Councillor don’t tell us, we know Dunedin industry and manufacturing is Tops

But Rachel Elder did need to inform Mr Mayor, since it’s he who opines that [singularly ???] “weightless” manufacturing will one day make Dunedin great.
A while back Mr Mayor lauded expansion at Speight’s, Emerson’s and Greggs ….but recently, dreadfully, when interviewed by John Campbell on RNZ Checkpoint, Mr Mayor had trouble remembering these and other multimillion-dollar manufacturing investments in the good people, raw products and knowhow of Dunedin City. As well, he slipped past the convenient fact that the deputy mayor is a director of Scott Technology Ltd, and his old flower Mr McLauchlan, advisor and confidant, is the company’s board chairman.

Notwithstanding, Ms Elder thought it necessary to set herself a free writing project, an op-ed to ‘tell’ Mr Mayor, as well as advertise her paid work skills. Yes, yes, we’re all for free speech and pumping political mileage; however, we are the converted and connected, we know just how great Dunedin manufacturing is and can be —if not for DCC.

It must be said, though, that Mr Mayor’s speech at the Cadbury protest in the Octagon last Saturday was a large complimentary step up from the fatal Checkpoint phone interview.

—

“Messaging that it is too expensive to export from Dunedin and that we are too far away from markets and that manufacturing is best not done here does not support the many families and individuals who work in this sector.”
–Rachel (take that Dave Cull) Elder

### ODT Online Wed, 15 Mar 2017
We have skilled workers and can make it all here
By Rachel Elder
OPINION As an employment consultant and someone who advocates for a wide range of jobs in Dunedin, I am keen for Dunedin to be advertised nationwide as a place that is great for manufacturing and production as this will supply jobs to our skilled workers. The fact is Cadbury is owned by a multinational that has caused its demise. Manufacturing can be done here well and efficiently.
Read more

Comment published at ODT Online:

ej kerr Wed, 15/03/2017 – 7:59pm #
As a city councillor Ms Elder should be overtly aware that the Dunedin City Council-owned power distribution company Aurora Energy Ltd does not and cannot offer a safe and secure electricity supply network for businesses, manufacturers and other large power users (this aside from the now obvious inability to offer safe supply to residential users). The mayor and councillors are not listening and not communicating clearly on the state of Aurora’s burnt asset. Thankfully, the Otago Daily Times has filled that void with strong news reporting. At a cost of one billion dollars to repair and upgrade the existing lines and facilities – not counting the cost of new development work required in Central Otago and Lakes District to meet growth and increasing infrastructural demand – there will shortly be a very heavy impost landing on all local businesses via rates increases. Such an unpopular debating topic at the head-in-the-sand Dunedin City Council.

****

Truly fine examples of the sort of thing your grandmother and mother will tell you about Dunedin that Mr Mayor can’t:
. . . .

McMeeking Manufacturing, 123 Maclaggan St

Jaytee Baking Cups have been a household name since the 1930s, when the company was founded by a printing engineer James Thomas Williamson, hence the name Jaytee. Since acquiring the company in 1979, McMeeking Manufacturing has been the largest supplier of Baking Cups in New Zealand with exports to Australia and the Pacific Islands. Due to the dramatic increase in bakeries, cafes etc, the range of products – all manufactured in the Dunedin factory – has grown to fulfil customers requirements and follow the latest trends. Read more at https://www.jaytee.co.nz/

. . . .

### ODT Online Wed, 15 Mar 2017
Machine tool smart, versatile
By Simon Hartley
Farra Engineering’s latest $1.3 million machining kit not only has the capacity to work 24/7, but can text its progress to operators day and night. The DMG Mori “multi-pallet (work bench) horizontal machining centre”, supplied by a German-Japanese merged company, has been running for about a fortnight, at Farra Engineering, Dunedin, chief executive John Whitaker said. The DMG Mori could work on castings weighing just a few grams, on pieces weighing up to three tonnes, and castings up to 1.4cu m in size. “Being so productive, we’re going to the marketplace to fill the spare capacity,” Mr Whitaker said.
Read more

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: jaytee.co.nz – jaytee baking cups

Just beginning…. inquiries into council company rogues

Updated post
Thu, 29 Dec 2016 at 1:47 p.m.

—

ODT 28.12.16 (page 12)

*smartphone tweak by whatifdunedin

****

THANK YOU LEAKS

Another demonstration, published via ODT today (see link below), of Lame Brains and Arrogance —Grady Cameron BULLSHIT and BLUSTER

Grady says !! “one of the largest construction projects in Otago during 2017” because…. since he was first appointed, Grady has COMPLETELY FAILED as chief executive of Delta and Aurora. Increasingly weak and witless. He is criminally negligent under New Zealand’s health and safety legislation. If WorkSafe tries to diminish that truth by applying the soft touch – there will be an Otago Riot.

As for Steve Thompson, given his latest offerings (and his past with Otago Rugby Football Union et al), he appears f’g clueless, a seller of hype, awesomely unfit to be (interim!) chairman of Aurora:

“Mr Thompson also told staff it was an “exciting” time to work for Delta…. “As a new chair and board we’re clear that the network needs modernising, that enough hasn’t been done in the past, that we’ll do more and faster in future.””

Modernising. Modernising.

One man dead.
Very little money at bank.

—

Whistleblower Richard Healey questioned Mr Brosnan’s appointment, saying his background was in management, not engineering. Delta did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.

### ODT Online Thu, 29 Dec 2016
Director for $30m pole project
By Vaughan Elder
Lines company Aurora Energy has appointed a director to oversee its $30.25million pole replacement programme. Two memos sent to staff at Aurora’s sister company, Delta, before Christmas have been leaked to the Otago Daily Times. One is from chief executive Grady Cameron and the other from newly appointed chairman Steve Thompson. Mr Cameron outlined progress on the company’s accelerated plan to replace nearly 3000 poles in Aurora’s electricity network which is spread across Dunedin, Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes area. […] Godfrey Brosnan had been appointed programme director and would report directly to Mr Cameron.
Read more

Not an auspicious start.

[More poles! Let’s pull in slave labour from overseas….. hmm maybe we don’t even have money for that…..]

Lots of legal clouds beginning to hover over Delta/Aurora HQ at 10 Halsey St – how long can Grady Cameron, Gary Johnson, Godfrey Brosnan and Steve Thompson keep their pay ?

