the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment last year ran roadshows together around the country, specifically outlining directors’ health and safety responsibilities, and have a template on the institute’s website, on health and safety requirements and obligations.
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Related Post:
25.3.14 Delta blues . . . and Easy Rider

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The Deloitte report for Aurora Energy was released publicly on 12 Dec 2016.

Stuart McLauchlan ceased being a director of the council owned companies Aurora Energy and Delta Utility Services on 12 Dec 2016. Commencement date for his directorships of both companies: 1 Jun 2007.

Aurora Energy Ltd – http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/471661
Delta Utility Services Ltd – http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/453486
Dunedin City Holdings Ltd – http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/559098

█ For more, enter the terms *aurora*, *delta*, *dchl*, *dangerous*, *poles*, *gigatown*, *grady*, *cameron*, *crombie*, *luggate*, *jacks point*, *auditor-general*, *noble*, *yaldhurst* or *epic fraud* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Aurora with yet another headache

At Facebook:

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Note this particular meat from Richard Healey’s Facebook post:
[my emphasis]

“If you have a property where the lines were built before 2001, then Aurora owns everything up to the house. The only exceptions are where the lines have been brought up to standard and a letter has been sent to the property owner transferring ownership of the lines or a prior agreement is in place. That has almost never happened in Dunedin. If you think that you have been billed, and shouldn’t have been, write to Aurora. If you don’t get redress file a claim.
If you would like to read the appropriate legislation, look up the electricity act 1992 and search for the definition of “point of supply”.
What does that mean? It means that it’s probable that thousands of Dunedin residents have been charged for maintenance to lines and poles that they do not own.”

█ Electricity Act 1992
Reprint as at 18 October 2016
http://www.legislation.co.nz/act/public/1992/0122/latest/DLM281858.html

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

No Integrity | Cull’s FULL INSULT to Ratepayers and Residents

The Star cites the Mayor-terrible:
“Creating the Vision. 2017: Positive, confident, outward-looking Dunedin”

█ Go to http://www.thestar.co.nz/news/creating-the-vision/

Opinion. The Mayor is a disgrace.

Starter for 10:
1. Responsible for DCC flooding South Dunedin in 2015
2. Responsible for Council’s lack of infrastructure spending and monitoring
3. Responsible for wasting +$20million pa of Ratepayer funds to prop up the loss-making Stadium
4. Responsible for Council not investigating the misuse of public funds by Carisbrook Stadium Charitable Trust
5. Responsible for wasting millions of Ratepayer dollars on unworkable cycleways
6. Responsible for overseeing lack of prosecutions for Jacks Point and Luggate
7. Responsible for Council ignoring constructive fraud and money write-offs at Noble Yaldhurst
8. Responsible for lack of prosecutions for Citifleet (+152 cars sold on, 2003-2013)
9. Responsible for lack of progress with council debt reduction
10. Responsible for criminal neglect of Otago’s power network via Aurora/Delta/DCHL boards and management

So yeah. Has kept Dunedin’s economy at a standstill since being elected to office.

Not a smart learner.
Deals in OBFUSCATION, hides behind deadbeat mouthpieces while practising a pronounced lack of fiducial responsibility to Ratepayers and Residents.
Ending in chaos and disaster for those set to inherit ‘Dunedin’.

Re lack of vision…
Responsible for the lack of Health & Safety leading to an appalling eye injury at the DCC-managed New Year 2017 event held in the Octagon.

Your main job, Mr Mayor, is to get the Otago power network and Dunedin’s water infrastructure, roads, reserves and community owned assets into first class working order.

But actually, just f*** off altogether.

Wanted: New leader with a cool business head, capable of rigour and empathy.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

How to drop Crombie and the mafia from City boards

Or read, how the new city council will continue to undermine the Ratepayers and Residents of Dunedin, as well as the power consumers and district councils of Otago, just like before…. by allowing ill-considered (shoulder tap) appointments of a ‘class of morons’ to the boards of the City companies.

Troughers Unite.

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ODT 11.1.17 (page 4)

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.