DCHL/Aurora/Delta ‘PR fashion statements’ fb DCC rates increases

Otago Daily Times Published on Dec 11, 2016
Aurora Energy to implement review’s recommendations
A report on beleaguered Dunedin City Council-owned companies Delta and Aurora has called for a major shake-up to the way the companies are run.
[—Aurora had been guilty of placing too much emphasis on providing dividends to the council and keeping debt levels under control as opposed to investing in the network.]

█ Deloitte review report – Aurora Energy and Delta Utilities (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Review of Aurora Energy Limited/Delta Utility Services Limited – Network Safety Concerns.

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What Shocks.

If the Otago Community has a BILLION OR SO DOLLARS WORTH of network replacements owed to it, but for the pleasure the Community must pay these sums Again —as well as having to meet the not insubstantial cost of new build facilities across the growth-focused districts of Central Otago— with the self-congratulatory psychology of the Companies and INDIVIDUALS running the Dangerous and Degraded Aurora/Delta power network, stringing along the bumbling Dunedin City Council as OVERLORD (meanwhile running its ‘static’ city)…….. exactly how does that affect DUNEDIN RATEPAYERS, do you think. [DCC steered by “SpongeBob” running the holding company; the mayor inane factotum to the GOBs.]

So yeah, if there’s no word yet (?) on how the INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE for constant rates increases (exceeding New Zealand’s rate of inflation) will be cleaned out financially themselves (along with their private trusts), with jail sentences to serve…….. Then you stand to be OUTRAGED by anything these knaves are saying.

We can’t call them liars.

But think about what these immoral money stealing mongrel-individuals are costing us. You are being robbed, mercilessly, repeatedly, over and over. Public funds through your rates have gone out both front and back doors in almost limitless fashion. The male mafia have been in your pockets doing what they like —across nefarious deals and rorts for “the past 25 to 30 years”.

You have been fully violated, the power network you rely on is completely stuffed. ‘They mongrels’ are not simply incompetent.

Personally, you bear the price; your extended family and descendants pay the price. ‘They mongrels’ each buy an expensive house or three in Queenstown Lakes, they live off the spoils, in style —while you and yours, your businesses and community run desperately out of hope for better times. Clearly, the Bad are being replaced by more of the Bad with unedifying track records.
Same, same again.

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Otago Daily Times Published on Dec 12, 2016
Delta whistleblower Richard Healey
Mayor Dave Cull said the whistleblower, Richard Healey, had been largely vindicated. The poles network was not as safe as it should be.

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Newly-appointed chairman Steve Thompson [ex Deloitte head] said chief executive Grady Cameron would not be sacked as a result of the failings identified in the report, as he had confidence in his leadership. “I think he’s done a good job in difficult circumstances.”

### ODT Online Tue, 13 Dec 2016
Shake-up agreed for Delta, Aurora
By Vaughan Elder
Dunedin City Council-owned companies Delta and Aurora are in for a major shake-up. The planned changes come as a result of recommendations included in a review by consultant Deloitte into Delta/Aurora network safety concerns, and in particular accusations Aurora dangerously mismanaged its electricity network and left thousands of poles to rot. The shake-up would involve having separate boards and chief executives for the two companies and introduce a more proactive approach to maintaining the network. After the review, commissioned by Dunedin City Holdings Ltd, was released yesterday, Mayor Dave Cull said the changes could have a significant financial impact on the council, resulting in rates increases.

“I don’t believe it’s unsafe, but we just need to do more work on getting the infrastructure to a better level than it currently is.” –Steve Thompson

Mr Healey said he was satisfied for the most part with the report, but not with the response from Mr Cull, DCHL chairman Graham Crombie and Mr Thompson, who he said were all still trying to minimise the extent of the problem …. Mr Thompson’s claim the network was safe and his continued confidence in Mr Cameron were “mind-boggling”, Mr Healey said.
Read more

Brief me, Paula.

—Without a Safe and Secure power supply for Otago, new Business Development, Tourism and Productivity are severely impacted, Prime Minister.

Who is responsible?
—Dunedin City Council, sir.

Agh, that lag Cull.
—He hasn’t mentioned climate change this time, sir.

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

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Images: stuff.co.nz – Richard Healey | Bill English PM

Deloitte report released #Delta #Aurora

Updated post
Mon, 12 Dec 2016 at 11:56 p.m.

█ aurora-report [supplied by DCC]

Deloitte’s Steve Thompson – appointed to the Delta and Aurora Boards in 2015 – is to head two (new) separated (“armslength”) companies.

Grady’s future is between the lines.

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Monstrous understatement from our Mayor Cull:
“The poles network was not as safe as it should be.” ….LOL

Dear god, there appear to be a few capital raising issues to curtail the service delivery promised. Further, Dunedin City Council will receive the wrath of two other councils…. Let’s not be naive about the extent of problems with the DANGEROUS NETWORK. This is not a POLES ONLY exercise. And where, oops, have we seen Steve Thompson before, Deloitte and Otago Rugby governance. South Auckland pokie bars, ORFU, anyone ?

An inquiry into thousands of failing power poles has recommended major changes to the lines companies involved. Thousands of rotting power poles are due for replacement in Otago. (RNZ)

### radionz.co.nz 38 minutes ago
Rotting power pole whistleblower vindicated
By Ian Telfer, Otago-Southland Reporter
The Dunedin City Council-commissioned inquiry was one of three started in October after a whistleblower revealed almost 3000 power poles in Dunedin and Central Otago, managed by Aurora Energy and Delta, needed urgent replacement. Councillors debated Deloitte’s report, which covered the scale of the problem and management, for more than two hours. The report recommended health and safety upgrades and for Delta and Aurora’s board and management to split. Mayor Dave Cull said the whistleblower, Richard Healey, had been largely vindicated. Mr Healey accused the management of not understanding the scale of the problem and of not seeing just how dangerous it was. Deloitte found serious systematic problems in the network.
Read more

[Audio] Inquiry into failing power poles recommends big changes  (3′01″)
RNZ Checkpoint (12 Dec 2016)

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

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Deloitte report pending —Public Notice at ODT | Facebook entry

ODT 9.12.16 (page 20)

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█ Facebook: Richard Healey

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Wed, 7 Dec 2016
ODT: Delta, Aurora report for release by Monday
A report on under-fire Dunedin City Council-owned companies Delta and Aurora is expected to be made public by Monday. Mayor Dave Cull said he hoped the report could be released before that day, following a non-public council discussion on the issue that lasted well over an hour yesterday. Dunedin City Holdings Ltd director Keith Cooper faced a grilling from councillors when he gave them a “progress report” on an investigation by consultant Deloitte into the companies. Cont/

