DCC responses to LGOIMA requests

Updated post
Sun, 25 Sep 2016 at 8:37 a.m.

Firebrand is a full service web, design and marketing agency.

“We’ve assisted with multiple schemes initiated by the DCC, including Sexy Summer Jobs and Dunedin’s City of Literature. Our work on these projects includes branding and custom website design and development, as well as an ongoing part Pro-Bono Creative Partnership with Sexy Summer Jobs, specifically.” https://firebrand.nz/work/portfolio/article/732

Firebrand has previously offered pro bono services to Greater Dunedin.

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Offical Information Requests

Subject: LGOIMA Request Ref No. 541487
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 3:34 p.m.
From: Elizabeth Kerr
To: Kristy Rusher [DCC]
Cc: Elizabeth Kerr, Sandy Graham, Sue Bidrose
 
Dear Kristy
 
Re DCC open tendering processes
 
This official request stems from citizen concern or perception that contracts for supply are being awarded without Dunedin City Council (DCC) engaging in open tendering processes. I hope this is not the case but I wish to go beyond hearsay in seeking the following information.
 
The divisions of council or council partnershps for which it is unclear whether open tendering processes are being followed are:

● Economic Development Unit (EDU) – co-ordinating Economic Development Strategy initiatives; positioned within Enterprise Dunedin, the agency responsible for the economic development and marketing of the city. Chris Staynes chairs the DCC Economic Development Committee.

● Grow Dunedin Partnership – Partners: Ngāi Tahu, the Otago Chamber of Commerce, Otago Southland Employers’ Association, Otago Polytechnic, the University of Otago, and the Dunedin City Council. The partnership is chaired by Chris Staynes.

● Digital Community Trust (DCT) – Digital Office Ltd (The Digital Office) : see GigCity Dunedin “The Council has supported the Digital Community Trust to deliver the City’s Digital Strategy”; “A total of $250,000 per year has been included for the GigCity project in 2016/17 and 2017/18 so Dunedin can get maximum benefit from being the first New Zealand city to have a gigabyte internet connection.” DCT is chaired by Chris Staynes. 
 
Firstly, Economic Development Unit (EDU):
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded Not using an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
2. In regards to question 1., what are the names of the successful contractors/suppliers and what did their contracts provide for supply?
3. In regards to questions 1. & 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
Secondly, Grow Dunedin Partnership:
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded Not using an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
2. In regards to question 1., what are the names of the successful contractors/suppliers and what did their contracts provide for supply?
3. In regards to questions 1. & 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
Thirdly, Digital Community Trust (DCT) – Digital Office Ltd (The Digital Office) : see GigCity Dunedin
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded Not using an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
2. In regards to question 1., what are the names of the successful contractors/suppliers and what did their contracts provide for supply?
3. In regards to questions 1. & 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
In addition:
● Has the registered company Firebrand been awarded contracts by any of the DCC-related entities bullet-pointed above, in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
● How many contracts for supply have been awarded to Firebrand, Not using an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 March 2016?
● In regards to the last two bullet points, in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?

Further, I understand Firebrand supplied services to Greater Dunedin (now defunct) election campaign(s) in previous years.
 
● Is Firebrand (a usual supplier to DCC ?) currently in discussion with Dave Cull about supplying services to his mayoral campaign for the local body elections in October 2016?
  
Background Information: 
Website:  http://firebrand.nz/   
NZ Companies register: FIREBRAND HOLDINGS LIMITED (3053206) Registered http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/3053206
 
It would be concerning if a usual supplier to the city council was being awarded contracts without being subject to an open (public) tendering process; particularly if that same supplier was also discussing or had already been engaged to provide services to the Mayoral election campaign. If true, this would seem to be inappropriate and an interest should be declared. However, until more information is obtained I retain a completely open mind.
 
I seek your response by email in digital format. Thank you.
  
Sincerely
Elizabeth Kerr

Subject: LGOIMA Request Ref No. 541554
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:37 p.m.
From: Elizabeth Kerr
To: Kristy Rusher [DCC]
Cc: Elizabeth Kerr, Sandy Graham, Sue Bidrose
 
Dear Kristy
 
Re DCC open tendering processes
 
This official request stems from citizen concern or perception that contracts for supply are being awarded without Dunedin City Council (DCC) and its CCO Delta Utility Services Ltd or any other DCC controlled entity engaging in open tendering processes. I hope this is not the case but I wish to go beyond hearsay in seeking the following information.
 