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Images: newshub.co.nz – Grady Cameron | 10 Halsey St (web image) tweaked by whatifdunedin

What GIVES : Aurora/Delta/DCHL/DCC ?? Energy Safety/WorkSafe ?? ComCom ??

Due process and natural justice demand a different outcome in the Delta/Aurora case, writes Robert Hamlin. (ODT)

### ODT Online Thu, 22 Dec 2016
Rotten process needs fixing, too
By Rob Hamlin
OPINION Employment law is a minefield, which only those who assiduously apply due process can navigate. After the publication of the damning report by Deloitte, there have been calls in this community and this newspaper for Grady Cameron, the CEO of Delta, to be removed. Any lawyer will tell you that even with this report in hand, there will be a procedure to be followed before any such removal can occur. […] Enough time has now elapsed since the Deloitte report was published for the boards of Delta and DCHL along with the DCC to make their intentions clear to the community.
Read more

● Robert Hamlin is a senior lecturer at University of Otago Department of Marketing, commenting in a personal capacity.

****

Comments at What if? Dunedin:

russandbev
2016/12/22 at 11:45 am
Of course the Dunedin Mayor, DCHL, Aurora and Delta will always say that the network is “safe” because once they admit to it NOT being safe then they are liable. Actually that raises an interesting issue. My understanding is that if an officer of the Council is aware, or made aware, of an unsafe environment or practice on or around any Council property – and that includes roadways, pathways, parks etc and does nothing about it, then that officer is personally liable for any subsequent issue. Surely Cull, as an officer, is now aware through his much delayed meeting with Richard Healey that the network is unsafe. He only needs to read the ODT to learn of the continued failures if he still can’t bring himself to accept the truth from Mr Healey. Why then is Cull not being pursued by Energy Safety or WorkSafe or the DCC internal Health and Safety personnel?

—

Alex Brown
2016/12/22 at 12:39 pm

Click to access leadership-sme-guide.pdf

Page 2 Directors Duties – “ensure company has appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise those risks and uses them”
Prioritising funds for a sports stadium would not be a defence.
Ask any small business (easy target) slapped with instant fines for incorrect scaffold or any commercial truck driver who receive huge fines for safety issues.
If ever the law should be applied it is in this case. WorkSafe needs to send a clear message to troughers who love sitting on boards under the safety of Council always backed up by the ratepayer.

Alex Brown
2016/12/22 at 12:51 pm
Penalty for the Directors – 5 years imprisonment, $600k fine.
So our lawmakers also intended it be taken very seriously.

█ For more, enter the terms *aurora*, *delta*, *grady*, *luggate*, *jacks point*, *dchl*, *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.

*Image: googlesnipers.org – topsecret1

Aurora/Delta : RNZ’s Kathryn Ryan with Rod Oram

Updated post
Tue, 20 Dec 2016 at 10:41 p.m.

ODT tomorrow….
On Channel 39 news, editor Barry Stewart says “Half of the Delta executive management team have jumped ship, since the pole scandal erupted.”
http://www.thinkdelta.co.nz/about-us/executive-leadership-team/

—

### radionz.co.nz Tue, 20 Dec 2016 at 11:06 am
Nine to Noon Link
Among the topics Kathryn Ryan talks to Rod Oram about, is the Electricity Authority’s tweaking of its controversial re-pricing of transmission charges, amid a chorus of opposition.
Audio | Download: Ogg MP3 (14′58″)

—

Within the interview Oram speaks to the Deloitte report for Aurora/Delta.
He finds the report sobering “although the language was very moderate”.
Listen from 04:05 to 08:09

Kathryn Ryan: “…possibly they’ve dodged a really really bad news story and a really really bad event in the process.”

Oram: “They have.”

Oram: “…I just find it pretty inexplicable that council owned companies should have… I’m choosing my language, obviously, carefully here …have had inadequate oversight from the Council over such a long period and that there hasn’t been a disaster as a result of this.”

He goes on to say “the potential for one is identified”…
See Aurora/Delta’s prioritisation of pole replacements around schools and hospitals.

[The numbers for pole replacements in the Deloitte report goes under-reported.]

—

It will be a very very long while before the dangerous Aurora electricity network is made SAFE. In that time a really really bad news story or more could hit.

Sadly, the death of Delta lineman Roger Allan Steel (63) near Millers Flat on 9 December 2010 was the first really really bad story….

NZ Herald (30.1.13) —“Delta was prosecuted under the Health and Safety in Employment Act and was fined $75,000 in the Alexandra District Court in October 2011 after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its employees while at work. The charge was laid by the then Labour Department … The pole that fell had earlier been placed by a Delta work gang, in the footing of the pole it replaced … The hazard identification procedure adopted by Delta and its employees was unsuitable and needed to be improved, Coroner David Crerar said.”

Famous last words.
Grady Cameron: “As the coroner noted, Delta has reviewed and made enhancements to our work practices. We wanted to make sure that we never have another workmate in this position again.”

“Cameron said Delta had taken remedial action including red-tagging all poles deemed unsafe to climb, the introduction of systems to quickly locate vehicles and employees wherever they were working and had also made changes to work instruction forms.”

Fast-forward to October 2016. Whistleblower Richard Healey reveals major SAFETY CONCERNS with the Aurora/Delta electricity network. As a consequence, Grady Cameron is found severely wanting in not meeting the claims he made to Coroner Crerar about taking remedial action ….sufficient to safeguard the lives of lines staff and the public. Gross mismanagement and negligence applies.

█ For more, enter the terms *aurora*, *delta*, *grady*, *luggate*, *jacks point*, *dchl*, *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.

*Image: radionz.co.nz.co.nz – rod oram

Harbourside: Official information request to Dunedin City Council

Note: LGOIMA official information requests can be emailed direct to officialinformation @dcc.govt.nz

DCC Webmap – Upper Harbour Central Dunedin JanFeb 2013

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From: Elizabeth Kerr
Sent: Monday, 7 September 2015 2:30 p.m.
To: Sandy Graham [DCC]
Cc: Elizabeth Kerr; Grace Ockwell [DCC]; Sue Bidrose [DCC]
Subject: LGOIMA Information Request

Dear Sandy

Re: Urban Design and Envisioning for Dunedin Harbourside

I note the following media items:

● ODT (19.8.15) Cull to push for more city hotels [hotel accommodation]
● ODT (20.8.15) Under-fire Cull stands by comments [hotel accommodation]
● ODT (26.8.15) – A Mackay, Opinion Harbourside development adds vibrancy
● ODT (31.8.15) – P Entwisle, Opinion Extraordinary works inspired by nature [Van Brandenburg]
● ODT (5.9.15) Waterfront the next big thing? [bridge, aquarium, ORC headquarters, hotels etc]
● ODT (5.9.15) Harbourside views in conflict
● ODT (5.9.15) ORC denies hindering development
● ODT (7.9.15) Vogel Street Party spreads its wings [Van Brandenburg ‘hotel’ model]
● ODT (7.9.15) Conferences ‘great’ boost for city

●● DCC media release (27.8.15) Building stronger local government connections with China

●● Indications are that DCC wants Otago Rowing Club to relocate from their premises to a site of the DCC’s choosing.

