### ODT Online Wed, 17 May 2017 Delta appoints new CEO
Dunedin City Council-owned company Delta has appointed a new chief executive as it splits with sister company Aurora Energy. Delta chairman Steve Thompson announced today that Mike Costelloe will take over as chief executive of the company next month. […] Mr Thompson said Mr Costelloe was appointed following a thorough and competitive executive search process, which considered candidates from throughout New Zealand and overseas. Since January 2015 Mr Costelloe had been strategic accounts general manager at Downer New Zealand and before that he was the Otago and Southland general manager at the same company. […] “His track record in the highly competitive contracting sector positions him well to drive Deltas future success, to prepare the organisation as it adapts to new energy technologies and to deliver to the exacting requirements of our customers,” Mr Thompson said. Mr Costelloe, who resides in Dunedin, said he was looking forward to taking on the new challenge when he took over the role on June 19. […] Dunedin City Holdings Limited (DCHL) is in the process of implementing director changes for its subsidiaries Delta and Aurora Energy from 3 July. Read more
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Most of us will remember Mr Costelloe from his short time at DCC.
### channel39.co.nz Wed, 23 Jan 2008 Defective Traffic Light Causing Havoc
A defective traffic light is causing havoc for pedestrians and traffic at the intersection of King Edward St and Hillside Rd. The light’s been stopping and starting periodically since Saturday, with the Dunedin City Council unable to get it working properly again. Council Transport Operations Manager, Mike Costelloe, says many attempts have been made to repair the light, but it crashes again every time. There have been several reports of near misses at the intersection, and an elderly man’s been treated for minor injuries at Dunedin Hospital, after he was knocked over by a vehicle. Costelloe says they haven’t been able to find the source of the problem, making it difficult to find a solution. Read more + Video
█ Channel 39 ran a second news item the following evening, entitled “Defective Traffic Light Still Causing Havoc”…..
Mr. Bean Uploaded on Sep 17, 2009 Mr Bean – Red Traffic Light
OFFICIAL MR BEAN. Mr Bean nips out of his car at the traffic light and holds up a queue of traffic. When the lights change green for second time he holds them up again on purpose. From animated episode No Parking.
Mr. Bean Uploaded on Sep 4, 2009 Mr Bean – Traffic Lights — An der Ampel
OFFICIAL MR BEAN. Mr Bean gets stopped at a red light. He sees a cyclist get off and push his bike round the corner. So he gets out of his car and pushes the mini round the corner. From Mr Bean Goes to Town.
Ilyass AB3 Published on Jan 20, 2013 Mr.bean – Episode 5 FULL EPISODE “The Trouble with Mr.bean”
An INTERNAL appointment has been made for the position of Chief Executive Officer at Delta Utility Services Ltd.
Which likely means few external executives with relevant experience wanted to apply for lead position in the ‘degraded’ council-owned company —but then, not many executives were left internally. What does that say…….
OPINION received from Neil Johnstone
Sat, 10 Sep 2016 at 12:42 a.m.
Richard Stedman produces (below) a succinct review of the causes of, and failures after, the South Dunedin flood of June 2015. His frustrations appear to match those of Hilary Calvert that were published a few hours earlier. My reviews previously published on What if? Dunedin commencing back around February give more detail.
For your readers’ further consideration, Richard has highlighted the ‘200mm increase’ in flood level as a result of Portobello Road pumping station failures. The figure was derived by me, and appears in my review of the first DCC flood report. To my knowledge the only clear comparable DCC concessions have come from chief executive Sue Bidrose who admitted the figure publicly at the 20 June 2016 (yes, 2016) South Dunedin Action Group-organised public meeting, and subsequently.
The first DCC flood report (30 Nov 2015) is adamant that high groundwater was the cause of the flooding, and enough Councillors bought right into that excuse at the following Infrastructure Services Committee meeting. Just go back and view the video, if you’ve forgotten.
Dunedin City Council Published on Dec 7, 2015 Dunedin City Council – Council Meeting – November 30 2015
Discussion of the report starts at 1:09:52
The second (mudtank) DCC report of 26 April this year states: “Although Portobello Road’s performance did explain some of the length of time flooding was evident, much of the flooded area was below road level…” (para 31). No mention of increased depth of flooding there either, you will note.
[View report at Infrastructure Services Committee: Agenda & Reports 26 April (Part A, Item 5) pp 6-27.]
Neither DCC report mentions the additional depth of flooding caused by inaction at the Musselburgh pumping station.
History and ongoing design may rely on written commentaries. For the wellbeing of South Dunedin people, we must therefore continue to counter the misinformation contained in DCC reports, and in the more recent ORC (DCC-backed) South Dunedin “hazards” report. Even if ODT has switched off.
The ODT editorial department is peopled by closed minds, a number of whom subscribe to the climate change/rising sea level mantra and therefore manipulate their content to support their distorted view of the world. Mr Morris is captured by the former/present regime at city hall, a fate which befalls every reporter assigned to that round once they get their feet under the table.
Two weeks ago I prepared an opinion piece re the election and South Dunedin, outlining some of the issues as I see them in the hope that it might be published. I thought it was honestly held opinion, but it was rejected because it added “nothing new” to the debate, yet they run to Cull at every turn and run column after column of repetitive nonsense.