Sat, 3 Dec 2016
ODT: Report discussion behind closed doors
Discussion of a Deloitte report on troubled council-owned companies Aurora and Delta on Tuesday will be behind closed doors, and it is uncertain when they will make it into the public arena. Mayor Dave Cull said the report was not finished yet, despite predictions of an early December completion date. It will be discussed by the Dunedin City Council on Tuesday in a non-public session. Mr Cull said the Dunedin City Holdings Ltd board got a progress report on the investigation yesterday. The board would pass on that report at the council meeting on Tuesday. The agenda for the meeting noted discussion of the report would be in a non-public section of the meeting as “the withholding of the information is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably  to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information”. As well, the withholding of the information was necessary to enable the council to “carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities”. Cont/

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Delta/Aurora : Nobody’s willing to call it after misrepresentations

### ODT Online Wed, 7 Dec 2016
Delta, Aurora report for release by Monday
By David Loughrey
A report on under-fire Dunedin City Council-owned companies Delta and Aurora is expected to be made public by Monday.
Mayor Dave Cull said he hoped the report could be released before that day, following a non-public council discussion on the issue that lasted well over an hour yesterday. Dunedin City Holdings Ltd director Keith Cooper faced a grilling from councillors when he gave them a “progress report” on an investigation by consultant Deloitte into the companies.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Delta/Aurora : The Dirty Twist —EXTREME Misrepresentation by Delta, E tū union & staff reps

Received from Richard Healey
Friday, 2 December 2016 11:36 p.m.

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Lies, damned lies and Delta

Today a media statement, produced by Delta senior management, representative staff and the E tū union representative, was released. It is important to stress at this point that I’ve been told that the vote to release was supported by a minority of the Delta workers present. I’m told that 15 hands went up in favour out of the hundred people present.

The decision to release was made by the E tū union organiser present. Are your alarm bells ringing yet? Mine are.

Here’s the bit most people will miss:

Delta senior management, representative staff and the E tū union representative have agreed a joint statement that reflects the belief of all concerned,

You will notice that it does not say that the meeting authorised the release – yet it claims that it reflects the belief of “all concerned”. I’ve had plenty of phone calls from “all concerned” and they have stated categorically that it does not reflect their beliefs, read on…..

Here’s the release:

2 December 2016

Media Release

Joint statement following meeting of Delta management, staff and E tū union

Yesterday, meetings were held with representatives of staff, senior management of Delta, and E tū, the union. Similar discussions are planned involving Central Otago-based staff.

Discussions were held concerning the condition of the Aurora Energy electricity network and how risks are being managed for staff, contractors and the public. All parties are in agreement that it is in everyone’s interests that we work together productively as Delta carries out a significant uplift in capital and maintenance work across the Aurora Energy networks in Dunedin and Central Otago.

Delta senior management, representative staff and the E tū union representative have agreed a joint statement that reflects the belief of all concerned, they commented:

“Firstly, that the Aurora Energy network needs significant asset renewal work and that the age and condition of existing assets presents a higher level of risk than would be preferred.

RJH: That statement sounds suspiciously like an admission that there is a REAL PROBLEM – not merely a problem of perception, as Grady Cameron has consistently maintained. Let us hear that admission from Grady himself, not from a union organiser masquerading as a PR consultant doing the softened story routine. Come on Grady…we are all waiting….

None of us can now change past decisions made over decades about maintenance and investment in the network.

RJH: Man up Grady. My view is simple, it is not credible for you to say that “None of us can now change past decisions made over decades” when you are the person who, for almost all of the last decade, has been key in making those frankly appalling decisions. I’m sure that it would be great for you to be able to brush your past actions under the carpet. Wake up mate, it’s not happening.

We can change the way we manage assets and have already started doing that, however it will take time to address all the issues. Staff and management are committed to working closely together to complete the upgrades with a high level of safety caution and with public safety foremost in our minds.

RJH: Really? You’ve started doing that? Let’s review how that program is going. Your program director just quit, your General Manager asset management just quit, I see an ad today for a new manager of strategic planning, hmmm…. Poles replaced by the “accelerated” program to date? Zero, zip, nada – and counting.

“Secondly, that the health and safety of Delta staff and the public who live around the Aurora network is the primary responsibility of the company, DCHL and the DCC who ultimately own the network.”

RJH: Ah ha, the people who received a detailed report on this problem in 2010, a report that listed harm to staff and the public as potential outcomes of doing nothing, yeah, I feel [there] is a credibility problem here, how about you??

“Thirdly, we would like the public to know that Delta workers are doing their best to continue security of electricity supply and public safety. There may be more periods of planned power outages as we undertake the network upgrades and ask the public to work patiently with us.

RJH: finally, something we can agree on.

“Fourthly, that members of Delta’s technical staff who have hands-on knowledge of reported faults and risks will be engaged in how the company describes events publicly to the extent that is reasonably possible given media constraints and in the knowledge that detailed investigations often take time.”

RJH: Wow, that’s a hard hitter, we will talk to staff, but you know how it is with media deadlines. And those reports can take sooooo looooong to write. I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone has forgotten about the problem by the time we get around to reporting on it… in an email… to ourselves.

“Finally, Aurora Energy, and Delta staff, have agreed to work closely together on an enhanced public safety advertising campaign which will start in the near future. This will be about further informing the community about safety around electrical installations, particular hazards that we are working to resolve and general education about safety around the network.”

RJH: What? You’re going to tell people that high voltage lines on the ground really are a danger? Three cheers!!

For media enquiries, please contact:

● Mike Kirwood, Organiser, E tū, 027 591 0038

● Matt Ballard, General Manager Capability and Risk, Delta, 027 703 7044.

Here’s my view.

The majority who did NOT vote to release this statement have not been heard. Their voices are apparently worth nothing. Their voices are, in real terms, valued by Delta as much as their lives. And I think that is not a whole lot.

I believe that the management whom the minority of their colleagues are prepared to ‘work with’ have, for years, knowingly sent these guys to work on an unsafe network with no intent to make it safe…in fact their inaction made it less safe, day by day, year by year.

They have instructed these workers to not apply do not climb tags.

They have manipulated data, the Xivic debacle, on unsafe structures with the effect that the true number of unsafe structures was hidden.

They have failed to investigate asset failures appropriately and often not at all.

They have consistently denied their own workforce access to the information it needs to make decisions which truly are the difference between life and death, for workers and the unwitting public alike.

These same managers were simultaneously accepting awards for exceptional management performance!

Roger Steel must be spinning in his grave.

Shame on you all.

Finally, a word from Delta’s glorious leader at, believe it or not, zeroharm.org.nz on October 19th this year!!

ZeroHarm [click to enlarge]

Source: FB post

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Oi Grady— “It’s Us, Delta’s Electrical Workforce, unanimously!”

wild ride [cheatsheet.com]

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Received from Richard Healey
Thu, 1 Dec 2016 at 10:15 a.m.