I wish to formally request ALL reports and visionary/guiding documents and or statements/statements of proposal or intent that are currently being used by Dunedin City Council in consultation with other parties (real and potential – local, national and international) be they:

focus groups, steering groups, working parties, development partners, surveyors, designers/architects, resource management specialists, investors, project facilitators, project managers, University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, Otago Chamber of Commerce and or other – to ‘shape and envision’ the future development of Dunedin Harbourside in the urban area that extends from:

Otago Boat Harbour and its vicinity (includes Industrial 1 zone, Stadium zone, Port 2 zone) to the area zoned for mixed use south of Dunedin’s Steamer Basin (Harbourside zone) and further south to Portsmouth Drive (Industrial 1 zone); including connections to existing precincts TH12, TH13, TH05, TH04, TH03 and TH02.

Any corresponding information and explanation that derives from the, to be publicly notified (this month?), second generation plan (2GP) for these city blocks and foreshore area is also requested.

I look forward to prompt receipt of all available information in electronic format.

Regards

Elizabeth Kerr
[Dunedin North]

——————

From: Sandy Graham [DCC]
Sent: Monday, 7 September 2015 2:42 p.m.
To: Elizabeth Kerr
Cc: Grace Ockwell [DCC]; Sue Bidrose [DCC]
Subject: RE: LGOIMA Information Request

Dear Elizabeth

Thanks for your very detailed LGOIMA request which I have forwarded to the officialinformation @dcc.govt.nz. Your request will be processed under the terms of LGOIMA and a response will be provided as soon as practicable but in any event within 20 working days.

Regards
Sandy

[DCC Group Manager Corporate Services]

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
[it’s OK, not holding my breath for too much public disclosure]

Support Dunedin’s FoodShare —with donations

“Invest in us so we can take that investment and turn it into something real in the community.” –Deborah Manning, FoodShare

### ODT Online Tue, 7 Apr 2015
Half a million meals for Dunedin’s hungry
By Shawn McAvinue
More than 500,000 meals destined to be dumped have been diverted by a Dunedin non-profit group to feed the city’s hungry. FoodShare manager Pip Wood said more than 70 volunteers collected unwanted but edible food from more than 30 donor businesses, such as grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, bakeries, cafes and farmers’ markets. The food was then distributed to more than 20 social service agencies.
Read more

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FOODSHARE
Rescuing Food | Nourishing Communities
FoodShare collects excess fresh and frozen food from donor businesses (markets, cafes, bakeries etc), then sorts and distributes it to social service agencies. This allows us to achieve our twin aims of feeding the hungry and reducing food wastage. As a not-for-profit organisation, we neither buy nor charge donors for the food; nor do we charge the agencies to which we deliver. All our work is undertaken by volunteers.

FoodShare is a non-profit organisation in Dunedin, New Zealand. An incorporated charitable trust & registered charity (CC47792).
FoodShare’s Board of Trustees are chairman David Kirk, CEO Deborah Manning, Michael Coughlin, Pieter Brits and Suneil Connor.

█ Check out FoodShare supporters here!

TO CONTACT OR DONATE FOOD OR CASH
Website: http://www.foodshare.org.nz/
Email: foodrescue @ foodshare.org.nz
Phone: 0800 44 55 33

Mailing Address:
FoodShare Charitable Trust, PO Box 12039, Dunedin 9043

█ FoodShare Gallery

The Dunedin Night Shelter Trust provides emergency housing for homeless people. John Whelan receives donated food from the University of Otago.
The nutritious fresh food is used straight away to feed their hungry clients.

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### dunedintv.co.nz September 2, 2014 – 5:53pm
Local charity celebrates a milestone
More than 100,000 kilograms of food destined for landfill has been recovered by a local charity. FoodShare has been retrieving unwanted food from a range of Dunedin businesses since early 2012. But even as the organisation celebrates its success, demand for its service is growing exponentially.
Video

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images: FoodShare

DCC Shame: First, John Wilson Dr nonsense, now Portobello Rd cycleway

The agreement meant Portobello Rd, between Andersons Bay Rd and Portsmouth Dr, would remain a two-lane road, after the council last year reduced it from four lanes to accommodate a new cycleway.

### ODT Online Wed, 18 Mar 2015
Cycleway compromise earns praise
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council has earned praise from a group of businesses after compromising to resolve a cycleway dispute in Portobello Rd. But the council has also been urged to learn lessons after initial changes introduced on the road prompted an outcry in the area. The deal was confirmed yesterday after a closed-door meeting between councillors, council staff, business representatives and cycling advocates, chaired by the Automobile Association Otago district councillor Norman Oakley.
Read more

****

Comment at ODT Online:

Money wasting madness from DCC
Submitted by photonz on Thu, 19/03/2015 – 1:09pm.

$320,000 spent already for 700m of cycleway, that was already sealed, is madness. And now it has to be redone.
Just like the cycle crossing on Victoria Road that was rebuilt three or four times at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars, yet despite passing over it multiple times a day, including rush hour, I’ve seen it used by bicycles just once in nearly a year.
Similar money wastage is now happening with total redesigns of intersection kerbing around St Kilda, at the cost of many thousands of dollars, including intersections which are some of quietest and least used in all of Dunedin.
Yet not a dollar for the very busy intersection at Allendale/Forbury/Bay View Roads, where opposing right turning traffic on Forbury Road, is channelled into a head-on collision.
Heads should roll at the DCC – this is madness. It’s a waste of our money to spend hundreds of thousands on barely used or needed pet projects, often redoing them several times, while not spending a cent on dangerous intersections.

****

The letter from Cr Vandervis was delayed for publication supposedly due to slow reply: [Psalms 118.1….]