The following is my submission submitted on 24/8 and rejected the same day in this message: “Thanks for this submission, but we have had a “deluge” of flood letters and op eds from all sides so I don’t feel the need to highlight the issue again at the moment – certainly if there’s not anything new in it, as such”.
I have seen little evidence of the cited “deluge”.
The South Dunedin flood of June 2015 may be a tipping point during next month’s local body election. Many voters will look at the burgeoning candidates list for the Dunedin City Council and ask “who will provide the cornerstone elements of responsibility, accountability and integrity?”
Residents and business owners in South Dunedin have been sorely tested in recent times through the failure of the DCC to maintain its infrastructure. Among those adversely affected were elderly residents at Radius Fulton Home, including a number of dementia patients, the most vulnerable in our community, who were subjected to floodwaters containing sewage and transferred from the safety of their home in a crisis beyond acceptance. Some were accommodated as far away as Balclutha and Oamaru and three months passed before the facility was re-opened.
Following the flood, obfuscation clouded the failures that led to the inundation of homes and businesses and the investigation and report into the affair was 12 months in gestation. Officials and councillors, captured by the twin mantras of climate change and rising sea level, avoided any suggestion of culpability to limit the likelihood of litigation, and offered no solace that might have been construed as admission of liability.
The mayor and others were quick to blame rising sea level causing increased groundwater, combined with an “extreme weather event”, the result of climate change, and went so far as suggesting that a planned retreat from South Dunedin may be necessary in the future. The rainfall was described as a one-in-100-year event then gradually downgraded, but none of these pretexts are realistic. Questions arise over who is responsible for what, and how serious are the threats of rising sea level, more frequent adverse weather caused by climate change, and the “sinking of South Dunedin”, not to mention “retreat”.
Dunedin and environs have been subjected to much larger weather events in the past. Flooding of the entire city is well recorded and in particular photographs of the 1923 flood depict rowing in floodwaters in the city as well as inundation in South Dunedin. During a storm in 1898 large tracts of St Clair Esplanade were destroyed by the sea which damaged many houses, leaving some partly suspended. More recently, the storms of 1968 were greater than last year’s, delivering 10% more rainfall. In 1968 there were 90 properties invaded by floodwater, whereas last year some 1200 properties were flooded and many contaminated with effluent. Clearly last year’s event was exceptional only for the damage created and lives disrupted.
At a public meeting in South Dunedin on June 20, more than 12 months after the event, those affected had an opportunity to hear an explanation in the hope that someone might take responsibility for the extent of the damage. Despite a good representation of councillors there was no empathy and no likelihood of accountability. What the meeting heard was a long explanation of how the three-waters system works, or doesn’t work, as the case may be, and of failure at the pumping station from chief executive, Dr Sue Bidrose and other staff. The question is “when did the city’s councillors abdicate?”
South Dunedin June 2015 [radionz.co.nz]
It can be argued that the damage and distress was the result of neglect, but the DCC says problems at the pumping station added only 200mm to the flooding which would have occurred anyway. Which 200mm was it? Maybe the first 200mm flowed across the ground, reached blocked drains then deepened throughout the area, or perhaps the last 200mm increased the depth and entered homes and business premises carrying undesirable flotsam. Without the extra 200mm would the water have stopped at the thresholds rather than flowing inside?
What of the rising sea level threat? Is it as urgent and as devastating as the commissioner for the environment, some DCC councillors and the Green Party say? The Greens proffer that the Government should help to pay for the reconfiguration of South Dunedin. Why? There has been no disaster on the scale of the Canterbury earthquakes and there is no immediate danger condemning South Dunedin, for if sea level were to rise according to some projections, north Dunedin and other areas are also in jeopardy meaning protection on the coast is futile because the flat land would be inundated from the harbour.
Could it be that models of sea level rise around New Zealand are exaggerated and distorted by the multiplier effect have been grossly over stated? And do the $7 million apartment complex at the Esplanade to be completed next year and the DCC’s belated discussion on a South Dunedin hub indicate mixed messages on the subject?
There is no doubt that the infrastructure must be maintained to the highest level and upgrading implemented with haste. The seafront calls for a level-headed approach to protect the sandhills which shelter the city from the ocean. In the past a network of groynes captured the sand, maintaining a broad beach to dissipate the energy of the waves. The network succeeded for nearly 100 years, but without maintenance fell victim to the ocean, so is it time to reinstate a similar system and then plan carefully for the next 100 to 200 years?
Council says that infrastructure will require “tens of millions of dollars” we cannot afford, but plans to spend some $37 million on George Street and the Octagon, followed by development of the harbourside. These “tens of millions” surely must be re-allocated to South Dunedin for infrastructure, to build a second pumping station, and provide realistic coastal protection.
Dunedin needs new councillors who will make hard decisions, reduce spending on fripperies and attend to basics; people who are prepared to drill deep into reports and costings and who are not afraid to make unpalatable decisions when needed rather than govern with slogans and platitudes.
Declaration: Conrad Stedman is my nephew.
—
Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.
### ODT Online Thu, 7 Jul 2016 Flood review clears DCC staff findings
Dunedin City Council staff have been vindicated by peer reviews which backed their findings over the cause of last June’s devastating floods. The reviews, carried out by infrastructure consultancy firm Opus, backed the council’s findings South Dunedin and other parts of the city would have been flooded even if the city’s stormwater system was running at full capacity. Read more
Opus peer reviews of DCC flood reports received (same day) following a LGOIMA request made on 7 July 2016:
A truly independent inquiry into the council’s performance around last year’s South Dunedin floods remains long overdue, writes Dunedin engineer Neil Johnstone.
