Why would DCC shaft its own company instead of investing in its change and development ?!

ODT 20.4.17 (page 28)

At Facebook:

—

Related Post and Comments:
11.3.17 How Safe Are We/Our Businesses with the Corporate Disaster that’s Aurora, owned by DCC ? #reliability

█ For more, enter the terms *delta*, *grady*, *aurora*, *poles*, *asset management plan*, *dchl*, *auditor-general*, *epicpolefail* or *epic fraud* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Waste Management NZ Ltd is Chinese owned

Report from the University Landscape Trenches : Financial shoring collapsing, trouble brewing

Received from Rhodes
Mon, 24 Oct 2016 at 9:14 p.m.

Saturday’s ODT had an interesting article about delays on the troubled University of Otago landscaping project. This article is the canary in the University construction goldmine, as there are other even much larger disputes brewing on current University projects that certainly will become a goldmine for the contractors, to the detriment of the University’s financial health.

Hoarding, University of Otago

Mr Mackay said the complications on the landscaping included “replacing old water, sewage and drainage pipes”. What he did not say is that this work was meant to have been done two summers ago, BEFORE the academic year, but due to the project management, it was not. However, this landscaping project is small beer, there are much bigger problems looming.

The University, in their biggest ever project, at the 11th hour, on the “advice” of a contractor, Fletcher Construction, who we understand did not even finally submit a bid, told the University they could save a few hundred thousand on the $100 million project by deleting the need for a cost control schedule…. that would have severely limited what the contractors could charge for changes and extra work. In a monumental display of incompetence, the University stopped production of the schedule – which was already underway and had to be part paid for anyway and put the drawings and specifications out to tender without a schedule. If the drawings were 100% complete and the University wasn’t to change its mind that would be OK, but the Pope is more likely to preach at Canterbury Cathedral than this happening. Of course, the drawings are woefully incomplete, and the arguments and changes have started. Watch out for Someone from the University Property Services division, in about a year, to be in full dissembling mode about the delays, and how, “even though it’s six months late, it’s still on budget”. If that is the case, the budget has massive doses of incompetency cover built into it !

An additional problem that’s about to come home to roost in the University and Otago Polytechnic’s coffers is insistence, by University Property Services, on the use of “Early Contractor Involvement” (ECI). (Someone at University Property Services has never met a new construction euphemism he did not use or a project delay that he could not justify). Both the University and Polytech on recent large projects have engaged in tender processes where there is no fixed sum, because the documents are far from complete, and the current fashion du jour is to have “early contractor involvement” where the builders are paid to be involved in the design phase, to provide “constructability” expertise. Basically the builders make a submission to say what nice people they are, and advise percentage site overhead and profit margins they would build the project for. The rest of the cost, about 85-90%, is just guesswork. (“Provisional Sums”). This process allows the “tender evaluation team” (mainly the Architect and the University) to choose who they want, without regard to price, because the weighting for “non-price attributes” is a lot more than 50% of the total weighting.

On both the University commerce building project, just started by Naylor Love, and the Polytechnic Hostel project (also won by Naylor Love), this was the process. Both projects are around $20 million all up. Significantly, the architect on both projects was Mason & Wales. There were a number of other consultants in the design teams. The politest way to put the next point is that there appeared to be “confusion” about the proposed early contractor involvement process from the team. It was thought, inexplicably, that this wonderful new system of selecting builders without worrying about price meant not only did they get to choose ones with very high margins who wouldn’t cause problems when the inevitable design problems arose, some consultants also thought that they could charge full fees and offload all of the detailing onto the builder…. which of course did not happen. Builders, in the South Island anyway, do not employ armies of CAD operators who can document bespoke large projects. That is what designers are for…. In both cases, the successful Naylor Love bid was hundreds of thousands of dollars more expensive than lower bids. Also in the case of both bids, the University and the Polytech paid a premium of around $500-600,000 to have the “ECI/ constructability” experience of Naylor Love…. only to find that the advice received was NOT what was expected…. the Polytech project has been now costed by Naylor Love and is $1.5-2.0 million over budget, and the “expert” constructability / ECI advice that the Polytech effectively paid $600,000 for is…. wait for it…. to make the building smaller. Hmmm, expensive and brief advice! Best not tell the Humanities students ! The other unsuccessful contractors may well feel aggrieved about how this process played out, as before they were even allowed to provide a proposal they had to prove their capability and experience to do the work, so in theory all tenderers were equally capable, and there was no logical reason for the favouritism to Naylor Love…. but were there other reasons ? There appears no meaningful financial oversight, the project teams seem a law unto themselves, and the suspicion is that both institutions’ funds are being spent in a very free and easy fashion.