ODT 19.3.15 (page 16)

****

### dunedintv.co.nz March 18, 2015 – 5:54pm
Opposing parties reach agreement over Portobello Road development
Parties at loggerheads over plans to develop the southern part of Portobello Road have reached an agreement. The Dunedin City Council and Automobile Association has met with cycling advocacy group Spokes and business owners about changes to the road. Representatives have come up with a mutually agreeable plan to widen the section of road between Timaru Street and Portsmouth Drive. It will provide room for large trucks to safely enter and exit industrial sites along the road. And there will be a 3m cycleway separated from traffic, allowing cyclists to travel in both directions along the road. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Ch39 Link [no video available]

—

Dunedin City Council – Media Release
Positive Meeting on Portobello Road Plans

This item was published on 17 Mar 2015

A revised concept plan for the southernmost section of Portobello Road has been welcomed by key parties.
A meeting was held this morning between some Dunedin City Councillors, DCC staff and representatives from the Automobile Association (AA), cycling advocacy group Spokes Dunedin, local businesses and leaseholders. Those at the meeting, which was chaired by AA Otago District Councillor Norman Oakley, strongly supported the revised concept plan for the section of Portobello Road between Timaru Street and Portsmouth Drive. The proposed plan addresses concerns with the existing layout, by providing room for large trucks to safely enter and exit industrial sites along the road.
The revised concept plan increases the total road width to 10.1m, made up of a northbound and a southbound lane, with a 2.5m painted median strip between the lanes (such as in Hillside Road). A 3m wide, two way cycleway, separated from traffic, is still part of the plan. This concept means removing the current concrete median to make more room for the new lanes and the median strip. The intersections at either end of the road remain the same.
DCC Infrastructure Services Committee Chair Cr Kate Wilson says, “I congratulate all the groups involved for working collaboratively to reach such a positive result. Once the revised plans have been finalised, we will be asking other interested parties and the wider community for feedback.” Cr Wilson noted the revised concept plan did not propose major changes for residents on that stretch of road, who can still access their properties as they do now.
AA Otago District Councillor Hudson Biggs says the revised plan is a workable solution for all parties. “There has been a lot of work in the background to get to this point and what has been presented recognises the fact there needs to be cycle access from South Dunedin along Portobello Road, while still meeting the needs of other road users.” Spokes Dunedin Chair Robert Thompson also supported the revised layout. “It strikes the right balance between all road users, providing a high standard cycleway and improved vehicle access within a more intuitive road layout.”

CSL Containers Director Philip Chapman says the new plan addresses his concerns very well. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

DCC Group Manager Transportation Gene Ollerenshaw says the proposed design will now be finalised and released within the next two to three weeks for wider feedback from the community. Further consultation will include a mail drop to nearby residents, discussions with other parties such as Bayfield High School and signs to alert motorists who use that route. Following that feedback, the design will be finalised and construction completed as soon as possible before the end of the year.

[click to enlarge]

█ Download: Portobello Rd cross section information (PDF, 96 KB)

Contact Infrastructure Services Committee Chair on 03 477 4000.
DCC Link

****

Dunedin City Council – Media Release
Further consultation on Portobello Road Changes

This item was published on 28 Nov 2014

The Dunedin City Council will work further with key parties to finalise a design for the southernmost section of Portobello Road.
DCC Infrastructure Services Committee Chair Cr Kate Wilson says the decision was made following a constructive meeting on Wednesday attended by Councillors, DCC staff and representatives from the Automobile Association (AA), cycling advocacy group Spokes, local businesses and leaseholders.
The meeting, which was chaired by the AA, discussed the recent changes to the section of Portobello Road between Andersons Bay Road and Portsmouth Drive. Discussions began with some context setting. The use of that part of Portobello Road has changed greatly, as has the land ownership in the area. Rather than being a high volume commuter route, it is now a relatively low volume road used by heavy transport, with industrial land on one side and residential on the other.
The road has been altered to accommodate one of the key cycleways in the new South Dunedin Cycle Network. The first stage of work was completed in May. The concept was not fully implemented then because of funding constraints, but the intention was to do further work if it was required as funds became available.
Cr Wilson says a preliminary layout for the second stage was developed in consultation with AA, Spokes and residents and businesses in the area. “However, further feedback from businesses, leaseholders and the public, conclusions we have drawn ourselves, issues around the look and feel of the road, access to the industrial properties and safety concerns at the Timaru Street end mean some further consideration of options is needed.” “We take seriously the concerns raised and following this week’s meeting we will seek further inputs from the affected businesses and leaseholders so we incorporate their concerns and needs into the options.”
DCC Group Manager Transportation Gene Ollerenshaw says in the meantime some interim improvements would be investigated with urgency, such as signage and road marking, particularly at the Timaru Street end. The DCC is still aiming to complete the project in the 2014/15 year.

Contact Group Manager Transportation on 03 477 4000.
DCC Link

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Santa Parade, Dunedin (7 Dec 2014)

A People Day —images by Elizabeth Kerr
The flavour of the Santa Parade for those who couldn’t make it to George Street on Sunday. Following the eight sets of images (lowres only for website use, sampled from 540 frames) there is a link to last year’s photographs. The only disappointment yesterday was that Santa wore dark glasses….Big Mistake, and failed to pin his hat on securely for gusty conditions, it flew off at the best place to get photos, sigh.

Here be young and old, Mayor Cull, the ‘future generations’ stuck with paying for your amazing +$20 million per annum loss-making stadium, Christmas! If they can pay for it.

Congratulations to parade organiser Mark Laughton and the Dunedin Santa Parade Trust for another highly enjoyable and successful event.

—

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Set 6

Set 7

Set 8

Octagon concert crowd

█ Santa Parade, Dunedin (1 Dec 2013)

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC promotes Riccarton Rd as sole heavy traffic bypass

█ City council and spooks menace Riccarton Rd property owners
█ Conflicted Mosgiel-Taieri community board pushes agendas
█ What’s really going on ????

Former Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board member Brian Miller, a resident of Riccarton Rd, is one of four landowners along the stretch who have declined to sell part of their land to the council for the project.