It is unclear whether open tendering processes are being followed by :
 
Firstly, DCC Communications and Marketing
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded to the company Firebrand in the period 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016? Please outline the services supplied.
2. In regards to question 1., how many of these contracts for supply did Not go through an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016? Please outline the services supplied.
3. In regards to question 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
Secondly, Delta Utility Services Ltd (the Council owned company)
1. How many contracts for supply have been awarded to the company Firebrand in the period 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016? Please outline the services supplied.
2. In regards to question 1., how many of these contracts for supply did Not go through an open tendering process in the period from 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016? Please outline the services supplied.
3. In regards to question 2., in each case why wasn’t an open tendering process utilised?
 
Thirdly, has any other DCC controlled entity engaged the services of the company Firebrand in the period 1 Jan 2015 to 18 April 2016; if so have any of those contracts awarded for services Not followed an open (public) tendering process; and if so why not?
 
Background Information: 
Website:  http://firebrand.nz/  
NZ Companies register:  FIREBRAND HOLDINGS LIMITED (3053206) Registered http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/3053206
 
I seek your response by email in digital format. Thank you.
  
Sincerely 
Elizabeth Kerr

█ Go to Comments for more LGOIMA requests and all responses.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year. This post is offered in the public interest.

University calling Property Services

The University of Otago has expensive real estate and facilities at Dunedin, substantial numbers of heritage and modern buildings, tracts of housing, halls of residence and colleges, a space programme and a campus master plan. The university always has some sort of building and construction work going on most of the time.

The Property Services Division, headed by Barry MacKay (pictured), states its raison d’être as:

“We create, develop and maintain the Otago campuses in a way that inspires and supports excellence in all that experience them. We’re proud to support the ongoing academic mission of New Zealand’s first university by providing the best facilities, services and physical environment in which staff, students and the general public can learn, teach, live and play. From overseeing the design and construction of award-winning buildings, fixing broken light bulbs, booking office space, cutting the grass and trimming hedges, we’re the highly-trained men and women who help keep the five University of Otago campuses humming.”
http://www.otago.ac.nz/propertyservices/index.html

Despite the amazing upbeat veneer of professionalism and competence….

Imagine the university’s shrill consternation over an ‘outstanding’ Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) —for work to Aquinas Hall in 2008.

Just this week the university started contacting members of the local building fraternity…. confusing particular builds and industry players, with SO MUCH BLAMING and, decidedly, no track of its own on which relevant project or missing CCC….

Turns out, the Stage 2 Aquinas job had been project managed by the university. Property Services should’ve called Property Services.

Too many light bulbs need to be changed. Not enough energy, Mr MacKay, put into your project management systems.

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█ A code compliance certificate is a formal statement issued under section 95 of the Act, that building work carried out under a building consent complies with that building consent.

Code compliance certificates – Ministry of Business …
http://www.building.govt.nz/bofficials-code-compliance-cert

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Related Posts and Comments:
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
24.7.13 University: Leith flood protection scheme and landscaping
● 31.5.13 University of Otago development plans [see latest comments]

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC : Enterprise Dunedin : Gigatown —DEEP QUESTIONS

Received.

Anonymous
Submitted on 2015/07/29 at 9:47 am

Where is the Gigatown?
What has been accomplished since February?
What happened to the $50K for “key projects”?
Who is employed by the Digital Office, on the ground, currently?
Where is the new office, the physical presence, supposedly in George St?
What has happened to the $200K approved by Council from July 2015 onwards?
What has happened to the Project Coordinator Position in Enterprise Dunedin? And the associated $100K also approved by Council?
Where is the social media campaign, supposedly delegated to Digital Office in June?
Where is the PR campaign, supposedly awarded to Glow PR in June?
Where is the Gigabit WiFi, supposedly delegated to Digital Office in June?
Where are the companies who moved to Dunedin on the back of the win?