[ends]

—

Related Posts and Comments:
18.7.16 Misero-mercenary at U of O
1.7.16 No one wants to work for U of O
25.9.15 University calling Property Services
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
27.5.13 Carisbrook and Leith flood protection
17.11.10 Leith Lindsay Flood Protection Scheme
17.5.10 Campus Master Plan
28.1.10 University of Otago Campus Master Plan

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Cycleway planning at #DUD

T R U E ● O R ● F A L S E

First we heard there were resignations via ODT.

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/389654/fourth-high-profile-transport-department-resignation

Although some might be working out notice.

Online identities and job titles suggest people are still at DCC.

Simple. Not updated at LinkedIn possibly.

What’s your point ?!

“THE SUBSEQUENT NEWS” …. [pregnant pause]

The (friends ?)(professionals ?) have set up in the land of private enterprise.

Good for them.

But wait.

Someone has snaffled new cycleway planning and project management off DCC.

Noooo ! What ?

We thought we heard via SPOKES….. that “they” (the privateers) have ‘won’ (??) er, DCC’s new cycleway planning contracts to STUFF Dunedin roads.

Surely, they’d have had to go through an open tender process ?

Mmm. That remains to be seen.

Our Rates Money will go straight to the NOW Private Contractors in larger amounts probably.

Nah, don’t believe it. Can’t be True.

*Preferred Suppliers*—
Some Councillors know, some don’t.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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

*Image: glendalecycles.com – Bob Lafay 12/03

Misero-mercenary at U of O

Just in, Rhodes says:

Naylor Love stiffed by U of O.
$100M Dental School to be awarded to Leighs Construction.

But…
Naylor Love’s consolation prize is the new $18M Otago Polytechnic Hall of Residence, where they were significantly more expensive than other local rival Amalgamated Builders, but scored much higher on non-price attributes, which gave them top ranking.

Amalgamated Builders, clearly not flavour of the month at either Polytech or University —it’s understood the same thing occurred at the recent Commerce Building Upgrade.

—

Related Post and Comments:
1.7.16 No one wants to work for U of O
31.5.13 University of Otago development plans

For more enter the term *university*, *campus master plan*, *property services*, *leith flood protection* or *landscaping* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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

ODT: Vandervis v Cull

‘Mr Cull maintained he was correct to call Cr Vandervis a liar during a furious bust-up at a council meeting last December, telling the Otago Daily Times yesterday “a lie is a lie”.’

### ODT Online Sat, 7 May 2016
Threat to ‘double damages’
By Vaughan Elder
Councillor Lee Vandervis has threatened to “double the damages” from defamation action after Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull stood by calling him a liar. […] Cr Vandervis launched the defamation action this week, saying Mr Cull calling him a liar during a discussion on a new council procurement policy was incorrect and defamed him. A letter sent to Mr Cull by Cr Vandervis’ legal counsel, Alistair Paterson, said he would be willing to forgo defamation action if Mr Cull paid his legal costs and made a public apology in a full council meeting filmed by Dunedin Television and in the presence of Allied Press [Otago Daily Times] reporters.
Read more

Channel 39 Published on Dec [14]*, 2015
Councillor asked to leave meeting
Councillor Lee Vandervis was instructed by Mayor Dave Cull to leave a Dunedin City Council meeting today. The request came after Cr Vandervis alleged that tender contracts could not be secured unless a relationship was developed with staff. The Mayor rejected his claims, saying he had no proof. Cr Vandervis then proceeded to continue discussing the matter and was asked to leave.
Note: Incorrect date of meeting given at YouTube entry.

Dunedin City Council Published on Dec 15, 2015
[full meeting video – relevant segment near end from 2:07:19]

● Unconfirmed Minutes of Meeting (14.12.15)
No reason given for minutes as yet unconfirmed by Council.