### ODT Online Wed, 23 Apr 2014
Get road fixed – board
By Debbie Porteous
The Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board has again urged the Dunedin City Council to get on with improving Riccarton Rd, saying it is even more of a priority now the council has agreed to allow 50-tonne trucks on local roads. The board made the plea in its submission to the Dunedin City Council on its 2014-15 draft annual plan. […] The council plans to widen and strengthen Riccarton Rd to improve its safety, and is working through land purchases to that end.
Read more

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50MAX vehicle carrier with HPMV H-sticker (NZTA)

NZTA | 50MAX
Updated: 15 April 2014
50MAX is a new generation of truck that allows for safe and more efficient transport of freight goods.
50MAX vehicle combinations have one more axle than conventional 44 tonne vehicles combinations, meaning the overall truck load is spread further and there is no additional wear on roads per tonne of freight.
50MAX gives operators an option to carry increased payloads on parts of the network that, while economically important to New Zealand, carry lower volumes of freight. The increased payloads of 50MAX can lead to economic benefits for producers, customers and our communities.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is now accepting 50MAX permit applications for State Highways in the North Island and South Island, as well as a steadily increasing number of roads delegated by local authorities.
50MAX permits for other local roads will be rolled out as they become available (in the meantime, 50MAX operators can apply for higher mass HPMV route permits from local authorities).
Read more + 50MAX vehicle designs

On the road
● Trucks will be permitted to carry loads of up to 53 tonnes on specified routes.
● Some types of trucks, including logging rigs and vehicle carriers, will be allowed to extend to 22m “as of right” instead of by permits.
● Some buses will be allowed to be 13.5m long – up from 12.6m now.
● Farm machinery will be allowed on roads at all hours, as long as it occupies no more than one lane.

50MAX 23m logging combination [NZTA] (click to enlarge)

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Northland council amalgamation

### radionz.co.nz Tuesday 12 November  -  12:20 pm NZT
(Updated 38 minutes ago)
RNZ News
Single council for Northland proposed
The Local Government Commission has recommended a single unitary council for the whole of Northland.
The commission at Waitangi on Tuesday revealed its draft proposal for reorganising local government in the region. It proposes one council and one mayor for Northland and a second tier of community boards.
A new nine-member council, to be based in Whangarei, would replace Far North District Council, Whangarei District Council, Kaipara District Council and Northland Regional Council.
The commission also proposes a special council committee to represent Northland’s large Maori population.
RNZ Link

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Related Posts and Comments:
29.6.13 Audit NZ and OAG clean bill of health —Suspicious!
21.4.13 Councils “in stchook” —finance & policy analyst Larry.N.Mitchell
19.3.12 Local government reform
21.2.12 Kaipara this time

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Posted by Elizabet Kerr

Dear DCC: Dunedin’s [choke] $47M cycle network

Received from Lee Vandervis
Thursday, 18 July 2013 7:16 a.m.

—— Forwarded Message
From: Lee Vandervis
Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 07:09:10 +1200
To: Dave Cull, Mayor Cull, Kate Wilson, Colin Weatherall, Richard Thomson, Chris Staynes, Teresa Stevenson, Andrew Noone, Paul Hudson, Jinty MacTavish, Neil Collins, Fliss Butcher, Syd Brown, John Bezett, Bill Acklin, Lee Vandervis
Cc: Paul Orders, Sue Bidrose, Sandy Graham
Conversation: An inspiration for Cycling in Dunedin
Subject: Re: An inspiration for Cycling in Dunedin

Dear Councillors

This video link below to the Indianapolis new Cultural Cycle Trail has been sent to us by Mayor Cull as “an inspiration for Cycling In Dunedin”.

The salient points if you do not have 8 minutes to watch the whole video are:

1 – NO RATES OR TAX MONEY WAS USED TO PAY FOR IT! The whole US$63MILLION for the Indianapolis cultural trail was DONATED by philanthropy. [Like Eion Edgar’s $1 million donation to the stadium, but more so. – It actually happened, and 63 times.]

2 – It looks great with the ADDITION OF US$2MILLION of donated Art.

3 – From Wikipedia, – “Indianapolis’ population is 829,718. It is the 13th largest city in the United States, and one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States.”

4 – It is catering to only a few of their 800,000+, entirely financed by a much fewer hyper-rich philanthropists.

What does the Indianapolis Cycle Trail have in common with Dunedin’s proposed $47 million cycle network that our Mayor is getting all inspired about??

In short, nothing.
Absolutely nothing – a far removed and totally rich American dream.

Please do not be inspired to spend us even further into $600,000,000+ plus interest worth of debt for this ‘inspiration’.
The time to stop digging into more ratepayer debt was at least 3 years ago.

Cheers
Lee

—————

On 17/07/13 10:25 AM, “Dave Cull” wrote:

FYI
Spokes, and Hank and Robert in particular have been working very constructively with staff on the network plan. A great example of partnering up with the community. We are doing the same with the business people around Robert St to work out a win-win there too.

Dave

—————

From: Hank Weiss
Sent: Tuesday, 16 July 2013 4:58 p.m.
To: Dave Cull
Cc: Jinty MacTavish; Teresa Stevenson; Richard Thomson; Kate Wilson; Andrew Noone; Fliss Butcher
Subject: An inspiration for Cycling in Dunedin

Dave:

Here’s an 8 minute video, I hope you will consider sharing it with the rest of the Council. http://www.streetfilms.org/the-indianapolis-cultural-trail/

It’s a great idea and implementation success story from an unexpected U.S. City – Indianapolis. They turned the vision of an urban cycle track into a unique cultural celebration.

The best line: “We didn’t talk about this as an infrastructure project, we talked about it as a quality of life and an economic development project” (Brian Payne).

As you know very well, it’s not about catering to a few. With stories like this we might just swing and inspire all the Councillors along (well almost all)!

Thanks for being an inspiration yourself today, Dave. I am proud of the leadership on display from you and your colleagues.

—
Cordially,

Hank Weiss

—— End of Forwarded Message

—

Related Posts and Comments:
8.7.13 Bloody $tupid cycleways and Cull’s electioneering . . .
28.3.13 DCC DAP 2013/14: Portobello Harington Point Road Improvements
26.2.13 DCC binge spending alert: Proposed South Dunedin cycle network
22.2.13 DCC: Council meeting agenda and reports for 25 February 2013
31.1.13 Who? 2010 electioneering

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Bloody $tupid cycleways and Cull’s electioneering . . .

### ODT Online Thu, 4 Jul 2013
DCC propose to close Roberts Street
By Carolyn McLean
OPINION Once again the DCC is bulldozing over strong public opinion to push through a proposal, which will only benefit a minority of people.
DCC are proposing to close Roberts Street at the foot of the overbridge on Wharf Street to allow a cycle track to be installed and improve safety in the area.

This proposal will have an extremely adverse affect on all businesses in this area and it appears that the needs of business owners are being sacrificed to the needs of cyclists.