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/deltas-explanations-farcical-staff-believe

After a month of silence, the operational staff at Delta have finally spoken out. Despite massive pressure to remain silent they have come clean on their concerns. More than a hundred staff, more than half non-union, gathered yesterday over their safety concerns. The union asked their members to vote – unanimous support for the motion. The non-union staff asked that their vote be taken – unanimous support for the motion.

Here are some verbatim clips from a message that they sent to Grady, the board, the council and the rest of Dunedin:

“much of the network is now in a run-down state”…..

“it is time Aurora and Delta management admitted there are safety issues on the network”….. 

“Delta needs to ensure, through talking to the workers involved, that information they release to the media about faulty equipment and safety issues is accurate and factual, something which has been sadly lacking so far”….. 

“They need to…… surround themselves with the best people to plan and prepare for the massive task ahead.”…..

“To continually blame the problems and safety issues on an aging network when we all know the problems have arisen through lack of maintenance, lack of planning….. is quite frankly farcical.”

“the council needs to begin an inquiry, as to why the company structure it set up, and the management of those structures has led to such a prolonged period of poor maintenance and a lack of capital investment.”…..

“our greatest concern is safety for the public, followed by their security of supply we believe the continual denial of these problems is preventing progress for resolving the issues and not working in the best interest of the public and workers alike.”

Grady’s response is: “We have regular communications with our staff, but we can always do better and one of the things we will be discussing is how we can better meet their needs for better information.”

That’s why you’re the boss Grady! I would have read that letter as a damning indictment on your leadership and a stinging criticism of what appears to me to be an unconscionable attempt to cover up the failings of the network you operate at the expense of your workers’ safety and safety of the public. You on the other hand see it as a polite call for more information.

Get Gyroscope Johnson to turn down the speed on the Delta spin machine, I think that you’re all getting really giddy.

Apparently you’re meeting with a group to discuss this today. Will Derek Todd, the now ex General Manager of Asset Management be going? I understand from your email late last night that his resignation is with “immediate effect”.

[ends] FB post

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O when the Saints go marching in
When the Saints go marching in
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

There is by now a TEAM of whistleblowers plugged in at Delta, with Richard Healey determinedly positioned as external generator.

How DIABOLICAL At Work does it have to get before unionised and non unionised staff band together to thump their Boss IN WRITING. But the story does not end there.

More insights arriving daily…. on how Grady Cameron Is Not Coping as Chief Executive.

This, as Public Knowledge turns to Public Quandary :
WHY IS Mr Cameron still ma-LINGERING at the sinking helm.

Then too pull out your black armbands in memory of the company directors whether honest and law abiding or in the Vastly Bleak alternative. Examine, if you will, the nasal hairs of DCHL’s SpongeBob Crombie, wiping the floor as *** controller of all things DCC, temporarily.

spongebob’s hiccup [giphy.com]

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T H E ● N E W S
The Otago Daily Times has worked strenuously to raise critical public awareness of Delta/Aurora’s dangerous and degraded power network:

1.12.16 ODT: Delta’s explanations ‘farcical’, staff believe
30.11.16 ODT: Delta staff want answers
30.11.16 ODT: Pole request not ‘overly reactionary’
28.11.16 ODT: Aurora in firing line over policy
28.11.16 ODT: Delta payments to stadium queried
26.11.16 ODT: DCC takes pole risk seriously, CEO says
26.11.16 ODT: The questions we asked Delta/Aurora
25.11.16 ODT: Cameron cancels Delta’s end-of-year functions
25.11.16 ODT: Central Otago council tackles Aurora over poles
23.11.16 ODT: Delta/Aurora ‘in good hands with advisers’
22.11.16 ODT: $16,000 spent on consultants
21.11.16 ODT: Leaked surveys show Delta workers’ concern
17.11.16 ODT: Delta denies 6600V danger
12.11.16 ODT: Every day at Delta a ‘storm’
12.11.16 ODT: Network ‘decayed, neglected’
11.11.16 ODT: Delta/Aurora board query for DCHL
9.11.16 ODT: Delta ignored warning
2.11.16 ODT: Aurora’s chief told to ‘man up’
1.11.16 ODT: $30.25m to replace poles
31.10.16 ODT: $30m fast-tracked to replace poles
29 10.16 ODT: Crombie: heads could roll
29.10.16 ODT: The rot must stop
29.10.16 ODT: Hoping husband did not die in vain
29.10.16 ODT: Warned, in black and white
28.10.16 ODT: Criticism for Cull on poles approach
26.10.16 ODT: Delta, Aurora subject of three investigations
22.10.16 ODT: Call for heads to roll at Delta
22.10.16 ODT: Worksafe starts looking into Delta
21.10.16 ODT: Fears poles could kill

xakyxak Uploaded on Jul 26, 2006
Louis Armstrong – When The Saints Go Marching In

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Delta #EpicPowerFail 7 : Kyle Cameron —The Money or the Bag?

Received from Christchurch Driver [CD]
Wed, 30 Nov 2016 at 10:21 a.m.

>> Like most of Dunedin, in the last fortnight your correspondent has been looking with equal parts of fascination and horror at the torrent of deferred maintenance disasters and associated dissembling from Delta that Vaughan Elder of the Otago Daily Times has wrought upon Aurora. Mr Elder is detonating “aged hand grenade” potheads on an almost daily basis. Delta is surely beginning its death dance.

If readers think that “death dance” is too strong a term and your correspondent is a pothead of a different type, bear in mind the killer statistic revealed when last week Mr Elder publicised the results of Delta’s staff survey : 34% of staff thought that management was “honest” which, put another way, meant that two thirds of the staff considered the management dishonest. Given the preponderance of managers at Delta, this means even some of the managers considered themselves dishonest ! When the managers of an organisation are confident that the management is dishonest, then it is definitely time to do something about it…. However, we can be sure that Deloitte are not going to do anything about it by reporting to DCC what is obvious to all readers of the ODT and What if? : That the Delta and Aurora directors are either corrupt or incompetent to the point of criminal liability under Health and Safety legislation. (Only the first in a long list of fundamental director defects). Mr Crombie can spout excuses all he wants about Deloitte’s alleged “forensic expertise”, the issue is not about forensic expertise but independence and integrity.
Your correspondent has found that accountants’ ethical considerations and field of interest stops precisely at the door of whoever is paying their bill.
Lawyers have a more muscular process and even many lawyers who operate at, shall we say, the barely acceptable margins of their profession have a healthy regard for the disciplinary processes for unethical behaviour. Added to that, there are a number of lawyers available who view taking other lawyers to task as a form of sport. Yes before you ask, your correspondent has seen this in action, and there are regularly reported cases of lawyers being punished by the Law Society.
What your correspondent has not seen, is one accountant taking action against another, or any recent examples of accountants being censured by their professional body. Accountants policing their own ? That won’t work – the cost/benefit is all out of whack. But what we have here is not just one accountant looking the other way. It is the quadruple accountant play for maximum obfuscation and back scratching. One accountant, Mr Crombie (The Godfather) has carefully selected another of the brotherhood, a young go-getter, Kyle Cameron, wanting to make his mark in the Dunedin network (Tartan Mafia if you will). The Godfather carefully explains the rules of the game. The young go-getter knows there may be some short term consequences to him but understands that he will become a corporate career corpse if the rules aren’t followed. The go-getter will question the ‘change manager’ at the bottom of the play, Matt Ballard (Capability and Risk), a former Deloitte brother and member of the tartan clan. The young go-getter will hear no evil, see no evil, and most importantly, find no evidence of deliberate underfunding of the network from 2007 to 2016. That now protects the ‘older’ accountant, the sulphurous Stuart McLauchlan. The go-getter, will report that all is under control, the issues are not new and have been known for a long time. It was just a dreadful and unfortunate coincidence that whistleblower Richard Healey resigned and “some unfortunate publicity” meant it was timely to reveal Grady Cameron’s secret plan to spend $30M on replacing poles. ‘Grady’ will be gently chided for keeping this plan so secret that no one else knew about it and it wasn’t actually in the Long Term Plan, but you know, can’t make an egg without breaking an omelette. To diffuse that particular wet bus ticket, ‘Grady’ will also be commended for his vision and determination to create a safe network out of an aged one. Nothing less should be expected of a Deloitte Young Energy Executive of the Year. (Shameless plug for Deloitte also included).
The villain of the piece will be that Bad Man, John Walsh. He neglected to properly fund the network from the 1990s until his departure in 2009. It is, most definitely, All His Fault.