Related Posts and Commments:
14.3.16 Cr Vandervis co-operates with investigators #mediaslant
20.12.15 More emails —DCC aftermath of full council meeting 14.12.15
19.12.15 Member of the public lays Conduct complaint against Mayor Cull
15.12.15 Santa Cull’s idea of standing orders 14.12.15 #xmasface

█ For more, enter the term *vandervis* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Election Year —this post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: dunedintv.co.nz – archivemash by whatifdunedin

More emails —DCC aftermath of full council meeting 14.12.15

Updated post
Mon, 21 Dec 2015 at 1:00 p.m.

—

“I have told you personally of a relationship with a DCC manager where I had to pay a 10% backhander to get a contract.” –Cr Vandervis to Mayor Cull

### ODT Online Mon, 21 Dec 2015
Contract fraud call at DCC
By Chris Morris
Dunedin city councillor Lee Vandervis’ actions will form part of a fresh fraud investigation inside the Dunedin City Council, after he claimed to have paid a backhander to secure a council contract. Council staff have confirmed his actions would be examined by the council’s internal auditors, Crowe Horwath, under the council’s new fraud prevention policy.
Read more

Otago Daily Times Published on Dec 14, 2015
Cr Lee Vandervis instructed by Mayor Dave Cull to leave meeting.
[Vandervis statement around 1.25 mark]

—

Received from Lee Vandervis
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 at 10:56 p.m.

Re: Town Hall Redevelopment Project and Citifleet fraud allegations

—— Forwarded Message
From: Sandy Graham
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2015 02:37:27 +0000
To: “Council 2013-2016 (Elected Members)”
Cc: “Executive Leadership Team (ELT)”
Subject: Additional LGOIMA emails re Various matters related to allegations from Monday meeting

Councillors

Please find attached an additional PDF that was included in the information provided to the ODT but got missed in my earlier email to you.

Apologies.

Sandy

From: prncc209@dcc.govt.nz
Sent: Friday, 18 December 2015 12:48 p.m.
To: Sandy Graham
Subject: Message from KM_C454e

(1) Attachment:
█ SC454E0591715121812470 [683890] (PDF, 169 KB)
Lee Vandervis to Bidrose 28.6.15 [thread]

—

Related Post and Comments:
19.12.15 DCC aftermath of full council meeting 14.12.15 (emails released)

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC aftermath of full council meeting 14.12.15 (emails released)

Extraordinary times at Dunedin City Council in which no-one looks good. With what political mileage generated at mayoral level; and what questions of the chief executive, and ODT’s role and or complicity, in this sudden council release of information to the public realm.

Read the email threads attached to Sandy Graham’s email to Cr Vandervis.

More than ever, these exchanges show strong need for an independent Procurement manager position at Dunedin City Council with oversight of all managers of departments and divisions, as Cr Vandervis has been recommending for some time.

Unsurprisingly, belatedly, an investigation into alleged fraud at City Property should commence, along the lines of what happened for Citifleet —this time, with full accountability to the ratepayers and residents of Dunedin.

—

Received from Lee Vandervis
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 at 11:12 a.m.

—— Forwarded Message
From: Lee Vandervis
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2015 10:02:42 +1300
To: Sandy Graham, Andrew Noone, Andrew Whiley, Chris Staynes, Doug Hall, Hilary Calvert, John Bezett, Jinty MacTavish, Kate Wilson, Lee Vandervis, Mayor Cull, Mike Lord, Neville Peat, Richard Thomson, David Benson-Pope, Aaron Hawkins
Cc: Sue Bidrose
Conversation: LGOIMA request – Various matters related to allegations from Monday’s meeting
Subject: LGOIMA request – Various matters related to allegations from Monday’s meeting

Dear Sandy,

Given the Deloitte comment “We do not have any objection to you sharing this letter with the Councillors.”
and my repeated LGOIMA and requests for other Deloitte information, why was this information not supplied to me well before now?!
Please state complete reasons and who was responsible for the decisions to withhold this information from me.

Regards,
Cr. Vandervis

On 18/12/15 12:03 pm, “Sandy Graham” wrote:

Dear Councillors

FYI. This is a response to a LGOIMA request that we provided to the ODT. It is likely to feature in the paper over the next day or two.

Regards
Sandy

—————————————

From: Sandy Graham
Sent: Thursday, 17 December 2015 4:33 p.m.
To: Chris Morris [ODT]
Subject: LGOIMA resposne – Various matters related to allegations from Monday’s meeting

Dear Chris

Further to your LGOIMA request, please find below and attached responses to your questions.