At present there is a perfectly adequate cycle track, which follows the harbourside and avoids the Portsmouth Drive/Wharf Street traffic, but DCC thinks that an alternative route for cyclists should be a reality and seem prepared to ignore the opinions of affected businesses to pursue their goal. At least two meetings have now been held between DCC representatives and local business owners but still the DCC seem hell-bent on pursuing their objective of more cycle lanes with no consideration of how it affects anyone else. Dunedin city is already in the doldrums with businesses struggling in the wake of the world-wide recession and flow on affects from that. DCC should be encouraging local businesses instead of putting more obstacles in their way. This proposal needs to be stopped.
ODT Link

● Dunedin Cycling Routes [see map]
● Proposed Cycle Network [see maps and related information at this link]

—

Related Posts and Comments:
28.3.13 DCC DAP 2013/14: Portobello Harington Point Road Improvements
26.2.13 DCC binge spending alert: Proposed South Dunedin cycle network
22.2.13 DCC: Council meeting agenda and reports for 25 February 2013
31.1.13 Who? 2010 electioneering

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images: odt.co.nz – Dunedin cycling (detail); dunedin.govt.nz – Strategic Cycle Network Overview (detail)

Green Island activity centre

Progressive Enterprises is in talks with the Dunedin City Council aimed at turning the Royal Tavern site and surrounding land at Green Island into a major supermarket development.

### ODT Online Mon, 29 Apr 2013
New supermarket plan hailed
By Chris Morris
A planned multimillion-dollar supermarket development in Green Island could bring jobs and investment and trigger wider improvements in the area, a Dunedin city councillor [Colin Weatherall] says. Progressive Enterprises is in talks with the Dunedin City Council aimed at developing a Fresh Choice supermarket on land between Main South Rd and Shand St. The site includes the now-closed Royal Tavern, as well as land next to Green Island Memorial Park and a block of council-owned flats.

A Progressive Enterprises spokeswoman would only say there were no confirmed plans for Green Island, although the company was ”always looking for great sites and Dunedin is no exception”.

The development is yet to be confirmed, but council staff have confirmed ”reasonably serious discussions” began six months ago and are progressing.

The proposed site was zoned ”Local Activity 1”, which allowed for a supermarket as long as conditions – including site coverage and signage – were met. That meant a non-notified consent process – without submissions or a hearing – was most likely, unless special circumstances warranted otherwise.
Read more

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Would you trust Dunedin City Council to protect public and private interests via a non-notified consent process ? ………..NO.

A major development should always be PUBLICLY NOTIFIED, otherwise there’s stuff to hide.

‘Red carpet not red tape’ is FULLY ANTI-DEMOCRATIC.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC ‘vision’ (spatial plan chess)

Read: Mayor and Councillors “trumped” by the contrivances of staff bureaucrats and their greedy developer friends. They call it public consultation. Or open chequebook.

—

Mayor Dave Cull described the plan as presenting the vision for the future city and the district plan as setting out the rules for development.

### ODT Online Tue, 18 Sep 2012
Spatial plan passes
By Debbie Porteous
A long-term vision for the development of Dunedin was adopted by the Dunedin City Council yesterday with a warning from councillors to developers. The Dunedin Towards 2050 – A Spatial Plan document provides the council with direction on managing future growth and development in Dunedin by specifying the nature and location of development in the city in years to come. It has no regulatory force, but carries some weight in resource consent and district plan change decisions and will guide the current review of the district plan, which is not expected to be operative until 2015.
Read more

—

Cr Colin Weatherall is on the SERIOUS button, he knows there’s trouble ahead:

“During discussion on the plan Cr Colin Weatherall, the chairman of the council’s hearings committee, issued a note of caution about using the plan as a justification in resource consent applications, because the district plan still takes legal precedence.”

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Local government reform

### stuff.co.nz Last updated 09:24 19/03/2012
Local government reform to be announced
By Danya Levy
The Government is expected to announce details of its local government reforms today which aim to reduce rates increases and curb council debt. Prime Minister John Key said this morning the Government believed the 7 per cent average rates increase since 2003 was too much for the community to shoulder. “We accept there are lots of arguments around infrastructure deficit and the cost of bitumen but overall we want to see that number lower,” he told Newstalk ZB.
Read more

****

### scoop.co.nz Monday, 19 March 2012, 10:50 am
Government must give ratepayers greater protection
Press Release: NoMoreRates.Com
[Statement from David Thornton]
Government must give ratepayers greater protection from free-spending councils. Ratepayers around the country are looking for some solid changes to local councils when the Government makes its promised announcements on local government reform later today. While controls on rates and debt are the main issues there is also the question of limiting those council activities which lead to high debt and ever-increasing rates. This could need inserting new clauses in the Local Government Act clearly defining the services and facilities which councils can and cannot be involved in.
Read more

****

Ms Sage hasn’t quite got it right, see Dunedin City Council’s unmanaged debt.

### scoop.co.nz Monday, 19 March 2012, 12:00 pm
Local Govt Reforms Driven By Ideology, Not Good Governance
Press Release: Green Party
A manufactured crisis is being used as an excuse to drive ideological changes to local government, the Green Party says. “Central government proposals to cap rates, limit council spending, and force amalgamations would further undermine local democracy,” Green Party local government spokesperson Eugenie Sage said. “The key challenges local authorities face are a backlog of infrastructure investment where populations are growing and their reliance on rates as their major funding source.”
Read more

****

### scoop.co.nz Monday, 19 March 2012, 10:50 am
Government must give ratepayers greater protection
Press Release: NoMoreRates.Com
[Statement from David Thornton]
Government must give ratepayers greater protection from free-spending councils. Ratepayers around the country are looking for some solid changes to local councils when the Government makes its promised announcements on local government reform later today. While controls on rates and debt are the main issues there is also the question of limiting those council activities which lead to high debt and ever-increasing rates. This could need inserting new clauses in the Local Government Act clearly defining the services and facilities which councils can and cannot be involved in.
Read more

****

### radionz.co.nz Updated at 6:15 am today
News
Cabinet to consider local government reforms
The Cabinet is to consider a range of proposals aimed at controlling growing costs in the local government sector. Local Government Minister Nick Smith has said his main concern is council spending and the financial burden of rates on households and businesses.
Read more