### ODT Online Thu, 14 Jul 2016 Opinion: Report skims surface of South Dunedin flood saga
By Neil Johnstone
OPINION Readers of the Dunedin City Council-funded independent peer review of its post-flood reporting (ODT, 7.7.16) should be wary. The council’s delight with the review may prove short-lived. In brief, the Opus review:
● Recognises the 1968 rainfall event was bigger than that of June 2015 (contrary to repeated council claims).
● Fails to explore the reasons why the 2015 flood was a disaster, and the 1968 event was not.
● Makes assumptions about groundwater levels without referencing the actual data.
● Appears to consider the council’s assumption of zero ground infiltration has merit (note: the data disproves this).
● Believes mud-tank blockage impacts of the flood were “localised” (too bad if you were a local), but fails to consider the likely widespread impacts on South Dunedin of blocked mud-tanks in the St Clair catchment.
● States council reviews “suggest” its failures at the Portobello Rd pumping station caused an increase in flood levels of about 200mm.
● In fact, the first council review leaves the reader with no more than an opportunity to infer this, while the second council review only states that the failures may have influenced “the length of time flooding was evident”.
● I do not recall the council actually publicly admitting the 200mm figure before the South Dunedin Action Group meeting of June 21.
● Fails to address the flood impacts of the council’s total failure to operate its Musselburgh pumps for stormwater relief.
● Makes general statements to the effect that “primary” flooding would have occurred under any circumstance. South Dunedin residents know that “overwhelming” of stormwater infrastructure was not the concern; the avoidable flooding of our people’s houses and businesses was.
For all of the above reasons, and more, the Opus finding the council report’s conclusions were “robust” is concerning. A truly independent inquiry into the council’s performance pre, during and post-flood, at staff and political levels, is long overdue. ODT Link
*Bullet points indicate comments entered after the public meeting 20 June.
█ For more, enter the terms *flood*, *sea level rise*, *stormwater*, *hazard*, *johnstone*, *opus*, *hendry*, *south dunedin action group*, *debriefing notes* or *listener* in the search box at right.
—
Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.
### radionz.co.nz 8:45 am on 21 June 2016
RNZ News Dunedin council concedes flood worsened by faulty pumping station
By Ian Telfer in South Dunedin
Dunedin City Council has admitted a faulty pumping station made last year’s South Dunedin flood 20cm deeper than it would have otherwise been. The Council made the admission at a rowdy public meeting at the Nations Church last night about the flooding a year ago which damaged 1200 homes and businesses. Chief executive Sue Bidrose […] made a major concession, saying the council now accepted a key pumping station was blocked, adding an extra 20cm of water to the area. […] Shortly after the flooding, Mr Cull linked the event to climate change and warned South Dunedin may have to beat a managed retreat. Local woman Kathinka Nordal Stene said she was shocked Mr Cull undermined the community at the time when it most needed his support. She said the future of South Dunedin had become a major election issue, on which Mr Cull would be judged. Mr Cull was not at the meeting because he was visiting China. […] Leaders of the newly formed South Dunedin Action Group accused the council and its leaders of having a secret plan to abandon the suburb and blame it on climate change. RNZ Link
*Bullet points indicate comments entered after the public meeting 20 June.
█ For more, enter the terms *flood*, *sea level rise*, *stormwater*, *hazard*, *johnstone*, *hendry*, *south dunedin action group*, *debriefing notes* or *listener* in the search box at right.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.
Monday, 20 June 2016 South Dunedin’s Future : It’s in your hands
Public meeting called by South Dunedin Action Group
au Sud Dunedin
Mock turtles on a Monday, and [a moment of meeting remembrance]
mon Dieu! Voix, la sienne! (my God! Voices, hers!) pronouncing la séparation des “poos” et “wees” —wastewater (grey water) from drinking water and stormwater as la raison d’être pour la stratégie de “Three Waters”……..
méfiez-vous ce qui sort du robinet (beware what comes out of the tap!) ou, était que la bouche (or, was that the mouth)
Flood, The People —inondation, inonderait le peuple
but, DON’T use politics against those “responsable” fr.
Channel 39 Published on Jun 22, 2016
### dunedintv.co.nz Thu, 23 June 2016 Candidates using flooding for political gain
A heated public meeting earlier this week brought last year’s South Dunedin floods back to the fore. The discussion around what to do for those still affected is one that members of the Dunedin City Council’s executive say they’re taking seriously. But there’s concern some involved parties are using the situation for political gain.
Malhereusement! Ceci est du jeu de puissance ineptes, d’elle-même
(Sadly! This is inane power play, of itself)
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POST FLOODS
WHY WOULDN’T CANDIDATES CAMPAIGN FOR A BETTER COUNCIL TO SERVE AND REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH DUNEDIN AND ALL CITY RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS
CANDIDATES THAT IF ELECTED CAN KNUCKLE CIVIC CENTRE OPERATIONALS TO RESTORE POSITIVE TEAMWORK AND ENGINEERING EXPERTISE
Huh ?
This is THE time for Dunedin Politics and Examination of Dunedin City Council down to the last foul or stormwater, sewer.
*Bullet points indicate comments entered after the public meeting 20 June.
