Tag Archives: University of Otago

SH1 Cycleways : the real story

Received from Hilary Calvert
Wed, 22 Feb 2017 12:40 p.m.

[begins]

NZTA has produced a Q and A sheet for their project news update on our cycle lanes along the one-way streets.

An annotated version is provided for reality junkies:

Q: Why is there a need for separated cycleways on the one-way system?

NZTA: Cyclists and pedestrians are over represented in fatal and serious injury crashes. There have been 2 fatalities since 2011. Short-term safety measure were put into place in 2013. Separated cycle lanes are the long-term solution.

Reality: There have been no deaths since the cycle lanes were widened in 2013. The two deaths since 2011 were likely contributed to by the very act of creating cycle lanes in the blind spot of vehicles. Had these cyclists been on the road they would have been safer.

Q: Where else in the country are they using these?

NZTA: These lanes are becoming familiar in major cities including Christchurch. Busy urban routes such as the one-way streets in Dunedin need higher standards of cycle lanes.

Reality: No one in their right mind would direct cyclists to State Highway 1, where all the trucks go. If these two parallel roads were returned to two-way streets, you might put trucks on one and bikes on the other. But this is mad.

Q: Why put the cycleways on the right rather than the left?

NZTA: Because it increases cycle safety and separates them from bus stops.

Reality: Bingo! NZTA has finally realised delivering cyclists to the blind side of trucks is very dangerous. But it was NZTA who chose to do that last time. A simple sorry would be a start.

Q: why not on the right-hand side from Duke St to Otago Museum then?

NZTA: This has been done in response to feedback received and supported by further cycle surveys. And there is a large number of cyclists who use this route who would have to cross the road.

Reality: Really? So feedback overcomes safety? Surely this brings into question whether they really understand the safety issues with the left-hand side. WE all know that cyclists are no different from the rest of us, they will take their bikes on the shortest route they can find. Which will mean that they are spending most of their time not on the new cycle lane. Actually, most of their time will be spent walking around campus because the University won’t let cyclists inside – safety issues, apparently.

Q: What impact will this have on parking?

NZTA: Keeping the cycle lanes on the unsafe side of the road will mean we lose 20 fewer parks. Parking will be provided in high demand areas. (see revised plans).

Reality: We will lose hundreds of parks, particularly in the highest parking areas around the hospital (made worse by the DCC proposal to build on the car parking area at Frederick St). Parking is already squeezed in high demand areas. These guys are in la la land, and I don’t mean the award winning movie.

Q: Will these cycle lanes disrupt traffic flows?

NZTA: The lanes are likely to smooth traffic flows and provide more reliable travel times because there will be fewer parking movements.

Reality: Yes more reliably longer times, which are likely to double for anyone using the one-way streets. More phases for cyclists and pedestrians, more traffic trying to find parks, more time needed to get to hospital appointments. It wasn’t that broke. Why are those from out of town so determined to get in the way of traffic in Dunedin?

Q: How many cyclists are likely to use the cycle lanes?

NZTA: Current usage peaks at 500 per day, but this could easily double. We will measure the change.

Reality: Weasel words. Try looking north from Lower Stuart St along the one-way street. There will be several vehicles on the cycle lanes and likely not even 1 cyclist. The reality is that we are likely to have fewer than 1 cyclist per kilometre of cycleway in Dunedin at any one time. The maximum of 500 is not relevant to the usage in general. (And indeed 500 per day is 500 over 1440 minutes, about one every 3 minutes. At the absolute peak. For a moment in time. So it may double to 1 cyclist at the absolute maximum every 1.5 minutes.) And having measured it later, we are still stuck with the cycle lanes even if they don’t create double the usage. Meanwhile there is no proposed monitoring of the time wasted on getting to hospital appointments, or the time spent by students walking further from free car parking to lectures, or any other flow-on effects of decreased parking where it is currently available.

Q: When is work likely to start?

NZTA: May 2017, taking around 15 months and in such a way as to ensure the one-way system is able to operate effectively and any disruption is kept to a minimum.

Reality: These streets are groaning at the seams already. Our entire one-way system will become impossible to operate usefully, and it will take double the time. By this time those who came to Dunedin because the traffic wasn’t so bad will have the start of every working day diminished and their Dunedin experience effectively destroyed around the central city. We have an elderly population, and this will be the last three years of the lives of some of us.

Q: Who pays and what will it cost?

NZTA: NZTA will pay for the work directly related to the cycle lanes. $8million.

Reality: More weasel words. There are large costs not included in the direct costs. Agencies are keen on doing guestimates of the multiplier effect of benefits to the city for, say, acts at the stadium. What about a study of the likely costs to the city of loss of parking revenue, loss of time spent driving around, loss of time spent walking from vehicles, anxiety around hospital appointments, loss of business for those relying on easy car access for their custom etc. There are also costs for the work connecting roads and footpaths etc between the cycleways and the rest of our DCC infrastructure, and the inevitable landscaping in the vicinity. And then the costs of fixing what we had to redo because none of the agencies are working together. An expensive nightmare.

Q: What is being done to provide more integrated transport in Dunedin?

NZTA: NZTA, DCC and ORC are implementing transport related projects: this is one. These cycle lanes will connect with cycling lanes being considered in North Dunedin linking University, Hospital, Otago Polytechnic and the CBD.

Reality: These institutions are already handy to each other. As regards the University the biggest obstacle to cycling is the size of the campus which cannot be crossed by cyclists.

****

Pity NZTA doesn’t have a booth in the heart of Dunedin where they could come and sit and listen to the issues. Perhaps on the corner of Stuart St and the one-way streets?