It hardly needs to be said that what is needed here is not Kyle Cameron, but a lawyer or former judge, someone with some real forensic cross examination talent, who levers the facts from liars and dissemblers every day. Someone with no ties to the incestuous and stifling Dunedin mafia.

However, Mr Crombie is correct that Deloitte does have “forensic” experience – from a besieged client perspective – and that experience is very useful in subtle engineering of the terms of reference, not asking relevant or difficult questions and indulging in Key-style vagueness. Deloitte specialise in appearing to provide a report that involves some gentle chiding, and wet bus tickets, but protects the client from further scrutiny.

In the event Kyle Cameron is the mouse that roared, and actually produces a factual report detailing the disgusting complicity of the directors who created a major public safety hazard by deferring essential maintenance to allow unsustainable dividends to Council, it will be amended by his superiors at Deloitte who have a very simple choice. Do Deloitte want to continue to receive lucrative work from Council, or do they provide a truthful report ? Mayor Cull will do almost anything to avoid ratepayers knowing that they are facing imminent and large de facto rates increases in the form of exponential lines charge increases ….because, huge amounts of Aurora line charges have been squandered on bloated and self-interested management, failed property deals and of course, paying for the stadium, over many years, and for many years to come.
The Crombie and Cull playbook 1 is to get malleable and weak individuals to say what you tell them to, hacking and modifying the facts to suit. Ratepayer funds at risk ? – a trifle as light as air ! What is important is that Mayor Cull and his council’s dividend drug habit is not exposed.

>> All right, readers, stop thinking that someone put genetically modified aggression supplements in the Bells ! Proof of these bald statements you say? Very well, here is the proof….  Until very recently a firm of property management consultants completed Building Warrant of Fitness inspections for the City. Now the firm had a sudden change of ownership recently, which may or may not have had something to do with the “non-voluntary” (careful words needed here readers) ! departure of an individual from the City, not unrelated to someone at the firm, at around the same time.

It appears that the firm may have lacked the necessary, ahem, independence or distance to enable them to provide, shall we say, a more accurate picture of the Building Act compliance status of ratepayer-owned facilities, including the Dunedin Town Hall and Wall Street Mall. When the new owners of the business produced their Warrant of Fitness report this year on those facilities, there was a list – a very long list – of 360 fire rating defects in Wall Street alone. These fire rating defects and other faults dated back to when the buildings were constructed in 2008 and 2011.

(By way of confirmation, If ratepayers care to check the publicly displayed Building Warrant of Fitness at Wall Street they will find there is no certificate, and we understand there are recently lodged official information requests to get to the bottom of this matter).
The establishment, allegedly very unhappy with this burst of unpleasant fire rating revelations from the new and improved firm, may have said words to the effect of “We have 50 buildings that need inspections ! Do you understand what we mean?” …. “We want you to issue the WoF on the basis that we will get around to do some of the work when we feel like it, when we are good and ready and not before !” (We could call this the Aurora option….). The response from the new firm was basically, “We have standards and professional obligations, and we can’t certify something on that basis as you have a record of ignoring previous identified serious faults.” We understand the establishment was then invited by the new firm to employ a specialist Fire Engineer to review the list and the new firm’s report.

So what did the establishment do ? Did it immediately start work on fixing the problem ? Of course not, it sacked the new firm from all work for having the cheek to put in writing things that were deemed “inconvenient”.

Kyle Cameron, what will it be ?

Truth or Consequences?
The Money or the Bag ? (To dispose of the Delta’s directorial corpses).

Dunedin is watching and waiting.

[ends]

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is published in the public interest.

*Image: pinterest.com – ‘It’s in the Bag’ with Teneke Stephenson (formerly Bouchier) and Selwyn Toogood, tweaked by whatifdunedin [Kyle via Deloitte]

Aurora/Delta (same crew!) rips off Central Otago farmers and hort industry producers

Grady Grady Grady, tell us you can do something right, something straight, anything!? For an award-winning (Deloitte!) bright young executive you’re living a Very Slow Death.

Save your health, man, and OURS, by writing that letter of resignation with immediate effect. We’ll feel better if you don’t carry on. Please KNOW that we have to pay the full extremes of YOUR Total Cost To Us and the companies …. “thinkdelta” -of Us- while you’ve got your feet up at home.

Penury. Jail. Is worse.

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Aurora Energy has been warned by the competition watchdog over using its market dominance to force farmers to use its sister company, Delta, as a contractor.

If Aurora was found guilty of breaching the Act, it could be fined more than $10million or three times the commercial gain resulting from the breach.

### ODT Online Mon, 28 Nov 2016
Aurora in firing line over policy
By Vaughan Elder
….The Commerce Commission warned the under-fire company its policy, which forces farmers in the Cromwell and Clyde area to give work to Delta when installing irrigation which had to be connected to its network, could be in breach of the Commerce Act 1986. The commission decided not to take further action, saying the  cost of proceedings could be “disproportionate to the harm”, but told Aurora to be more careful in future. “While the commission does not intend to take any further action against Aurora, you should be aware that we had real concerns about Aurora’s conduct; and our decision to issue this compliance advice letter does not prevent any other person or entity from taking a private action through the courts.”
Read more

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Received from nick
2016/11/17 at 5:49 pm
How does the DCC stand with its Aurora company charging Central Otago orchardists prohibitive lines charges for seasonal irrigation pump connections? It’s been this way for years.
Orchardists so close to renewable hydro energy from Roxburgh and Clyde dams are burning imported fossil fuels to power their pumps because it’s cheaper.
It is absolutely absurd to see the big fuel delivery truck and trailer units filling up the orchard diesel tanks each month.
Any comments from the Council’s ethical investments committee?