Does the DCT still meet weekly on Mondays? Where are the reports of these meetings?

In short, where is the “game-changing economic boost” promised by the same Mayor who is off to China to explore the next “huge potential”?

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█ Gigatown Dunedin – Plan for Success FINAL
via chorus.co.nz

[excerpt – click to enlarge]

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Virtual Eye Published on Jun 12, 2014
Gigatown Dunedin
#GigatownDunedin is Dunedin’s answer to Chorus’s Gigatown competition. As part of the competition, businesses had to answer five questions put forward by Chorus. This is how ARL answered those questions, on behalf of our hometown.
(In October 2013, Chorus announced that one town in New Zealand would receive the fastest internet in the Southern Hemisphere at extraordinarily cheap prices.)

Otago Daily Times Published on Nov 17, 2014
Gigatown Dunedin Stage2
This #gigatownDUN video is part of Dunedin’s entry into the #gigatown New Zealand competition, the video accompanies the written submission in the final round, the Plan for Gig Success.

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OUSA poster bollard

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

time to go home —girls’ own pl.

aware and active c.2000
[click to enlarge]

*from my notebooks 1995/6

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

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC on latest financial results

Don’t take it lying down, not yet

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Dunedin City Council – Media Release
Financial Rating Outlook Remains Stable

This item was published on 04 Dec 2014

The Dunedin City Council has maintained its financial rating. In a Research Update released today, Standard and Poor’s (S & P) has affirmed the AA long-term and A-1+ short-term issuer credit ratings.
DCC Group Chief Financial Officer Grant McKenzie says it is pleasing to have the rating affirmed. “This reflects the ongoing work by elected members and staff to limit operational spending and reduce debt levels.”
In its 2014 update, S & P states the ratings reflect its view of New Zealand’s extremely predictable and supportive institutional framework, plus Dunedin’s strong financial management and very strong budgetary performance. “The stable outlook reflects our expectations that Dunedin will continue to manage its financial position in line with our forecasts.”

█ S & P is expected to release its full report in about a week.

Contact Grant McKenzie, Group Chief Financial Officer on 03 474 3849.
DCC Link

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LARGE DROP IN EXPENDITURE DUE TO DELAYED PROJECTS

### dunedintv.co.nz December 4, 2014 – 5:43pm
DCC coming in under budget in latest financial results
As the year draws to a close, the city council’s latest financial results are being analysed. Overall things are looking good for the council, with many expenses coming in under budget. But the favourable accounts have highlighted a problem with one particular service.
Video

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15.11.14 Stadium #TotalFail

3.11.14 DCC: What happened to $20 million cash on hand? #LGOIMA
[DCC refuses to answer, processing . . . ]

23.8.14 DCC public finance forum 12.8.14 (ten slides)
5.7.14 DCC’s debt level — who do you believe?
17.12.13 DCC, Dunedin City Treasury and 3 big banks [Interest Rate Swaps]

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: ehowcdn.com – Benefits being massage therapist

Clarke and Dawe (palliative care after extraordinary meeting at #DUD)

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Nov 19, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – Growth first. Then these other things can be dealt with, whatever they are.
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ClarkeAndDawe Published on Sep 17, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – Des is Eliminated Here But at Least he Isn’t at Work.
“Mr Desmond Traction. Fear Maintenance Officer” Originally aired on ABC TV: 18/09/2014

http://www.mrjohnclarke.com | http://www.twitter.com/mrjohnclarke | http://www.facebook.com/ClarkeAndDawe

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC staff-led CBD projects that impact ratepayers | consolidated council debt

Invitation [click to enlarge]

53,000 ratepayers | DCC Staff-led projects (sample):

█ Princes Street and South Princes Street Upgrade
█ Warehouse Precinct Revitalisation Plan
█ Dunedin Central City Plan
█ Dunedin City Integrated Transport Strategy 2013
█ Proposed Cycle Network
█ The Second Generation Plan for Dunedin

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Own Vision: Princes Street (entrance to Distinction Dunedin hotel)

Own Vision: Vogel Street

Own Vision: Octagon

Own Vision: Queens Garden 1

Own Vision: Queens Garden 2

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The Central City Plan involves these projects:
(er, thanks again Spendthrift Staff)

● Warehouse Precinct Revitalisation Plan
● Central City Heritage Re-use Grants Scheme
● Street Improvements in Bond and Vogel Streets
● Making Crawford and Cumberland Street Two-way
● Queens Garden Upgrade
● Exchange Square Upgrade
● The Octagon Upgrade
● George Street Upgrade
● Princes Street and South Princes Street Upgrade
● Pocket Parks
● Improved Pedestrian and Cycle Safety in the Central City
●●●● Other Projects and Initiatives

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What “Other Projects and Initiatives” ?!!