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Related Posts:
12.3.12 DCC debt
7.3.12 D Scene: Call for full inquiry into stadium project
27.2.12 Bringing DCC councillors, staff, related entities and individuals to account
21.2.12 Kaipara this time
3.2.12 Local government
17.1.12 DCC living beyond its means [all spending and debt not declared]
4.7.11 Local government finances
16.6.11 “Dunedin” – we introduce Transparency International UK

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

My Christchurch Business Is OPEN

UPDATED 28 March 2011
New websites offer free business listings

www.mychristchurchbusinessisopen.co.nz

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www.lovechristchurchmade.org.nz

We Love Christchurch Made. Love Christchurch is the emphasis of this campaign. We want to encourage consumers and organisations to support Christchurch businesses wherever possible, to help Christchurch get back up on its feet as quickly as possible. When you support a Christchurch product or service, you’re helping to rebuild Christchurch and therefore also helping the New Zealand economy. So come on New Zealand let us all get behind Christchurch whenever possible and help build a brighter future for us all.

www.supportchristchurchbusiness.com

Christchurch city in New Zealand has been devastated by a major earthquake.
Please support our city by buying from Christchurch businesses.
Over 50,000 people will not be able to even go into the Christchurch CBD for weeks, let alone work there. However, you can help make sure that these businesses and their staff survive.
Follow our Twitter updates @supportchchbiz

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www.chchcreative.co.nz

Christchurch has a wealth of talented and hard-working freelance creatives.
Due to the earthquake, a number of freelancers have lost premises and equipment. Work flow is at a standstill for many.
This website is here to help. It provides a database of Christchurch-based creatives with the aim that companies from other cities may supply projects to help sustain our freelance community through this period of recovery.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Dunedin can provide vacant buildings, warehouses and offices #eqnz

UPDATED 7 March 2011

Civil Defence in Christchurch wants people to hold off on demolishing buildings unless there is an immediate risk to public safety #eqnz

### ODT Online Mon, 7 Mar 2011
Help, not exploitation Dunedin focus
By Eileen Goodwin
Dunedin must walk a “fine line” between helping Christchurch business and seeming to exploit the situation, Dunedin City Council economic development unit manager Peter Harris says. Mr Harris said the business unit viewed the situation primarily as aid, rather than a commercial opportunity.
Read more

### ODT Online Mon, 7 Mar 2011
Steady stream of real estate inquiries
Some Christchurch businesses are considering moving to Dunedin but uncertainty over practical issues such as insurance means they are unable to make firm decisions, Dunedin commercial real estate agent Mike Elford says.
Read more

****

### ODT Online Thu, 3 Mar 2011
Dunedin space offered
By Chris Morris
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie yesterday told the Otago Daily Times the Christchurch earthquake was a tragedy, but could also be a “game-changer” for the entire South Island economy.

The Otago chamber had been inundated with more than 100 offers, after asking members for a list of vacant buildings, warehouses and offices in Dunedin available for use by Christchurch businesses. That included premises available free of charge, at low cost or commercial rates, and for flexible, short- and long-term leases. Others were offering free internet, office furniture or reduced-cost transportation, among other services, or to take on apprentices from Christchurch short-term.
Read more

### ODT Online Thu, 3 Mar 2011
University of Otago aiding affected students
By John Gibb
In the aftermath of last week’s earthquake, the University of Otago is taking several measures to support Canterbury and Lincoln University students who have been affected. Since late last week, Otago University has been helping with the relocation of international students from Christchurch to Dunedin. A limited number of domestic students had also made inquiries about transferring to Otago and some had already arrived in Dunedin.
Read more

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Harbourside: more negotiation to come

### ODT Online Sat, 17 Apr 2010
Plan for harbour resolved
By David Loughrey
The Dunedin City Council appears to have staved off what could have been a bitter Environment Court battle with the city’s business community, after a joint announcement yesterday that an agreement on the harbourside development had been signed. For its part, the council has agreed to dump much of stage two from its harbourside plan, meaning a reduction to its “50-year vision” for the area. Businesses have agreed to accept stage one, subject to further negotiation.

THE AGREEMENT
• DCC has signed an agreement with Otago Chamber of Commerce and businesses affected by harbourside development to avert Environment Court battle.
• Council has agreed to drop stage two of the development, reducing its size.
• Chamber and businesses have agreed to stage one, subject to continued negotiation.
• Parties will now negotiate, before taking resolved issues to Environment Court for approval.
Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC media release – Harbourside Stage Two

[Otago Chamber of Commerce Media Release below]

Dunedin City Council
Media Release

DCC To Withdraw Part Of Stage Two Harbourside Development

Dunedin (16 April 2010) – The Dunedin City Council has resolved to withdraw part of its planned Harbourside development partly in response to concerns raised by appellants concerned about effects on local businesses.

Cr Colin Weatherall, authorised to represent the Council in negotiations with the Otago Chamber of Commerce and five affected businesses, says the Council will withdraw part of its proposed Stage Two of the development.

It will continue to mediate with those affected to confirm objectives, policies and rules for the rest of the Harbourside zoning.

Along with all of Stage One, the Council is planning to retain from the original Stage Two parts to the south of Stage one and the designations of the Fairley Street Walkway, and the Heritage Buildings identified in the plan.

Parties to the agreement to withdraw part of stage 2 are local businesses Crawford Glass Dunedin Ltd, Kaan’s Catering Ltd, Bradken Resources Pty Ltd, and Farra Engineering Ltd, along with the Chamber.

The Council’s vision for a revitalised inner Harbourside basin, with a mix of activity, people, places and industry, depends on changing zoning in the area. A change of zoning to Harbourside was approved in February last year, but has looked likely to end in the Environment Court due to concerns about the effects on businesses.

Cr Weatherall says all parties hope that by removing the most controversial parts of the proposal, mediation can continue with goodwill on all sides, hopefully without need to have lengthy appearances before the Environment Court.

He says the parts of the zoning north of Willis Street, which will be abandoned, were unlikely to take place for several decades anyway and, given the changes to Dunedin and the world economy in just the past couple of years, it seems sensible to come back to the inner harbour as the principle focus .

“This allows us to keep the visionary view of what the area can become, but retain the viability of local businesses” says Cr Weatherall.

Public notice of withdrawal of part of Plan Change 7: Dunedin harbourside to the Dunedin City District Plan
Clause 8D of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991

The Dunedin City Council gives notice of its withdrawal of the area marked ‘A’ on the map below which was rezoned as Harbourside by way of Plan Change 7: Dunedin harbourside. The area marked ‘A’ on the map below will revert back to Industrial 1 Zone or Port 2 Zone as it was prior to notification of Plan Change 7 on 26 January 2008.