█ For more, enter the terms *flood*, *sea level rise*, *stormwater*, *hazard*, *johnstone*, *hendry*, *south dunedin action group*, *debriefing notes* or *listener* in the search box at right.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.
ODT health reporter Eileen Goodwin looks at the welfare of those adversely affected and speaks to health authorities about what they are doing to help.
### ODT Online Tue, 27 Oct 2015 It’s been ‘a constant battle’ since flood
By Eileen Goodwin
Months of stress and insurance hassles are taking a heavy toll on some people long after most have moved on from the June flood. […] The flood response lacked co-ordination, and [Aurora Health Centre GP Dr Jill McIlraith] says the likes of the health board and city council should have considered appointing a flood ombudsman or similar position as a central clearance point for three to six months. Read more
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Dr Bidrose said she had also faced a “pretty rough” first year in the role, grappling with the fallout from the Citifleet fraud.
### ODT Online Tue, 27 Oct 2015 Council boss’ UK trips supported
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council has spent $36,000 sending chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose to leadership training courses at England’s prestigious Oxford University. Details of the four trips, which were supported by Mayor Dave Cull, were confirmed by Dr Bidrose last week, in response to Otago Daily Times questions. Read more
### ODT Online Wed, 16 Sep 2015 Final Citifleet fraud report not finished
By Chris Morris
Dunedin police are still working to finalise a report into the $1.5 million Citifleet fraud, despite announcing in June no charges would be laid, it has been confirmed. The development came as it was confirmed an earlier police report into the Dunedin City Council’s long-running fraud was released to media despite internal concerns from senior police it was out of date, emails showed. Read more
● The Department of Internal Affairs was keeping a close eye on the Dunedin City Council’s handling of the Citifleet fraud investigation, documents show. (ODT)
█ For more, enter the terms *citifleet*, *bachop*, *bidrose* or *vandervis* in the search box at right.
█ RE: COUNCIL LIABILITY AND RISK | COST TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND RATEPAYERS —Non-notified v Notified Resource Consents
GUILTY PARTIES:
Mayor and Councillors, Hearings Committee, Chair of Infrastructure Services Committee, Chief Executive, General Manager Infrastructure and Networks, General Manager Services and Development, Group Manager Water and Waste, City Planning, City Development Team, Resource Consents Team et al.
█ Message: Spot the difference – a Maori group gets the SFO while Dunedin Ratepayers get a lowly detective.
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### NZ Herald Online 3:59 PM Monday Sep 7, 2015 Tertiary funding probe: SFO called in as centre agrees to pay back $7.5 million
By Steve Deane
A senior manager is dead and a Serious Fraud Office investigation has been launched following a probe into an agricultural college that uncovered millions of dollars of unjustified taxpayer funding.
The results of a Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) investigation into funding irregularities at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre were released this afternoon following investigations by the Herald.
Taratahi’s former chief executive, Dr Donovan Wearing, died suddenly in January – three months after the TEC confirmed it was undertaking a ‘targeted review’ of the organisation.
The Herald has been told Dr Wearing addressed staff at the sprawling campus just outside Masterton about the investigation on January 21. The 52-year-old father of six was later found in a critical condition in a shed on campus grounds. He was taken to Wellington Hospital where he died at 10.30pm.
Dr Wearing’s death has been referred to the coroner. Read more
█ For more, enter the terms *citifleet*, *deloitte*, *vandervis*, *detectives* and *bidrose* in the search box at right.
Once upon a time, Rugby louts and owners of industrially-zoned land at Dunedin decided they deserved a new Rugby stadium and some personal spending CASH! (ie ratepayer money)
It wasn’t long before DCC was vigorously lobbied from within and without by slimy fatcats, to build a Hopeless Stadium.
The evil plan was to saddle ratepayers with outlandish debt for decades and decades.
It also transpired that the Chin Council thought only slightly about lines in the sand but agreed ‘it’s perfectly alright to rob the poor to support the well-off’ —the practice continues to this very day, Mayor Cull’s merry band of dimwits subsidise DVML and have recently transferred $30m of Hopeless Stadium debt back onto the DCC books.
Going back a treacle-filled step or two… the spendthrift Carisbrook Stadium Charitable Trust (CST), headed by Malcolm Farry, became agent to the Council via a Service Level Agreement (SLA), to see in the Hopeless Stadium construction project and associated fundraising.
[Aside, like it didn’t matter: Farry in his construction safety hat and dayglo vest failed miserably at raising public donations for the Hopeless Stadium.]
Long short… regular as well as ‘other’ payments were made by DCC to CST and co-greedy sods without much corroborating paperwork.
Despite non-accountability and lack of transparency, and the odd crucial missing document, there’s a stash of CST files kept “in storage” somewhere – files to drive a bulldozer through, lawfully the property of the Council, paid for by ratepayers.
Turns out two of DCC’s most senior executives, with Malcolm Farry, appear to have no interest whatsoever in surrendering the files for independent forensic audit. They’ll only retrieve file boxes in batches, while pedalling strongly backwards.
The files are not sealed, seized or safe. Where are they? DCC will not say. Farry won’t say. Fairytales are being told.
The files were long ago officially requested through the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) by Dunedin resident Bev Butler. They’re also subject to the Public Records Act.
The Ombudsmen’s Office is involved, due to deliberate lack of co-operation shown by CST and DCC to supply copy of the original files to Ms Butler in a timely manner.