You stated:
At Monday’s council meeting, Cr Vandervis claimed he had paid a backhander to council staff to secure a contract prior to his time as a councillor. I’m told by the Mayor that this is believed to relate to a former staff member who no longer works for council.

Q Are staff investigating or considering the legal or other implications of Vandervis’ backhander claim?

Yes – all aspects of the transaction will be investigated.

Q If so, can you say what the implications of his statement are, and the possible options or actions that might follow? Does it, for example, trigger an investigation under the council’s anti-fraud policies, and would that look at the actions of the former staff member, Cr Vandervis, or both?

The internal auditors have been advised and they are following the process as per the Fraud Prevention Policy and Procedures.

Q What action might be taken as a result?
It’s too early to say what if any action will be taken.

Previous questions
1. What claims has Lee Vandervis made in relation to alleged fraud involving council?

See attached emails which provides documented details of recent fraud allegations. As discussed, these emails are the what we have been able to quickly identify over the past couple of years. We have not gone back further at this stage.

2. What evidence, if any, has he provided to back up those claims?
Please see emails as above

3. I’m told the DCC received a separate piece of information from Deloitte assessing the claims made by Lee Vandervis in relation to the Citifleet fraud. If possible, can I have a copy of that today?

A copy is attached with redactions to protect the privacy of certain individuals pursuant to section 7(2)(a) of LGOIMA.

As we have withheld certain information, you are entitled to a review by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Regards
Sandy

Sandy Graham
Group Manager Corporate Services
Dunedin City Council

—— End of Forwarded Message

(4) Attachments:

█ SC454E0591715121715540 [546869]
Email thread Bidrose 16.12.15 – Community Housing Maintenance Contract LGOIMA

█ Email – 2015_02_25_Redacted]
Lee Vandervis to Grant McKenzie 25.2.15 In Confidence- Alleged Fraud

█ Email – 2015_02_25_Redacted [546867]
Email thread Grant McKenzie to Lee Vandervis 25.2.15 In Confidence- Alleged Fraud

█ SC454E0591715121715470_Redacted [546868]
Deloitte to Bidrose 4.8.14 – City Fleet Investigation – Matters raised by Councillors

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Epere on driving charges, now faces drugs charges after police raid

From: Hamish McNeilly [Fairfax Dunedin Bureau Chief]
Sent: Wednesday, 16 December 2015 6:16 p.m.
To: Elizabeth Kerr
Subject: So Albert Epere on drug raid. See my earlier links

—

Gang member loses gardening contract with Dunedin Council after arrested for speeding
By Hamish McNeilly Last updated 17:11, December 16 2015
A gang member has lost his contract to maintain Dunedin’s public gardens after he was arrested for racing on a state highway. In October, the Dunedin City Council awarded Mauri Kohatu Incorporated, a $52,000 trial contract to maintain some city greenspaces until June 30, 2016. […] In a statement issued late Wednesday, the council said it suspended its trial social procurement contract with Mauri Kohatu after becoming aware of Epere’s alleged offending on Monday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/75172101/gang-member-loses-gardening-contract-with-dunedin-council-after-arrested-for-speeding

Man arrested after police raid on Dunedin gang pad
By Hamish McNeilly Last updated 13:45, December 16 2015
Armed police took part in an early morning raid of a Dunedin gang house. Police raided a Pine Hill Rd property on Wednesday morning and arrested a 49-year-old man. The property was understood to be connected with Black Power.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/75154505/man-arrested-after-police-raid-on-dunedin-gang-pad

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Related Posts and Comments:
14.12.15 Epere arrested
13.10.15 Stuff: DCC to pay Epere $37 an hour
12.10.15 alfred e cull
11.10.15 DCC: Numpty – Cull – Epere
6.10.15 DCC suckered by Black Power leader
9.3.15 DCC patched: How NZ Herald sells our “story” #gangs
8.7.14 DCC: Mayor Cull and council staff consort with criminal gangs

█ Embarrassing for Dave Cull, Sue Bidrose, Rebecca Williams and all the uninformed Do-gooder councillors and staff at Dunedin City Council who wanted to throw ratepayers’ money at criminal gangs.