There will be consequential changes to some District Plan provisions to remove reference to the area that is now being withdrawn. A full copy of the updated provisions for Plan Change 7: Dunedin harbourside are available from the City of Dunedin website www.dunedin.govt.nz/harbourside.

The reasons for the Dunedin City Council’s decision to withdrawal part of the Harbourside Zone are:
a) this is a compromise with appellants to resolve the appeals.
b) it allows the objectives of the plan change to be met while protecting industrial activities in the area.

Otago Chamber of Commerce
Media Release

Council Votes to Save Jobs

The signing of this agreement and the resolutions passed by Council on the 29 March 2010, are a clear indication that the Council has listened to the Chamber’s representations and has reassessed its “vision” for the Harbourside development.

The Chamber, on behalf of its members, and in the best interests of the city, has opposed part of the Harbourside development plans as proposed in the conviction that, had it proceeded as planned, existing jobs would be lost along with any future job prospects. The Chamber, together with the other appellants Farra Engineering, Bradken Resources, Kaan’s Catering and Crawford Glass Dunedin, have worked hard with Council representative Cr Colin Weatherall to reach a position that will satisfy many of those concerns.

On behalf of the Chamber and the appellants, and all the industries within the Harbourside, I wish to take the opportunity to thank all those many people who assisted in the outcome. Particular thanks are due to Cr. Weatherall who, on behalf of the Council, has worked tirelessly with us to fully understand our view of the impacts of the proposal on industry and jobs and, having understood, represented those issues to Council with total integrity to achieve this positive outcome.

The Chamber has worked successfully with Council on a number of initiatives over the last twelve months. The Harbourside Plan Change is one of the few issues that have taken longer to successfully resolve.

I take this opportunity to place on record the Chamber’s pride in its working relationship with the Council. On behalf of its members we remain committed to offering the large pool of expertise represented among our members and to working with the Council on issues that will improve the economy of Dunedin and the lifestyles of its residents.

For more information, contact John Christie, Chief Executive on
Phone 03 479 0181 or 0274 915 916

—

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

File note: stadium infomercial in ODT today

Joy! A two-page spread.

The companies associated with the stadium build, nine months into construction, are telling us it’s “On track for 2011”.

Take their word over Malcolm Farry’s. Malcolm and the Mayor are still tightening nuts. FuBarr is also raising its head in the mentions.

The companies:

Acoustic Engineering Services
Anderson Lloyd
Arrow International
Beca
Brazier Scaffolding
Concretec
Delta Utility Services
Fletcher Reinforcing
Hawkins Construction
Paterson Pitts Partners
Populous
Sports Surface Design & Management
Stahlton Engineered Concrete
Stresscrete Southland
The Model Workshop
Tonkin & Taylor

You might’ve also tripped over the Rugby World Cup 2011 icing appearing either side of the stadium spread.

Luckily, a newspaper can’t blast you with the Jesus Jones ‘Right Here, Right Now’ (1991) single, newly announced as the cup’s ticketing campaign song. Such a lacklustre Feelers version; it’s beginning to saturate free-to-air television ad slots. When will the cup ‘anthem’ be announced?

Our very own rugby stadium. Er, times two.
Carisbrook RIP

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

Withdraw proposed Harbourside plan change in its entirety!

On the basis of all information now to hand, there is no basis whatsoever for the proposed harbourside plan change. Not for stage 1, not for stage 2. Not for any of it. Certainly, not while there is no at grade crossing in Rattray-Fryatt St for direct vehicle, cycle and pedestrian access to the Steamer Basin from the CBD.

The ODT editorial writer can descend into waffle as much as he likes (he started well) – the whole plan change must be withdrawn. Throw it back at Jim Harland and Chalmers Properties Ltd. May it knock them out. ABANDON PLAY.

There is no point in a compromise.
There is no point in the Environment Court process being pursued.

Lunacy is very hard to give up.

****

### ODT Online Sat, 27 Mar 2010
Editorial: Harbourside jobs
The clamour against the Dunedin City Council harbourside district plan changes is louder than a foundry hammer. Businesses in the area are alarmed and upset and are being backed in an extraordinarily strong show of support by the Otago Chamber of Commerce and other firms around the city. The businesses fear that changes to a mixed “harbourside” zone will kill them off, whether it be quickly or – as one manager said – by a thousand cuts. Gone will be the security of industrial zoning rights to underpin current operations and possible expansion.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Harbourside: POL boss says the issues of reverse sensitivity “overstated”

### ODT Online Wed, 24 Mar 2010
Chamber campaign to sink harbourside scheme
By Mark Price
An Otago Chamber of Commerce advertising campaign aimed at putting pressure on the Dunedin City Council to drop its controversial plan change 7: harbourside, is being backed by more than 160 businesses. An “open request” from the chamber, to be published in the Otago Daily Times tomorrow, calls for the council to “immediately withdraw the proposed harbourside plan change and save the jobs that will be lost …”

The plan change, expected to be debated at Monday’s council meeting in Middlemarch, would open up the harbourside to non-industrial uses such as apartment buildings, cafes and restaurants.

Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

Otago Chamber of Commerce campaigns for harbourside

The Chamber calls for the support of its members.

Tweets received today:

@OtagoChamber We need your support re Harbourside http://ow.ly/1nw1i Otago Chamber ODT campaign (facebookpage http://ow.ly/1nwbi )

@OtagoChamber Become a fan of the Otago Chamber of Commerce on facebook http://ow.ly/1nuWi

The Otago Chamber of Commerce is the leading economic agency in Otago.
It has a mission to actively promote and encourage business growth and opportunity in Otago, New Zealand.

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Post by Elizabeth Kerr

Parking changes – protest and interim response

Today (Monday), Dunedin City Council agreed a set of resolutions to bring about relatively immediate changes to central city parking for assistance to retailers and local business in the run up to Christmas, in particular. The council working party has been constituted to examine the wider issues which lie with the parking strategy. Heaven knows what we will end up with if the council thinks buses (as we know them…) are a substitute for the convenience of independent car travel. Let’s leave that one for another day.

### ODT Online Mon, 28 Sep 2009
Parking protests by bagful
By David Loughrey

The clamour for immediate parking changes in Dunedin has gathered impetus, as further protest appeared yesterday on city streets.
Read more

Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s ODT carry more on parking, with D Scene featuring those responsible for the ‘bag protest’ last Sunday.

Post by Elizabeth Kerr