As well as specific place-based projects, the draft Central City Plan outlines other projects and initiatives relevant to the central city area:

● Investigate the location and provision of public toilets and restrooms throughout the central city in a toilet priority plan
● Design a plan for the incorporation of public art in the streetscape
● Investigate opportunities for using a range of public spaces in the central city for events as alternative/additional venues to the Octagon
● Develop a plan to improve the pedestrian experience along the routes from the campus to the ‘warehouse precinct’ (night and day)
● Investigate opportunities for more play equipment in central city spaces, such as the Library Plaza and Albion Lane
● Improve the quality of footpaths, including paving surface, furniture, trees and planting, and making them wider where possible
● Encourage building owners to add decorative lighting to highlight buildings that have heritage/ architectural values
● Improve lighting for pedestrians in some areas
● Improve processes and streamline procedures to help building owners re-use their buildings
● Work on a strategy to overcome procedural and financial barriers to revitalisation in the ‘warehouse district’
● Make District Plan changes to better reflect built form, help and promote quality development, review activity zones and activities, and protect special character in the central city and large-scale retail zone
● Prepare a development resource package telling prospective businesses about the Dunedin facilities, amenities and lifestyle
● Liaise with a building owner/developer to undertake a pilot project to help develop a creative quarter
● Consider the location of key tourist information facilities
● Investigate the desired model for a central city retail management body
● Work on a plan to encourage trucks coming from the Southern Motorway and heading to the port to follow Strathallan and Wharf Streets.
● Investigate the need for the development of a parking building in the light of the vision for a creative quarter
● Work with ORC to consider options for improving public transport flow and provision in the central city
● Assess options to improve pedestrian and cyclist connections across SH1, the railway lines and Thomas Burns Street
● Investigate the need for a transport hub for coach parking, cruise ship passenger drop-off and visitor parking, including campervans
● Improve visitor and information signage throughout the central city
● Build cycle storage facilities in strategic locations
● Undertake detailed investigation of measures need to promote the ‘Western Inner Relief Route’
● Encourage the freeholding of leasehold land.

DCC Link

Someone just stepped into his role, with all the usual friction, complicity and conflicts. They’ll also bring in hairless and carless days.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Clarke and Dawe: Slush funds… and footie bookings

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Jun 25, 2014

Clarke and Dawe: The Title of This Item Was Deemed to be Freighted and Has Been Removed
“Denny Kistmee, Slush Fund Consultant” Originally aired on ABC TV: 26/06/2014

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ClarkeAndDawe Published on Jun 18, 2014

Clarke and Dawe – International Sport is Open for Business
“Arthur Swissbank, Senior Protocols Advisor to FIFA” Originally aired on ABC TV: 19/06/2014

http://www.mrjohnclarke.com
http://www.twitter.com/mrjohnclarke
http://www.facebook.com/ClarkeAndDawe

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC Draft Annual Plan 2014/15 Submissions due by 15 April

### ODT Online Fri, 11 Apr 2014
Draft budget feedback pretty good: council
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council says feedback on its draft budget has been “pretty good” despite some disappointing turnouts at public meetings in recent weeks. The council concluded a series of eight public meetings and drop-in sessions with a discussion of cycleway and road-widening work on Otago Peninsula at the Edgar Centre on Tuesday night.
Public submissions on the council’s 2014-15 draft annual plan were “flooding in now” and had reached 427 by late yesterday, council corporate planner Jane Nevill said. That was well above the 262 submissions received by the council on its 2013-14 draft budget.
Read more

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DRAFT DCC ANNUAL PLAN 2014/2015
The draft annual plan sets out the Council’s proposed annual budgets and performance measures for 2014/15 and updates the information for the 2014/15 year that in contained in the Council’s ten year plan or Long Term Plan (LTP) which was put in place last year.
Please tell DCC whether you agree or disagree with spending priorities for 2014/15 outlined in the draft plan by making a submission.
The consultation period is your opportunity to “Have Your Say” about what you want to see included in the Council’s plans.