Douglas Field 16 Dec 2015 [click to enlarge]

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Epere arrested

Link received from Hamish McNeilly
14/12/2015 3:32 pm (GMT+12:00)

—

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 13:51 14/12/2015
Gang member on Dunedin City Council contract arrested for driving incident
By Hamish McNeilly
A gang member who secured a $52,000 contract with the Dunedin City Council has been arrested after an alleged driving incident. Police were called by concerned motorists following reports two southbound vehicles were passing on double yellow lines south of Palmerston, about 5pm on Sunday.
The vehicles – a 2008 black Holden Commodore Clubsport and a blue 2000 Holden Commodore Berlina, each containing two adults and three children – allegedly reached speeds up to 150kmh as they passed each other.
Officers pulled over the two vehicles near the Dunedin suburb of Pine Hill, and arrested the two male drivers, aged 49 and 50. […] One of the drivers involved was understood to be Albert Epere.
Read more

—

Related Posts and Comments:
13.10.15 Stuff: DCC to pay Epere $37 an hour
12.10.15 alfred e cull
11.10.15 DCC: Numpty – Cull – Epere
6.10.15 DCC suckered by Black Power leader
9.3.15 DCC patched: How NZ Herald sells our “story” #gangs
8.7.14 DCC: Mayor Cull and council staff consort with criminal gangs

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Stuff: DCC to pay Epere $37 an hour

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 11:41, October 13 2015
Gang member’s council contract: $37 an hour and no patches allowed
By Hamish McNeilly
A gang member will be paid $37 an hour and forbidden to wear gang regalia as part of a Dunedin City Council weed control contract. […] Black Power member Albert Epere would control weeds, litter and maintain paths at six Dunedin sites until June 30, 2016. A copy reveals the $52,000 plus GST contract was based on a 30-hour working week with a fee schedule of $37 an hour.
Read more

—

Related Posts and Comments:
12.10.15 alfred e cull
11.10.15 DCC: Numpty – Cull – Epere
6.10.15 DCC suckered by Black Power leader
9.3.15 DCC patched: How NZ Herald sells our “story” #gangs
8.7.14 DCC: Mayor Cull and council staff consort with criminal gangs

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: lantapix via 123rf.com – man with lawn mower

DCC: Numpty – Cull – Epere

Received from Douglas Field
Sun, 11 Oct 2015 at 10:34 a.m.

Pip’s comment. The sock puppet, Dave, with ‘friends’.
[click to enlarge]

—

Related Posts and Comments:
6.10.15 DCC suckered by Black Power leader
9.3.15 DCC patched: How NZ Herald sells our “story” #gangs
8.7.14 DCC: Mayor Cull and council staff consort with criminal gangs

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC suckered by Black Power leader

Photo (detail) by Ross Setford via 3news.co.nz

—

Received from Gavin Bartle
Tue, 6 Oct 2015 at 10:51 a.m.

On 6/10/15 10:20 am, “Gavin Bartle” wrote:

Dear elected representatives, [DCC]

Today I read with horror an ODT article that DCC is channeling ratepayer funds to an active senior member of an organised criminal group.

I’m not sure what kind of game you all think your playing, but is an absolutely unacceptable use of rates money.

This man, Albert Epere, is a current and active member of a vile violent group of thugs that prey on honest Dunedin citizens, he is in no way reformed or renounced his criminal associations.

This funding must be stopped and the contract terminated, the staff who allowed this must be instructed not to be so foolish again.

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/358318/gangster-secures-52500-contract

Thanks
Gavin Bartle

From: Lee Vandervis
Date: 6 October 2015 at 10:44
Subject: Re: rates money funnelled to organised crime
To: Gavin Bartle

Hi Gavin.

That I agree with you, is suggested by my request for information today as below.

Kind regards,
Lee

—— Forwarded Message
From: Lee Vandervis
Date: Tue, 06 Oct 2015 09:29:43 +1300
To: Sue Bidrose, Sandy Graham, Andrew Noone, Andrew Whiley, Chris Staynes, Doug Hall, Hilary Calvert, John Bezett, Jinty MacTavish, Kate Wilson, Lee Vandervis, Mayor Cull, Mike Lord, Neville Peat, Richard Thomson, David Benson-Pope, Aaron Hawkins
Conversation: Gangster’s DCC Contract – LGOIMA requests for information
Subject: Gangster’s DCC Contract – LGOIMA requests for information

Dear Sue, Sandy, and Mayor Cull,

Who made the actual decision to award a $52,500 DCC Contract to a gang leader outside of the contractual requirements specified in our DCC Procurement documents?
Will the gang leader Mr Albert Epere be contracted to do the work personally himself, or is he contractually free to ‘arrange’ others to do the actual Contract work?
Why did Councillors not get the opportunity to debate and decide on this clearly political departure from DCC Procurement process?
Have the Audit and Risk Subcommittee given their stamp of approval to this risky departure from best Contracting practice?
Please forward a copy of the full original contract awarded to Mr Epere.