Have the files been thrown into plastic shopping bags, shredded or dumped? We simply don’t know.
CST and DCC are equally culpable, they’re both prepared to lie and defer – What if? can only imagine the files might be as tidy as this.
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
$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)
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### 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]
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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.
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
Received from Lee Vandervis
Sun, 15 Feb 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
—— Forwarded Message From: Lee Vandervis Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2015 19:07:29 +1300 To: Chris Morris [ODT], Debbie Porteous [ODT], EditorODT, Nick Smith [ODT] Conversation: CEO Bidrose confirms no Vandervis complaint with a hug. Subject: CEO Bidrose confirms no Vandervis complaint with a hug.
Dear Chris and Co,
CEO Bidrose has this weekend confirmed in public, with a hug, that she has not made any complaint of me, that she was out of town when she received my latest email alerting her to a legal issue in the non-public section of the Council meeting underway when we spoke in the hallway, and that her secretary had not read through the email to the legal issue and alerted her prior to the meeting in which Mayor Cull attempted to push the issue through.
The legal issue related to Mayor Cull’s false claim that he was personally empowered to select the membership of the Code of Conduct Committee [against me], when this power is clearly that of the whole Council as detailed in Standing Orders J4.1 and in the Committee Structure and Delegations Manual.
This came on top of Mayor Cull’s falsely claiming statements supposedly made by me at the 3/11/14 Council meeting, and his then immediately demanding that I withdraw these statements which I did not make. Mayor Cull then used my refusal to withdraw the statements as a pretext to eject me from the meeting, all of which the video proves. This was the essence of my Code of Conduct Complaint against Mayor Cull of 10/12/14. Two subsequent Code of Conduct Complaints against me by Greater Dunedin Chairpersons do not mention any swearing or expletives and seem to be personal ‘tone’ attacks to deflect from on-going Mayoral abuses of his position and the Mayor’s attempts to silence my concerns.
Kind regards,
Cr. Lee Vandervis
PS Chris – You are back to recorded medium only comment from me. You have again invented news rather than honestly reporting it.
—— End of Forwarded Message
“However, I can certainly confirm that it is not the practice of staff to pre-empt any decision-making by the council.” –Ruth Stokes, General Manager Infrastructure and Networks
### ODT Online Wed, 11 Feb 2015 Apology over council staff gaffe
By Vaughan Elder
A Dunedin City Council senior manager has apologised to councillors over a staff member appearing to pre-empt a council decision on cycleway funding. Concern over the actions of staff came up at yesterday’s infrastructure services committee, where councillors voted on the allocation of $570,000 in new Government money to spend on the South Dunedin cycle network. […] In the council press release, senior transportation planner Kylie Huard said the Government funding “will be used” to enhance and expand the South Dunedin cycle network, including providing a link between Shore St and Victoria Rd, via Tainui and Cavell Sts. Read more
ODT (11.2.15) Board to pay for road closures
In the article Mick Reece is described as the “council parks, recreation and aquatic services group manager”. Group Manager.
█ Isn’t it time the Dunedin public received an up-to-date Dunedin City Council organisation chart showing reporting lines. To know exactly where those 40+ managers / team leaders (of a total council staff of about 700) are situated, at considerable cost to the ratepayers.
Message to DCC chief executive Sue Bidrose: “Time for fine detail.” And, “Due diligence to Democratic principles, to be learned by Staff.”
Received from Lee Vandervis
Fri, 6 Feb 2015 at 9:04 p.m.
Message: Since the ODT did not print my apology, but just chose to interpret bits of it, the apology as below may be of interest.
—— Forwarded Message From: Lee Vandervis Date: Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:22:32 +1300 To: Sue Bidrose, Sandy Graham, Andrew Noone, Andrew Whiley, Chris Staynes, Doug Hall, Hilary Calvert, John Bezett, Jinty MacTavish, Kate Wilson, Lee Vandervis, Mayor Cull, Mike Lord, Neville Peat, Richartd Thomson, David Benson-Pope, Aaron Hawkins Cc: Chris Morris [ODT], Debbie Porteous [ODT] Conversation: Apology for hallway loudness Subject: Apology for hallway loudness
Dear Sue, Sandy and Councillors.
If it was thought that my Council hallway questioning of CEO Bidrose yesterday was considered to be too loud or inappropriate, I unreservedly apologize to those who thought so, especially if that included Dr. Bidrose.
I recognise today that I had become increasingly frustrated with the lack of CEO response to my earlier emailed governance complaints, and that an unacceptable Council agenda item was imminent as a result.
Happily some time was subsequently allowed for possible resolution of the Governance issues I complained of.
To prevent a recurrence of overheard unpleasantness, I undertake to make any future complaints of staff or elected representatives in a recorded medium.
Kind regards,
Cr. Lee Vandervis
—— End of Forwarded Message
Channel 39 imagines that the city council’s finances have been “put in order” – proof the station isn’t investigative or breathing oxygen.
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### dunedintv.co.nz December 24, 2013 – 2:05pm Sue Bidrose
The Dunedin City Council had some turnover at the top late this year, after chief executive Paul Orders announced he was moving back to Wales after a two year stint. Orders’ time at the top was widely acknowledged as a period in which the council’s finances were put in order. The search to replace him resulted in a promotion from within.
Sue Bidrose took on the role in charge of more than 600 staff who run everything from rubbish collection to civil defence to economic development.