█ Submissions close at 5pm, Tuesday 15 April 2014.
Timeframes and Meeting times

█ Read more (with downloads):
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/draft-annual-plan-2014-2015

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Related Posts and Comments:
30.3.14 Paul Pope on local body annual plans
20.1.14 DCC Draft Annual Plan 2014/15

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Paul Pope on local body annual plans

Is the Annual Plan like Christmas? Photo: Paul Pope

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Received.
Thursday, 20 March 2014 3:17 p.m.

http://paul-pope.co.nz/2014/03/20/is-the-annual-plan-like-christmas/
I wrote this on my personal political blog partly for my own amusement, you might find parts of it amusing also, though it does have a serious message regarding participation and scrutiny of the local government annual planning process. I’m trying to write more about issues in our area.
Regards

Paul Pope
Deputy Chair Otago Peninsula Community Board

Read Paul’s personal blog about life and issues on the Community Board at www.paul-pope.co.nz

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DRAFT DCC ANNUAL PLAN 2014/2015
The draft annual plan sets out the Council’s proposed annual budgets and performance measures for 2014/15 and updates the information for the 2014/15 year that in contained in the Council’s ten year plan or Long Term Plan (LTP) which was put in place last year.
Please tell DCC whether you agree or disagree with spending priorities for 2014/15 outlined in the draft plan by making a submission.
The consultation period is your opportunity to “Have Your Say” about what you want to see included in the Council’s plans.

Submissions close at 5pm, Tuesday 15 April 2014.
Timeframes and Meeting times

Read more (downloads):
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/draft-annual-plan-2014-2015

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Related Posts and Comments:
20.1.14 DCC Draft Annual Plan 2014/15

For more, enter the terms *draft annual plan*, *cull*, *cycle*, *dvml*, *hotel*, *stadium*, or *annual plan* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Fairfax NZ News at Dunedin

Following the closure of DScene, Fairfax Media has confirmed the establishment of a Fairfax NZ News bureau position in Dunedin.

Former DScene reporter Wilma McCorkindale has been appointed to the role and has already begun filing Otago stories to the Stuff website and national newspapers.

McCorkindale can be contacted on 027 667 7912
Email: wilma dot mccorkindale at fairfaxmedia dot co dot nz

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Related Post and Comments:
10.5.13 DScene, staying power . . .

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC draft annual plan 2012/13

Find links and comments to preliminary media reports at
DCC living beyond its means [all spending and debt not declared]
Links to DCC staff reports at Comments

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UPDATE 21.1.12
### ch9.co.nz January 20, 2012 – 6:13pm
DCC budget proposal
Next week the Dunedin City Council will be meeting to discuss budget proposals for the 2012-2013 Annual Plan. Mayor Dave Cull says it’s not just the stadium which has created current Council debt, but a number of other issues, as well.
Video

Well, Mayor Cull would say that. However, the stadium project has been the one to expose the council to public scrutiny and awareness of a decade of mismanagement of ratepayer funds. Such that the debt per Dunedin ratepayer is now about six times the national average. As other commentators are demanding, a full independent forensic financial investigation into DCC, DCHL, DVML, DVL and CST is required.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Loughrey on Chin – ODT

UPDATED

### ODT Online Thu, 6 Aug 2009
Mayor bullish on council record
By David Loughrey

The Dunedin City Council may be reeling from a barrage of criticism from an angry public, but Mayor Peter Chin says the decisions it has made to support major multimillion-dollar projects are the right ones.
Read more

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Why keep plugging Facebook group The DCC has lost the plot. Sorry ODT, what’s your fascination there. It’s a minor thing of little substance and is not a true reflection of the public view – get out and speak to Dunedin citizens and group leaders if you want the real picture.

I’m still trying to picture Peter Chin as “bullish”… sly perhaps.