Regarding Mongrel Mob and Black Power access to DCC contracts Mayor Cull is quoted by TV3 as saying “The work is on a trial basis and the gangs would have to “satisfy” the chief executive and show they were up to the job before being awarded a contract, Mr Cull says.”

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/mongrel-mob-and-black-power-bid-for-council-lawn-contracts-2015030913#ixzz3nj6k6e77

What has Mr Epere, leader of Black Power, done to satisfy our CEO that he is up to the job under the terms of our Procurement and Audit and Risk procedures?

Regards,
Cr. Vandervis

—— End of Forwarded Message

—

█ 6.10.15 ODT: Gang boss secures council contract
A Black Power kingpin with multiple prison stints behind him has won a $52,500 Dunedin City Council contract to maintain several areas of the city’s public land. […] The contract was signed yesterday and covers land in Opoho, St Leonards, Abbotsford, Logan Park, Caversham Bypass and Bridge St.

Albert Epere, a patched Black Power leader has served prison terms for assault and grievous bodily harm.

Rebecca Williams [DCC] said she did not know “anything about becoming a Black Power member” and confirmed the council had not looked into what it took to become a patched gang member as part of its due diligence for the contract.

Rebecca and Mad Hatter Cull with Black Power member. Douglas Field (6.10.15)

—

█ 8.5.12 ODT: Five sentenced over Dunedin gang clash
With Epere, Ryan and Witehira, the judge acknowledged they had all been out of serious trouble since about 2003 and Epere and Witehira were now involved in organisations putting something back into the community. And Ryan had moved away from Dunedin and was taking steps to sort out his life.

—

Related Posts and Comments:
9.3.15 DCC patched: How NZ Herald sells our “story” #gangs
8.7.14 DCC: Mayor Cull and council staff consort with criminal gangs

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC: LGOIMA requests for the last month

Received from Lee Vandervis
‎Tue‎, ‎21‎ ‎Jul‎ ‎2015 ‎at 8‎:‎24‎ ‎p.m.

[screenshot — click to enlarge]

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC patched: How NZ Herald sells our “story” #gangs

NZ Herald Online 9.3.15 [screenshot detail]

█ Read more at this earlier post with comments — DCC: Mayor Cull and council staff consort with criminal gangs

█ ODT/DCC bilge direct Link
Comments disallowed at ODT Online.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Bell Tea Building has a future!

█ Bell Tea Company – New Zealand’s No. 1 Tea Company http://www.belltea.co.nz/

The factory of New Zealand’s oldest tea company, founded in 1898 by Norman Harper Bell in Dunedin.

Dunedin’s Bell Tea building, on the corner of Hope and Carroll Sts, has been sold. Bayleys commercial, industrial and retail agent Robin Hyndman said there had been “good interest” in the building, more than 20 site visits and four tender offers lodged. (ODT)

### ODT Online Thu, 4 Sep 2014
Developer buys Bell Tea building
By Simon Hartley
Dunedin’s distinctive 90-year-old Bell Tea building has been sold to Dunedin developer Peter Gullen, who says it was a spur-of-the-moment purchase. Mr Gullen, known for building flats and townhouses around the city, was reluctant to go into plans for the building, but said he first “wanted to get it earthquake proof and save the building”.
Read more

ODT 3.7.14 Bell Tea building offered for sale
ODT 11.3.14 Bell Tea to close Dunedin factory

—

Post and images by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC: Mayor Cull and council staff consort with criminal gangs

Image: article.wn.com

First alert of Bro Cull’s mixing with criminal gangs: a joint submission by Notorious Mongrel Mob and Black Power to the DCC Draft Annual Plan 2014/15.

Supposedly this is a very cool thing to spend ratepayer money on: the rehabilitation of violent mobsters and thugs, or their drug-damaged lower ranks – they and their ‘equipment’ financed on the proceeds of serious crime.