She came into the studio for a chat with chief reporter David Loughrey on subjects from motorbikes to stadiums to public service. Video
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
*Image: dunedintv.co.nz – Sue Bidrose, screenshot (re-imaged by whatifdunedin)
The choice of an in-house candidate with some spendthrift tendencies —none other than Sue Bidrose, aka Rosebud.
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Dunedin City Council – Media Release
New DCC Chief Executive Announced
This item was published on 18 Nov 2013.
Dunedin City Council senior manager Sue Bidrose is the DCC’s new Chief Executive. Bidrose, currently DCC General Manager Services and Development, will take up the position on Saturday, 23 November. Announcing the appointment today, Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says the Council made a clear decision in favour of Bidrose, from a strong field of 31 applicants, including overseas applicants.
“[Ms] Bidrose has been performing at a very high level for the three years she has been with the DCC. She continues the tradition of a Chief Executive with a highly developed sense of the responsibilities of public service. I am very confident she is not only extremely competent, but is of the utmost integrity.”
As a member of the DCC’s senior executive team Bidrose helped drive far-reaching changes in the past three years to limit debt and reduce staff and spending, while not reducing levels of service to the community. “It was important for us that the changes put in place by the current Chief Executive were seamlessly progressed and Sue is in the ideal position to do that,” Cull says. Bidrose, who is the DCC’s first female chief executive, says she is delighted to have been selected for the role.
“I am very much looking forward to the challenges of the Chief Executive’s position. I am committed to this organisation and to continuing to have a successful working relationship with elected representatives, staff and the community.”
Bidrose replaces Paul Orders who leaves on Saturday to take up the post of Chief Executive of Cardiff Council in Wales. Bidrose started with the DCC in November 2010 as General Manager Strategy and Development. She came from the Waitakere City Council where she had spent five years in a range of leadership positions, including Director: Community Wellbeing. Bidrose’s previous experience includes senior policy and managerial roles with the Ministry of Social Development. Trusteeships, directorships and board positions held by Bidrose include her current role as Director of Workwise, an agency which assists people with mental illness into work. Bidrose has a PhD in psychology from the University of Otago.
Bidrose’s base annual salary is $325,000. If Kiwisaver contributions are made, total remuneration would be $334,750.
—– Original Message —– From: Jeff Dickie To: Elizabeth Kerr Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 1:24 PM Subject: Fw: Paul Orders thank you for trying
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—– Forwarded Message —– From: Jeff Dickie To: editor@odt.co.nz Sent: Tuesday, 5 November 2013 6:55 PM Subject: Paul Orders thank you for trying
I for one, feel very sad at the impending departure of CEO Paul Orders. His policy of openness and being willing to meet citizens has been in marked contrast to the Bejing style of the Chin/Harland Dynasty. Added to this is the impending day of reckoning for Dunedin’s debt crisis, which worryingly our current mayor seems to think he’s sorted! It would have been helpful to have had someone of Orders’ calibre at the top in city hall.
I have met with Mr Orders on more than one occasion and have had ongoing communications regarding DCC spending, with particular regard to the logic of council owning investment property, and to providing ratepayers with an honest assessment of stadium costs. Partly as a result of these communications, an extra $42 M has been identified, with the official total now a massive $266 M and rising. Also the bogus $66 per annum based figure has now been removed from our rates bills. That was nothing short of dishonest misrepresentation and the DCC could be sued for this.
The latest official tally makes a nonsense of the DCC funded audit that had $224 M as the stadium cost. The audit was a complete waste of further ratepayers’ money. During this period Mr Orders had used his best endeavours to come up with an honest assessment. It is quite apparent to me his voice has been almost alone in council. It is hard to know whether the lack of transparency is deliberate or just incompetence!
Like many others, I wish to thank Paul Orders for his efforts in attempting to reform a feral rogue council that has continued to embrace numerous expensive and foolish projects. I am sure when he applied for the CEO’s position, he had no idea of the mess he would face in Dunedin. It was a “tall order”, trying to run a city with a group that would struggle to run a hotdog stand in the Octagon! The talent has been pretty thin around the DCC table and we can’t blame him for leaving. The recent election results confirms the adage, “voters get the politicians they deserve”. Thank you for trying Mr Orders.
Cr John Bezett contacted ODT yesterday concerned the recruitment process was being rushed.
### ODT Online Sat, 9 Nov 2013 Picking council CEO gets tense
By Chris Morris
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull faces a fresh political scrap with some of his councillors over the search for the Dunedin City Council’s next chief executive. The political sniping began after Mr Cull told the Otago Daily Times on Thursday he expected a replacement for outgoing chief executive Paul Orders to be confirmed by November 21 “at the very latest”. Read more
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CORRESPONDENCE
Four forwarded messages – individual email addresses removed. -Eds
I
—— Forwarded Message From: Lee Vandervis Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:55:45 +1300 To: Chris Morris [ODT] Cc: Mayor Dave Cull, Kate Wilson, Richard Thomson, Chris Staynes, John Bezett, Lee Vandervis, Hilary Calvert, Doug Hall, Andrew Whiley, Aaron Hawkins, Mike Lord, David Benson-Pope, Neville Peat, Andrew Noone, Jinty MacTavish Conversation: Paul Orders appointment process Subject: Re: Paul Orders appointment process
Hi Chris,
I share Councillor Bezett’s concerns and have emailed staff to find out what has happened. [See forwarded email that follows]
The shortest-ever DCC CEO search process which ran with its first ad on 28th September but with applications closing two weeks later on 11th of October remains a great concern, suggesting predetermination and effectively preventing input into the CEO job description and search process by the 7 new Council members.