Received from nick
2016/10/21 at 7:00 am
Another chapter in this company’s dysfunctional management and governance story.
If it was not continually propped up by the guaranteed and lucrative income stream of Lines Charges, it would have disappeared years ago.
As an aside, Aurora decided in 2013 to exclude private electrical contractors from connecting new irrigation pumps to its Central Otago network – simply because it was not getting any of this work (unable to compete with private enterprise).
The Commerce Commission began an investigation into Aurora’s breach of the Commerce Act over this matter, but Aurora retracted from this policy in April 2016 before the ComCom had completed its determination. They remain on notice, with a warning over this matter.

W O R T H W H I L E ● R E A D
2.11.16 ODT: History shows power to the people lost
Delta’s woes will be shared with Central Otago, writes Nick Loughnan.

Douglas Field 29.11.16 [click to enlarge]

█ For more, enter the terms *delta*, *aurora*, *dchl*, *grady*, *cameron*, *crombie*, *noble*, *yaldhurst* or *epic fraud* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: stuff.co.nz – home detention unit

The EVIL Blend: Delta, Aurora, Fubar Stadium, Our Rates

Received from nick
2016/11/22 at 11:06 pm

DELTA
Think Rundown Infrastructure
Think Pigs in Troughs
Think High Living at Ratepayers Expense
Think Cynical PR Spin
Think Appalling Attitude to Public Safety
Think Expendable Linesmen
Think Bloody Hard about What Comes Next
Think Richard Healey has Shown Us Up
Think the Game Might Be Over.

****

Angina attack.

Oh my lord! Nooooo. The DCC can’t be ‘surprised’ after ALL these years (each and every year) of information slung at it about ongoing stadium spending and subvention payments (particularly by the likes of Calvin Oaten!), Not after the (effortless?) Stadium Review…. Which planet are you on, DCC ?

Some backside covering ERUPTS at ‘city hall’.

Then there’s poor Grady Cameron, he’s someone just not coping with Questions these days. Mr Cameron has turned into quite the veritable rapidly depreciating, $417M cracked record. After the ‘concretising’ Drifting event, let’s see him Put Out To Pasture at the Stadium —once DVML restores the hallowed Otago Rugby turf, of course.

—

“It is patently clear that Delta/Aurora/Dunedin City Holdings Ltd’s priority over the last few years has been to support a rugby stadium at the expense of public safety by way of subsidies/subvention payments.” –Bev Butler

### ODT Online Mon, 28 Nov 2016
Delta payments to stadium queried
By David Loughrey
The Dunedin councillor charged with overseeing Delta and Aurora says the beleaguered companies should be concentrating on their business and health and safety before pouring money into the Forsyth Barr Stadium. That came after it was revealed the companies have paid $29.9 million in subvention payments to the stadium in the past five years. It also appears a Deloitte investigation into the companies will consider the payments issue.

“In no way should people’s health and safety be compromised because we’re trying to pay for a stadium.” –Cr Mike Lord

A Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) request from stadium critic Bev Butler, passed to the Otago Daily Times, showed the extent of the payments. It also showed Delta had paid $392,499 on its corporate suite and other costs at the stadium since 2010. The details of the spending come after weeks of criticism of the companies in which it has been revealed infrastructure has not been maintained, leaving thousands of power poles compromised and potentially dangerous.
Read more

● ODT: Stadium drifting track build ‘ambitious’
The turf at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin handles 1600kg scrums with ease but it is now bearing a load 500 times heavier….

—

On the issue of the corporate suite, Mr Cameron said like any large business, “from time to time we host our customers to strengthen the working relationships”. (ODT)

So, Grady:
Question, you splurge Many Dollars on your main customer – Aurora Energy – by entertaining them at the Stadium? The champagne lifestyle. On Our Money.

—

Related Post and Comments: [THE CHEAPIE INVOICES]
22.11.16 Delta/Aurora spend-up at Stadium —Degraded electricity network, Us ? (said the GOBs) #LGOIMA #Rugby

█ For more, enter the terms *delta*, *aurora*, *dchl*, *grady*, *cameron*, *crombie*, *noble*, *yaldhurst* or *epic fraud* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Douglas Field 18.11.16 [click to enlarge]

DCC on Safety of Aurora/Delta network (remember Stadium Review, Citifleet, South Dunedin flood et al)

THE DEPLORABLE JOKE THAT IS LOCAL BODY GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT AT DUNEDIN
…. wait for the soft audit review by Deloitte [watching paint dry]
…. DON’T meet or respond to the WHISTLEBLOWER in any capacity
…. be on the DEFENSIVE because you’re that Professional
…. DON’T for godsake issue ANY media release to Ratepayers and Residents on HOW TO STAY SAFE given the DANGEROUS and DEGRADED Aurora/Delta network —which can injure or kill.

It is true that whistleblower Richard Healey has contacted the Mayor of Dunedin to offer overview and discussion but the Mayor has NOT responded.

—

### ODT Online Sat, 26 Nov 2016
DCC takes pole risk seriously, CEO says
By Vaughan Elder
The Dunedin City Council has denied being soft on Aurora Energy over the risk to the public caused by rotting poles. The Central Otago District Council (CODC) has been applauded by whistle-blower Richard Healey for asking a series of questions over the danger presented by compromised poles, but he has called on other councils in the region to take a tougher line.
….[DCC chief executive Sue Bidrose] disputed Mr Healey’s suggestion the council was more concerned about its role as owner of Aurora and Delta than health and safety.
Read more

****

The Public absolutely know Delta “is guilty of “spin” and trying to minimise the enormity of the issues it faces over safety and network maintenance”.

### ODT Online Sat, 26 Nov 2016
The questions we asked Delta/Aurora
Aurora Energy and its sister company Delta have had another rough couple of weeks as allegations they have mismanaged Dunedin and Central Otago’s power network continue to mount. The two companies regularly choose not to answer questions posed by the Otago Daily Times. Here are some of those questions, which chief executive Grady Cameron belatedly responded to yesterday.
Read more

ODT —Question 5. What is Delta’s response to the suggestion from two current staff that most people who work in the field support Richard Healey’s stance and think it is a good think (sic) he went public?
Mr Cameron: “The feedback I have received from our people in the field is that they welcome the increased investment being planned for the Aurora Energy network.”

That says it all.
No one on the Aurora/Delta executive or the Boards has -For Years- given a flying toss about YOUR Health and Safety —not while they’ve troughed, not while they’ve supported the DCHL regime to pay DCC unholy dividends.
We know The Guilty, can Name and Vilify Every Last One of Them.