Of course, this ‘news’ to law abiding citizens (the very few left at Dunedin) also brought a number of clots out of the trenches to say how freaking wonderful and ah, what a grand and sympathetic gesture it is, raining congratulations on Mr Go-between Cull for getting these guys Sorted ~!!!!

—

### ODT Online Fri, 9 May 2014
Dunedin gangs keen for work after burying hatchet
By Vaughan Elder
After burying the hatchet, the Notorious Mongrel Mob and Black Power are keen to take up a council contract and cut some of Dunedin’s grass. The once warring gangs gave a joint submission at yesterday’s annual plan hearings, asking councillors to consider giving them a contract to maintain some of the council’s green space. They also asked for access to City Forests to provide firewood for families who struggled to stay warm during the winter.
Read more

—

Are other community groups in need of manual work being similarly advantaged? Is this another mayoral spending gesture like the one affecting the clan of Taranaki.

Our dear Mr Cull — such generosity, as Dunedin City Council burns down around him, awash with its own plagues (plural) of multimillion-dollar fraud and corruption. All chargeable to the ratepayers.

Lord, have mercy, the gangs of ill repute – the violent assaulters, drug manufacturers and dealers, serial rapists, murderers and burnt out amongst them – are Dunedin ratepayers too. Enlightenment and Empathy are JUST CRAZY like their patches.

****

BUT THEN

“We are looking at perhaps having a [trial] under the economic development strategy.” –Rebecca Williams, DCC

### ODT Online Tue, 8 Jul 2014
DCC considering contracts for gangs
By Vaughan Elder
The Dunedin City Council is investigating giving council contracts to Notorious Mongrel Mob and Black Power.
This comes after the once warring gangs made national headlines when they gave a joint submission at annual plan hearings in May, asking councillors to consider giving them a contract to maintain some of the council’s green space. Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said since then council staff – as part of a wider review of procurement practices – had begun looking at ways council contracts could be awarded to smaller groups, such as the gangs. This would likely involve breaking up some council contracts into smaller packages, Mr Cull said.
Read more

The ratepayers of Dunedin City owe these clowns Nothing.

This correspondent puts it marvellously well at ODT Online:

Good initiative
Submitted by farsighted on Tue, 08/07/2014 – 8:19am.

This is no different than previous council contracts being awarded to Delta, for example.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

To DVML Board, from Ian Tayor [sic]

[scanned]

ODT 22.12.12 Open Letter p34

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### ODT Online Mon, 24 Dec 2012
Response to stadium letter ‘encouraging’
By John Gibb
Dunedin businessman Ian Taylor is heartened by the ”huge support” he has gained for his open letter to the Forsyth Barr Stadium’s board. In the open letter, published in Saturday’s Otago Daily Times, Mr Taylor said he had on ”numerous occasions” sought answers from the Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) board about the awarding of the stadium’s preferred supplier contract for audio services. He had since received dozens of supportive messages, and been directly approached by many people, in a ”really, really encouraging response”. Otago ratepayers had funded the stadium and it was expected ”local companies would be the first to benefit”. He was concerned the record of a company such as Strawberry Sound had been ignored and the contract awarded to an ”outside company” that did not exist before July, despite a requirement for Strawberry Sound to show it had operated for at least five years, the letter said. DVML chief executive Darren Burden said it was ”strange to say the least” Mr Taylor had complained about a ”deafening” silence from DVML.
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ODT 29.12.12 Letters to the editor p30

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Malcolm said the Stadium would be Dunedin’s future, providing lots of jobs

No Dunedin company should dare to think it’s immune from the need to be competitive, even with what’s on offer from ‘outside’, be it for good or bad – cosying is always a risk.

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### ODT Online Tue, 23 Oct 2012
Job fears as stadium contract goes out of town
By Chris Morris
Dunedin businessmen say jobs will be on the line after an audiovisual contract at Forsyth Barr Stadium was awarded to a recently formed, out-of-town company with links to a former Australian bankrupt.
It was confirmed last week DV Audio Visual Ltd had been signed as the preferred provider for audiovisual services inside the stadium. The decision by Dunedin Venues Management Ltd – which runs the stadium and other Dunedin venues – left the owners of Dunedin companies Strawberry Sound and Southern Lights and Services fuming last week. Both told the Otago Daily Times they were concerned the move could be replicated at other DVML-controlled venues, including the town hall, and lead to job losses for their employees.
Read more

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Related Post and Comments:
19.10.12 Weak boys, Cull and Burden on rugby stadium

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC Media Release – Contract let for Town Hall upgrade

DCC Media Release
Town Hall UpGrade – Contract Let, Work Due To Start

This item was published on 21 Jul 2010.