Today’s further rush in letting CEO Orders go before his 3 month contractual let-out seems to be another example of Mayoral decisions fast-tracking the CEO search process, and failing to get the most from CEO Orders before he goes.
I believe that all of these decisions should be all of Council decisions, as the appointment of a CEO is the supremely important and only staff appointment that Councillors are supposed to make.
Cheers,
Lee
—
On 8/11/13 2:06 PM, “Chris Morris” [ODT] wrote:
Hi Lee,
John Bezett rang me today to express concern at the Mayor’s comments (reported in today’s paper) on the recruitment process to replace Paul Orders. Cull said he hoped for an announcement by the 21st “at the very latest”. Bezett says that’s rushing it, it’s impracticable, unseemly, etc and he doubts the recruitment process can be concluded by then. He won’t comment on what he thinks is behind the apparent rush, though.
You’ve obviously already made your views clear on this, but I’m seeking comment from all councillors on whether they share those concerns or not – feel free to comment today…
Dunedin City Council – Media Release
DCC CEO Recommended for Cardiff Post
This item was published on 24 Sep 2013.
Dunedin City Council Chief Executive Paul Orders has been recommended for the position of Chief Executive of Cardiff Council in Wales.
Cardiff Council’s Appointments Committee has recommended that Mr Orders should be appointed to the role. The appointment is subject to formal approval by the full Cardiff Council on 26 September.
Mr Orders has advised the Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull and Dunedin City Councillors of the position. He will be advising staff today.
Mr Orders came to the DCC in September 2011 from the role of Cardiff Council Corporate Director and this appointment would see him return to his home city of Cardiff. Mr Orders says he has enjoyed his time at the DCC and the challenges presented. The role at Cardiff is one of the few positions that could attract him and his family away from Dunedin.
“My time working for the Dunedin City Council has been stimulating and enjoyable, personally and professionally.”
At yesterday’s meeting, the Dunedin City Council discussed in-committee the process and timeframe for appointing a new chief executive. It is expected Mr Orders would remain in his current post until late this year. There will be no further comment on this issue until the Cardiff Council has formally approved the appointment.
Contact Manager, Council Communications and Marketing on 477 4000. DCC Link
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### ODT Online Tue, 24 Sep 2013 Orders set to quit council
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council has been dealt a body blow with confirmation chief executive Paul Orders is poised to head back to Wales. Mr Orders will this morning be named in Wales as the recommended candidate to take the chief executive’s position at Cardiff Council. The new role would see Mr Orders returning to the organisation he left in 2011, when he came to Dunedin, and assuming responsibility for workforce of 18,000 and an annual budget of nearly $2 billion. Mr Orders is yet to officially tender his resignation in Dunedin but he was the unanimous choice of Cardiff Council’s appointment committee. Read more
*Images: (top) Paul Orders (re-imaged by Whatifdunedin), walesonline.co.uk – Cardiff in 2013, theguardian.com – Cardiff Millennium Centre, urbantravelblog.com – Cardiff Millennium Centre by Graham Well
IS IT EVEN A QUESTION . . . ### ODT Online Sat, 25 May 2013 Council chief declines 10% pay increase
By Chris Morris
Dunedin City Council chief executive Paul Orders has turned down a $35,000-a-year pay rise, saying the increase cannot be justified when the organisation is in savings mode. The decision came after the council’s performance appraisal committee – headed by Mayor Dave Cull – concluded Mr Orders’ $350,000-a-year salary was 10% below that of others in his role. Read more
Paul Orders being suggested as replacement for outgoing CEO of Cardiff City Council:
### walesonline.co.uk 24 May 2013 11:56
Business Jon House on his new role with PwC, city regions and his relationship with Russell Goodway
By Sion Barry
In his first in-depth interview since announcing his decision to stand down as chief executive of Cardiff council, Jon House talks to Sion Barry on his reasons for joining PwC, his relationship with Russell Goodway and his views on how city regions should evolve.
Jon House looks particularly relaxed in the pleasant private sector surroundings at the headquarters of business advisory firm PwC at the No 1 Kingsway office block in the centre of Cardiff. Last week he confirmed he will quit his role as chief executive of Cardiff council this summer after three years at the helm. The truth is that he would have announced his decision earlier, if it wasn’t for the recent leadership challenges in the administration’s ruling Labour Party – which he described anyway as being a healthy part of democracy.
The search is now on to find a replacement for Mr House.
Former corporate director for Cardiff council, Paul Order[sic], who two years ago was appointed chief executive of Dunedin City Council in New Zealand, is being suggested a potential candidate.
Mr House said: “I think there will be a number of people interested as it is the best job in Wales.” Read more
The Otago Daily Times (1.11.12) states:
“Dunedin city councillors are pointing fingers after some were blindsided by a $3.2 million loss by the company running Forsyth Barr Stadium. Some councillors spoken to by the Otago Daily Times yesterday admitted they were unaware they had accepted reports detailing the loss at Monday’s council meeting. Other councillors were aware of the reports, but were still yet to read them properly.” ODT Link
Blissfully unaware, or deliberately avoiding and shielding knowledge of the fact, thereby keeping the public and media at arm’s length from the true state of council finances relating to the stadium project?