DVL/DVML/DCHL/DCC money pit [cost to Ratepayers +$20M per annum]

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Images: channel39.co.nz – dave cull, bw whatifdunedin | espnscrum.com – stadium build, tweaked by whatifdunedin

New pool —Or, SAFE electricity network for Dunedin and Central Otago

THE BULLSHIT METER is off the Scale:

At a Mosgiel Community Board meeting on Tuesday, Mrs Mosley said research revealed the community was willing to give up to $7.5million for the project.

### ODT Online Thu, 24 Nov 2016
Get your togs on, Mosgiel
By Shawn McAvinue
A date to get your “togs on” and make a splash in a new Mosgiel aquatic facility has been set and a decision about location is down to two sites. Taieri Communities Facility Trust chairwoman Irene Mosley said a timeline to build the facility had been made and people should prepare to enjoy a dip in November 2019. The trust had worked with the Dunedin City Council to identify two sites in Mosgiel to build the facility. […] The announcement of the sites would be made in the Otago Daily Times before Christmas so the public could provide feedback to the trust over summer.
Read more

—

Oh Yeah! Let’s consult on the site for a new ‘4-pool’ complex [DO NOT mention the $$$$$$$$] while EVERYONE IS AWAY ON HOLIDAY. That way we the pool trust (using submissions from our pet Unmonied stakeholders) can easily shove it through Council, led and supported by Cull, Staynes and the new Lord of Finance…. who together, will never see large AURORA/DELTA DEBTS looming for Dunedin City Council ie for the Ratepayers and Residents of Dunedin and Central Otago.

BTW
WE the ratepayers, on behalf of DCC, DO NOT accept unsecured pledges from the Pool Trust– that’s a Stadium mugs’ game we CAN’T AFFORD to play anymore.

—

Comment from Jacob
Fri, 25 Nov 2016 at 11:23 a.m.
Did anybody bother to read the ODT front page propaganda from Irene Mosley ‘Get your togs on, Mosgiel’ ? Research had revealed the community was prepared to throw $7.5million, and might even want to make it $10million. Yeah Right. Then reported in the Taieri Times the same day, the Mosgiel food bank declared that earlier this year demand was at a 10-year high, and was to have a collection to ensure that nobody goes hungry over Christmas. Sounds to me like an awful lot of people out Mosgiel way can’t even afford to buy togs, let alone donate twice for a pool – once through their rates, and again through a donation.

Received from snorkel
Thu, 24 Nov 2016 at 12:43 p.m.
It’s an interesting ODT story, but let’s read between the lines. No transparency (not wanting to be up front with the sites – maybe a landowner with close connections to the trust, will get an inflated price). The timing of the new pool will suit Mike Lord as he’s made his intentions clear that he’ll run for Mayor next time.

█ Report: MOSGIEL POOL FUTURE AQUATIC PROVISION
30 November 2015
Department of Parks, Recreation and Aquatics
https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/526248/ma_council_r_MosgielPool_2015_11_30.pdf (49 pages)

*OPM – Other People’s Money

—

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

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Delta poles : CODC beats DCC to the safety gun, SO not surprising

Tomorrow’s ODT….

At Channel 39 News this evening editor Barry Stewart says:

“Central Otago District Council has turned up the heat on Delta over unsafe poles. So they’re calling for a report on all their endangered poles, and they want to get that sorted.”

Well. It’s not like DCC is nearly so proactive. Mayor Cull’s dwindling idea of Leadership does not accord with Social Responsibility. What. No, at Dunedin there is only THE PERCEPTION of a problem, worth $30M.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Bullswool at Delta never ends

Far from being bullet proof – the credibility is by now well and truly SCORCHED and in tatters. Time to walk, or be pushed. A liability to all power users in Dunedin and Central Otago.

It’s not just about the poles. The Aurora Energy electricity network, managed by Delta Utility Services, is degraded and downright dangerous.

—

“I rejected the claim that shareholder [Dunedin City Council] demands were impacting safety outcomes.” –Grady Cameron (email)

### ODT Online Wed, 23 Nov 2016
Delta/Aurora ‘in good hands with advisers’
By Vaughan Elder
Aurora Energy chief executive Grady Cameron was told to keep his head up and “not get too stressed” as accusations mounted over rotten power poles. The email exchange between Mr Cameron and an unnamed person from another lines company was one of a number of documents provided to the Otago Daily Times after a Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act request. The short exchange on October 21 came only days after former Delta worker Richard Healey went public with his concerns, setting off a chain of events which culminated in multiple investigations and an accelerated plan to replace ageing poles.
Read more

34% of staff thought senior management were honest and straightforward in their dealings with staff. (Which is 19 percentage points below average) –The Survey (Cerno)

—

Spotted ….allegedly, ‘loud-mouthed’ and under the influence in Dunedin’s main street the same day Richard Healey went public…. the executive cares so much for the companies, the staff, and the general public. Epitaph to a young fool with no management expertise or health and safety learning.

█ For more, enter the terms *delta*, *aurora*, *dchl*, *poles*, *epic fraud* or *noble* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Delta/Aurora spend-up at Stadium —Degraded electricity network, Us ? (said the GOBs) #LGOIMA #Rugby

Received.

From: Bev Butler
Sent: Tuesday, 22 November 2016 7:40 p.m.
To: Sue Bidrose [DCC]; Sandy Graham [DCC]; Lee Vandervis; Elizabeth Kerr
Cc: Vaughan Elder [ODT]
Subject: Re: Urgent LGOIMA Request: Delta/Aurora dangerous power poles – reason for financial restraints/clarification/invoices

Dear Sue, Sandy, Lee and Elizabeth
I have just received the attached table and invoices for Delta’s spending at the stadium. They not only have a $45,000pa corporate suite contracted for 10 years, they also have used ratepayers’ money to purchase Gold tickets to concerts, they have spent thousands of dollars on expensive booze/wines and meals, stadium platters etc whilst watching rugby and concerts at the stadium. All this whilst neglecting the maintenance of basic infrastructure.
I am especially disgusted that this is continuing after the excessive abusive spending by the Carisbrook Stadium Trust which you are all aware of. Disappointingly nothing has changed. My opinion is that’s because no one has ever been held to account for the corrupt behaviour that ensued relentlessly throughout the stadium swindle. Please note that these invoices have been signed off by Grady Cameron and Gary Johnson. You may recall Gary Johnson was Farry’s CST public relations boy who worked for Farry part time on a full time salary – all documented in the CST invoices.
Elizabeth, feel free to post on What if as I am at the airport waiting for a flight to go overseas and will be out of range in two hours time.
Sincerely
Bev

On 22 Nov. 2016 2:05 pm, Glenda McGowan [Delta] wrote:

Dear Bev
I refer to your official information request of 12 November 2016 for a copy of all the invoices in relation to the entry in the table under the sub-heading “Other payments, including Forsyth Barr Stadium corporate suite costs (D)” in our response to you of 11 November 2016. The information you have requested is provided in the attached document.