Jim Harland, DCC Chief Executive, has announced that the contract to upgrade the Dunedin Centre/Town Hall/ Municipal Chambers complex has been awarded to local company, Amalgamated Builders Limited (ABL).

There were three complying tenders – from ABL, Lund South and Naylor Love. ABL were awarded the contract at $35,660,000.

The contract is a fixed price contract and will include the re-development of the Glenroy Auditorium as an upgraded conference facility with associated break-out spaces in the Municipal Chambers building along with substantial functional and operational improvements, including fire egress, sprinklers and ventilation throughout the Dunedin Centre/Town Hall complex.

The upgrade also includes the installation of new data and theatre services.

Mr Harland said “This is good news for a local business and we are looking forward to working together with ABL on this important project. It’s vital that we have a contractor sympathetic to the needs of upgrading this complex in one of the city’s most important heritage precincts and our past experience of working with ABL gives us every confidence this will be the case. The upgrade is expected to meet the Council’s specific demands for the future use of the Town Hall, Dunedin Centre and Municipal Chambers for generations to come.”

Work is due to start in the next two weeks and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012 with the expectation of providing up to 150 jobs.

ABL has most recently been the lead contractor on the Chinese Garden and is currently engaged on the Regent Theatre re-development.

There were no tenders received from outside of Dunedin.

Contact DCC on 477 4000.

DCC Link

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Post by Elizabeth Kerr

Stadium tenders, turf + future of Carisbrook

### ODT Online Fri, 23 Apr 2010
Stadium tenders over budget
By David Loughrey
Tenders for carpentry at the Forsyth Barr Stadium have come back “significantly over budget”, a new report on the project says. Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry said last night that meant the trust would have to go back to the market to try to negotiate a more acceptable price, something he said had been done before, successfully, during the building process.
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The following reports will be discussed by the Dunedin City Council finance and strategy committee on Monday:

Report – FSC – 26/04/2010 (PDF, 1.0 mb, new window)
Stadium Stakeholders Group Report

Report – FSC – 26/10/2010 (PDF, 65.2 kb, new window)
Future of Carisbrook

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### ODT Online Fri, 23 Apr 2010
Public say on Carisbrook
By David Loughrey
A thorough consultation process will soon begin on the future of Carisbrook, and the Dunedin City Council is looking to the public for “reasonably practicable” options for its future. The high level of public interest in the historic ground means public meetings will be held to help decide the matter, but a report to next Monday’s finance and strategy committee meeting said the council was keen to “avoid devoting a lot of time, energy and expense to the consideration of impractical, expensive or frivolous options”.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

SH88 realignment past stadium

### ODT Online Wed, 2 Sep 2009
Design for tender
By Mark Price
The Dunedin City Council hopes to have “engaged” the designers for the new $15.85 million stretch of State Highway 88 past Forsyth Barr Stadium within the next three or four weeks.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Looming big projects

### ODT Online Wed, 8 Jul 2009
Projects a boost for city firms
By Chris Morris
Amalgamated Builders Ltd (ABL) and Lund South staff in Dunedin made a combined bid to secure the subcontract for concrete work associated with the Forsyth Barr Stadium’s two main stands. The $8 million contract will provide work for up to 50 of their employees at the site.
Looming big projects in or near Dunedin include the Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Regent Theatre upgrade, the Dunedin Town Hall redevelopment, the next stage of the Otago Settlers Museum upgrade, the building of the Bunnings Warehouse and major changes to the Otago Corrections Facility at Milburn.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Contractors: Councils must provide level playing field

### ODT Online Thu, 14 May 2009
Fair chance to tender vital
Opinion | Stadium
By Jeremy Sole

In the wake of the contract signed by the Dunedin City Council with Hawkins Construction to build the Awatea St stadium, Jeremy Sole canvasses some of the major issues relating to council procurement strategies.
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ODT credits Jeremy Sole as the chief executive of the New Zealand Contractors Federation.

The New Zealand Contractors Federation argues for a fair and open approach to procurement, giving all skilled small and medium enterprises equal opportunities to secure work and grow.