That is a question for all elected representatives at Dunedin City Council, the council’s chief executive, the executive management team (EMT), and the governance manager.
Sadly, the annual reports don’t tell the full story of the ‘stadium effect’ – that is, the figures that Dunedin renters and ratepayers will be facing, and unable to pay, when the whole system is called to ‘correct’.
Fire away, Dunedin public.
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It’s as if the newspaper editor has suffered a blunt contusion. Sees the problem then runs away to John Wilson Ocean Drive (closed from August 2006), and ends weakly, out of steam, with the hope that those in power “will turn their full attention to making our new stadium a profitable investment of which the city can be proud”, and would they please read the annual report[s].
### ODT Online Sat, 3 Nov 2012 Editorial: Council must keep eye on the ball
Just as it seemed the Dunedin City Council was determined to focus on a different attitude towards debt, revelations that a worse-than-expected $3.2 million loss by the company running the Forsyth Barr Stadium was not even discussed at this week’s full council meeting have put it back in the firing line and raised questions about its priorities. The loss – nearly $1 million greater than forecast – was recorded in Dunedin Venues Management Ltd’s (DVML) 2011-12 annual report, which was released a day later to this newspaper. But it had flown under the radar at the council meeting, with no mention of the reports on DVML or Dunedin Venues Ltd (DVL), which owns the stadium, on the meeting’s public agenda, and no indication those reports had been circulated publicly and to media – as required under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act – ahead of the meeting. The reasons for that are unclear and convoluted. Read more
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From our Northland cuzzies, some clues for rabbit hunting…
Image: NZ Herald
### New Zealand Herald 5:30 AM Saturday Nov 3, 2012 Inside Kaipara’s ratepayers revolt
By Andrew Laxon
Many residents of a small coastal town are refusing to pay for a $58 million debt that has crippled their local council and left them with the bill.
The Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Association chairman Bruce Rogan has at least 500 local residents refusing to pay an estimated $1 million in rates this year because the Kaipara District Council secretly ran up an unsustainable $58 million debt building a sewerage treatment scheme for about 2000 people who own homes here. Read more
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Dare we say, Dunedin, the amount currently owed by each city ratepayer well exceeds that owed by the good ratepayers of Mangawhai, on the Kaipara.
So, what now?
Bev Butler notes:
The recruitment agency [Select Recruitment] was paid $40,500 to recruit Darren Burden compared with the $30,000 paid to Sheffield for the recruitment of David Davies. This is a 35% increase.
Also, Sir John Hansen, had no grounds to refuse the release of this information. I would have expected a higher standard of transparency from a former judge.
From: bevkiwi@hotmail.com To: darren.burden@dunedinvenues.co.nz; sgraham@dcc.govt.nz CC: porders@dcc.govt.nz Subject: LGOIMA request: Breakdown of recruitment costs of CEO of DVML Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 09:20:00 +1300
68 Russell St
Dunedin Central
Thursday 3rd October 2012
Dear Darren and Sandy
I request a copy of the breakdown of the costs for the recruitment of the new CEO of DVML.
I note that Sir John Hansen, Chair of DVML, refused to supply this information to the media.
However, the breakdown of recruitment costs for the former CEO of DVML, David Davies, was released after I made a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman. Therefore, there are no grounds for the refusal of this request. I also expect that a response to this request should not take 20 working days as is the normal requirement under LGOIMA because this request had no grounds for refusal in the first place.
I expect an early reply.
Yours sincerely
Bev Butler
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From: jo.scully@dunedinvenues.co.nz To: bevkiwi@hotmail.com Subject: LGOIMA – breakdown of recruitment costs Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:01:25 +0000
Dear Bev
Please see attached response sent on behalf of Darren Burden,
Yesterday, following a request from a member of the public, the company released a breakdown.
### ODT Online Fri, 19 Oct 2012 Firm got $40,000 to replace Davies
By Chris Morris
The recruitment company searching for David Davies’ replacement at Dunedin Venues Management Ltd was paid $40,500 for its work, new figures confirm. The fee to Select Recruitment, of Dunedin, represented the bulk of the $51,307.45 bill for the recruitment drive paid for by DVML. The search concluded with last month’s appointment of DVML operations director Darren Burden as chief executive, but only after 109 candidates – 90 of them from outside New Zealand – were sifted through. Read more
![The Star 23.6.16 Tense moments at South D meeting p9 [water insert]](https://dunedinstadium.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/the-star-23-6-16-tense-moments-at-south-d-meeting-p9-water-insert1.jpg)
![Sue Bidrose 3 [dunedintv.co.nz] whatifdunedin](https://dunedinstadium.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/sue-bidrose-3-dunedintv-co-nz-whatifdunedin.jpg)
![Sue Bidrose [amps.co.nz] 1](https://dunedinstadium.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/sue-bidrose-amps-co-nz-11.jpg)
![Cardiff in 2013 [walesonline.co.uk]](https://dunedinstadium.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/cardiff-in-2013-walesonline-co-uk.jpg)
![Cardiff [theguardian.com]](https://dunedinstadium.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/cardiff-theguardian-com.jpg)
![Cardiff - Grahamwell [urbantravelblog.com]](https://dunedinstadium.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/cardiff-grahamwell-urbantravelblog-com.jpg)
What if? Dunedin... 