Regards

GLENDA MCGOWAN
PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO CEO

WEB THINKDELTA.CO.NZ

█ Attachment: invoices_0001

********************************

From: Bev Butler
Sent: Saturday, 12 November 2016 10:46 AM
To: Glenda McGowan [Delta]
Subject: Re: Urgent LGOIMA Request: Delta/Aurora dangerous power poles – reason for financial restraints/clarification/invoices

Dear Glenda

Further to my email below requesting clarification for the other payments included in with the corporate suite costs in row D, would you please send me a copy of all the invoices in relation to the entry in the table below under the sub-heading “Other payments, including Forsyth Barr Stadium corporate suite costs (D)”.

Please send me electronic copies.

Thank you.

Sincerely

Bev Butler

********************************

From: Bev Butler
Sent: Friday, 11 November 2016 3:50 p.m.
To: Glenda McGowan [Delta]
Subject: Re: Urgent LGOIMA Request: Delta/Aurora dangerous power poles – reason for financial restraints/clarification

Thanks, Glenda.
Would you please clarify/list what the other payments were for which have been included in with the corporate suite costs in row D.
Thank you.
Sincerely
Bev

On 11 Nov. 2016 3:02 pm, Glenda McGowan [Delta] wrote:

Dear Bev

I refer to your official information request of 26 October 2016 for information regarding Aurora and Delta dividends and WorkSafe. The information you have requested is provided below.

1. The total yearly amount Aurora and/or Delta have paid to DCC/DVML/DVL for the stadium, including grants, subsidies, subvention payments or other, since 2007.

The total of subvention payments, tax offsets and other payments including Forsyth Barr Stadium corporate suite costs paid by Aurora Energy Limited and Delta Utility Services Limited to Dunedin Venues Management Limited or Dunedin Venues Limited by financial year ending 30 June are set out in the table below.

[click to enlarge]

Aurora Energy Limited and Delta Utility Services Limited pay dividends to their shareholder, Dunedin City Holdings Limited. We have not included dividend payments to Dunedin City Holdings Limited in the figures above on the basis that these are not stadium-related payments. Dividend payments are disclosed in our publicly available annual reports at www.auroraenergy.co.nz for Aurora Energy and www.thinkdelta.co.nz for Delta.

Delta | Home
http://www.thinkdelta.co.nz
Delta is the infrastructure specialist. We invest in, design, construct, manage and maintain energy and environmental infrastructure.

Home » Aurora Energy
http://www.auroraenergy.co.nz
New Zealand’s sixth-largest electricity distributor delivering electricity supply to homes and businesses throughout the Dunedin and Central Otago community.

2. Please also send me the name and contact email address of the Worksafe Investigation team leader as I want to ensure that the Worksafe Investigation team receive this relevant information.

The contact details are:
Roy Butler
Technical Officer
Energy Safety
Level 9, 280 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
P +64 9 928 2912
E roy.butler @worksafe.govt.nz
W http://www.worksafe.govt.nz
W http://www.energysafety.govt.nz

Regards,

GLENDA MCGOWAN
PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO CEO

WEB THINKDELTA.CO.NZ

********************************

From: Bev Butler
Sent: Wednesday, 26 October 2016 2:21 PM
To: Grady Cameron [Delta]
Cc: Sandy Graham [DCC] ; Elizabeth Kerr
Subject: Urgent LGOIMA Request: Delta/Aurora dangerous power poles – reason for financial restraints
Importance: High

Wednesday 26 November 2016

Dear Mr Cameron

As you are aware Aurora pay a subsidy of approximately $7.2 million per annum to subsidise the stadium.

At $5000 per power pole this is equivalent to 1440 power poles per year.

I read in the ODT that Aurora’s excuse for not dealing with the backlog of dangerously compromised power poles was that there were financial constraints but nowhere did it mention the reason for these constraints. It is patently clear that Delta/Aurora/DCHL’s priority over the last few years has been to support a rugby stadium at the expense of public safety by way of subsidies/subvention payments.

It is in the pubic interest that Delta/Aurora are transparent especially now that this has become a public safety issue.

I, therefore, urgently request the following:

The total yearly amount Aurora and/or Delta have paid to DCC/DVML/DVL for the stadium, including grants, subsidies, subvention payments or other, since 2007.

Given the total amount is in the vicinity of approximately $40 million, then it is incumbent on you as CEO of both Aurora and Delta to inform the Worksafe Investigation team that Delta/Aurora/DCHL made stadium payments a priority over replacing dangerous power poles.

Please also send me the name and contact email address of the Worksafe Investigation team leader as I want to ensure that the Worksafe Investigation team receive this relevant information.

Yours sincerely

Bev Butler

[ends]

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Delta : Something to ponder……

Received.
Sun, 20 Nov 2016 at 10:44 p.m.

There are questions for the Council to ask Dunedin City Holdings (DCHL).

█ However, the one chosen, namely does DCHL have confidence in Delta, is not one of them.

Council should ask DCHL to explain why Council should have confidence in the board of DCHL, considering:

1) Both Delta and DCHL are expected to report financial budgets competently: recent talk of a need for increased investment required of $39 million suggests this has not happened.

2) Both Delta and DCHL are required to report to the shareholder within 5 days if there are any major issues that should be known, especially media related issues. This has not happened.

3) Delta is apparently intending to borrow $30 million dollars to deal with a public relations issue (the poles are apparently safe). There was no suggestion in any budgets that $30 million would be required for a public relations exercise, despite the CEO of Delta apparently having known for some years that the situation which is now in the spotlight would need to be addressed.

4) Neither of these companies accept that their plans included ignoring safety issues that others have noticed. It appears that Delta still does not accept that there are any safety issues that should have been addressed.

—

It is for DCHL to explain to Council why these financial and safety issues have arisen either without the knowledge of DCHL or with their knowledge which was not passed on.

The starting point must be to sack DCHL and appoint a replacement board unless there are prompt answers to the above which are acceptable both to Council and at this point to the public of Dunedin (and also to other places where Aurora provides services, come to that).

PS. Among the Not acceptable answers:
‘It is important that Council understands that dividends paid from profits are likely to be compromised as a result of the increased replacement programme undertaken by Aurora through Delta.’

[ends]

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: linkedin.com – Fall from a height: a case study [poor Grady], tweaked by whatifdunedin

At ODT : DCC (oblivious) sound bites on Delta/Aurora #letters

Updated post
Sat, 19 Nov 2016 at 3:16 a.m.

—

ODT 18.11.16 (page 10)

Douglas Field 18.11.16

N O T E
All the street lights between Green Island and North East Valley went out earlier this evening (Friday). The CBD now has lights back on, no idea about the rest.

?????

[later]
### ODT Online Fri, 18 Nov 2016
Street lights out in Dunedin
By Timothy Brown
Dunedin was plunged into darkness tonight after the city’s streetlights did not turn on. Delta marketing and communications manager Gary Johnson said the lights were scheduled to turn on at 8.52pm, but the automatic activation never occurred. Reports of the issue from around the city started circulating social media about 9.30pm. The lights were switched on manually from 9.50pm and all lights were confirmed on by 10.10pm, Mr Johnson said. “We apologise for any inconvenience and will be carrying out further investigation to pinpoint the reason the switching did not operate automatically as scheduled,” he said. Link

Updated at ODT Online: Street lights fail to turn on

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Delta : Latest Outage #Tainui #DegradedUnsafeNetwork

Otago Daily Times Published on Nov 16, 2016

“Standard safety protection operated immediately ensuring that the downed line was de-energised and electrically safe.” –Delta [PR]

### ODT Online Wed, 16 Nov 2016
Power restored in Tainui
By Vaughan Elder
Power has been restored to 430 customers in the Dunedin suburb of Tainui after it was cut this morning when a line came down. The outage happened at 9.10am after a power line fell on Cavell St near the intersection with Magdala St. […] Despite the line leaving scorch marks on the ground, the Delta spokesman said the line coming down presented “no danger to the public”.
Read more

****

█ Alert To Future Posts:
Delta is riddled by massive HEALTH AND SAFETY problems, perpetuated by a Sick and Dysfunctional executive culture (CEO, and ELT silos), resulting in a preyed-upon, demoralised, risktaking ‘make-do’ workforce.

The risks to individual lines staff are Ginormous. ‘Fatal conditions’ abound. Corporate care ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing and safety of staff is almost completely lacking. The risks to life are exponentially Unacceptable.

What’s needed ?
Independent senior industry experts (plural) prepared to Scrutinise Delta and Talk Out Loud : to see to immediate replacement of the inexperienced ‘make-worse’ CEO Grady Cameron – and to swiftly empower thoroughly coordinated, highly risk averse and analytical professional work teams to prioritise and carry out network upgrades and replacements.

But what about the money….. there is none. The cost of bringing the electricity network up to compliance standard is Astronomical. A different model of ownership and operation is required –potentially, an opportunity, the Community could assume ownership of the network. Hopefully, ODT can explore the options by looking at other successful models – and which have No Ability to ‘strip and burn’ the asset.

Various sources inside Delta tell us the company has brought in an ex staffer as ‘Consultant’. They are paying him $5000 a day…. to skim the surface, was it. But really, Delta is setting up a new company ‘within Delta’ to replace the dangerous poles (at a Very Slow rate) – the work will be contracted out to the usual culprits. More soon.

Related? The NZ Companies Office notes:
‘DELTA NETWORKS LIMITED – Approved Name Reservation’

****

Wed, 16 Nov 2016
Valpy Rosebowl winner
Otago Daily Times reporter Vaughan Elder has been named the newspaper’s 2016 Valpy Rosebowl Trophy winner. […] The award, for editorial excellence, is presented annually on the anniversary of the November 15, 1861, publication of the first issue of the ODT, New Zealand’s oldest daily newspaper.
Read more

****

Certainly, Vaughan Elder and the other journalists at ODT are holding their end up with timely coverage of the unfolding Delta ‘dangerous poles’ situation. However, the poles – although highly visible and a useful tool to raise Community awareness – are actually the least of it in terms of danger to Delta lines crew and the Community.

Lots to come out in the next days from sources inside and outside Delta.

All the while the Dunedin City Councillors sit on their hands, without a peep about COST TO RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS.

Remember, through the glass darkly, Mayor Cull made a song and dance before the local body elections about having reduced the council’s debt by some small millions; crowing his success with “straightening out council companies”.

This was ‘reinforced’ by [fleeing] Richard Thomson ‘at the end of his last meeting as chairman of the council’s finance committee’, informing us the council’s debt at the end of June had dropped to $217.25 million. ‘This was $30.6 million below budget and well below its target of $230 million by 2021.’

Ahem, ticking the third box of authoritative commentary, on 7 October Graham Crombie rolled up to tell us DCHL’s profit was up 57% and ‘debt across the companies and the council has reduced by $16.8 million to $581 million’. Oh dear, All progress lost and squandered now as Delta borrows $30M to replace the odd pole here and there, with god knows what other spending to be made in the vain hope of compliance.

Dear Daaave : Win some, Lose squillions more.

Otago Daily Times Published on Sep 2, 2016
Dunedin mayoral candidate Dave Cull
The clock is ticking as Dunedin mayoral candidate Dave Cull gets 30 seconds to explain why he should be mayor.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: odt.co.nz – Vaughan Elder, tweaked by whatifdunedin

Delta’s PR consultant

WHEN Delta’s ‘award winning’ young executive Grady Cameron, the Delta Board – woebegone* directors Ian Parton (from 25 Oct 2012), Stuart McLauchlan (1 Jun 2007), David Frow (25 Oct 2012), Trevor Kempton (1 Nov 2013) and Stephen Thompson [Deloitte!] (1 Jun 2016) – the rotten-tooth chair of DCHL Graham Crombie, and the Mayor of City Liabilities and Risk Dave Cull FAIL to Communicate Honestly with the concerned public on Delta’s utter degradation and collapse of Our electricity network —What Do You Do ?

You send in the crows or, a PR clown.

None other than public relations consultant and former broadcaster Spiro Anastasiou. Mr Ana-sneeze rates himself as “a strategic communications specialist with extensive experience in managing issues of public and political sensitivity”. The newest partner in SenateSHJ’s Wellington office, who heads their government relations practice. He returns to consulting “from a role leading strategic communications at the Ministry of Health where he managed the Ministry’s public information programme during the Swine Flu pandemic and was seconded to the Canterbury earthquake response in the All of Government communications role during the two and half month state of national emergency”. Ana-sneeze joined the Ministry of Health “….after more than 10 years consulting in a range of sectors where he provided strategic advice and tactical support to CEOs and senior leaders. This included specialist projects such as industrial relations and change, many with a very high public profile.” Ana-sneeze’s strength is his experience in “….building successful working relationships and a proven track record in government relations. He has excellent media and communication skills developed during a 15 year career in broadcast journalism before he entered consultancy….a native Wellingtonian [blahblah] He enjoys reading and cooking, is a keen fisherman and an enthusiastic golfer.”

Let’s see where this goes —and if Grady and Spiro darling, are to be seen golfing together or co-occupying Delta’s corporate box at the Stadium – on which we have cameras trained. It was bad enough having to secret-squirrel GPS trackers to All (excessive numbers of) company vehicles two weeks ago.

*Understatement, meaning incompetent and grossly negligent.

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The Varmints:

● Delta Utility Services Ltd http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/453486

● Aurora Energy Ltd http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/471661
[Mr Thompson of Deloitte appointed 20 Jun 2016]

● Dunedin City Holdings Ltd http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/559098

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.