[ends]

NZTA Dunedin Urban Cycleways Programme
Cycling in Dunedin contributes to improving transport options, providing a more efficient and integrated transport network, improving health, economic and social outcomes and city liveability. The Urban Cycleways Fund, subject to council approval, will help to accelerate the City to Harbour Bridge and the Central City and North East Valley cycle network.

NZTA Urban Cycleways Programme [general information]

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

█ GREEN ATTACK ON YOUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT

leisure-cyclist-on-beach-road-cycleway-auckland-nzta-govt-nz-1two-way-separated-cycleway-beach-road-auckland-nzta-govt-nzTwo-way separated cycleway on Beach Road, Auckland [nzta.govt.nz]

15 Comments

Filed under Business, Construction, Cycle network, DCC, Democracy, Design, District Plan, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Finance, Geography, Health, Hot air, Infrastructure, Name, New Zealand, NZTA, People, Pet projects, Politics, Project management, Property, Proposed 2GP, Public interest, Resource management, Sport, Tourism, Town planning, Transportation, Travesty, University of Otago, Urban design, What stadium

SDHB/Govt : Physio Pool GRIEF

Girl in water with dumbbels140 Hanover St [rankedbyreview.co.nz]

Pool upgrade supposed to happen a year ago this month.

### ODT Online Mon, 23 Jan 2017
Grant lost as physio pool work stalls
By Eileen Goodwin
A $120,000 grant has been pulled from the Dunedin physiotherapy pool upgrade because no-one yet knows when — or even if — it will happen. And the Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust has confirmed a second grant, of $100,000, is subject to an extension review and a decision is awaited.
Pool trust secretary-treasurer Neville Martin […] hopes to know more by June, when the Ministry of Health is expected to release a shortlist of site options for the $300 million Dunedin Hospital rebuild.
Read more

“To avoid closure of the pool by the Southern District Health Board, the trust has been required to cover all operating costs since the beginning of 2015.” –Neville Martin

Related Posts and Comments:
2.10.16 WHO says ‘heritage rules are too restrictive’ —What’s their agenda in the Heritage City
21.8.14 Dirty pool? #SDHB #University
6.8.14 Otago Therapeutic Pool at Dunedin Hospital

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Leave a comment

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, DCHL, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Finance, Health, Heritage, Infrastructure, Inspiration, Media, Name, New Zealand, OAG, Ombudsman, People, Politics, Pools, Project management, Property, Public interest, Resource management, SDHB, Site, Sport, Travesty, University of Otago, What stadium

Stay positive Dunedin #awash

tqofe-stay-positive-dunedin-23-9-16-1TQoFE 23.9.16

****

Cull climbs into alcohol issue to advance his mayoral election campaign (?) – yet specifically states he won’t campaign on the matter of the new Dunedin hospital and retention of health services for Dunedin’s wellbeing.

Drink to that, Dave! *clink

### ODT Online Sat, 24 Sep 2016
Alcohol policy appealed
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council faces a potentially protracted legal battle as New Zealand’s supermarket giants join forces to fight the city’s local alcohol policy. Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs are among eight parties — including the  New Zealand Police — to appeal the DCC’s provisional local alcohol policy. The appeals  mean the council’s policy  remains in limbo and changes to curb alcohol-related harm are stalled, more than a year after the initiatives were signed off by councillors.
Read more

Related Post and Comments:
29.4.16 Otago students at Pitt St: No longer drunk possums in trees
7.3.16 Balcony Collapse at Six60 concert, 598 Castle Street, Dunedin
3.11.15 Dunedin: University students into excess alcohol, party drugs… #CRIME
15.7.15 Business owner forcibly removed from Dunedin Central police station
● 11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap)…
30.4.14 Octagon mud

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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

9 Comments

Filed under Business, DCC, Democracy, District Plan, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Events, Finance, Geography, Health, Heritage, Hotel, Housing, Media, People, Perversion, Politics, Property, Proposed 2GP, Public interest, Tourism, Town planning, Transportation, Travesty, University of Otago, Urban design, What stadium

U o O please explain!

The University of Auckland was ranked in the top 151-200 universities, an improvement on 2015 when the institution was ranked in the top 201-300.

### ODT Online Thu, 25 Aug 2016
Otago drops in academic ranking
By Margot Taylor
The University of Otago has dropped in an annual list of the world’s top universities. The university was ranked in the 300-401 band of the top 500 universities in the world in Shanghai Ranking Consultancy’s Academic Ranking of World Universities 2016, the first time in eight years it has not been in the top 200-301. […] Otago University was the only New Zealand institution to drop in the list since it was last ranked.
Read more

University of Otago Capping Sextet, 2015 - John Key Tugs [youtube.com]University of Otago Capping Sextet, 2015 [youtube.com]

█ For more, enter the terms *u o o*, *university*, *harlene* or *student* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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

*Image:

9 Comments

Filed under Business, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Finance, Geography, Heritage, Infrastructure, Media, Name, New Zealand, Public interest, Site, University of Otago, What stadium

Misero-mercenary at U of O

misero mercenary

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.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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

12 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Education, Finance, Infrastructure, Name, New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic, People, Pet projects, Politics, Project management, Property, Public interest, Resource management, Site, Town planning, University of Otago, Urban design, What stadium

Otago students at Pitt St: No longer drunk possums in trees

Last night I heard (muted) sirens about, nothing more – not realising what was happening a few houses away up Pitt St. My place is tucked in off the road, nothing seemed out of the usual for a Thursday night, ‘student party night’ —just typical city noise that often includes sirens and choppers. Reading through a consent file for 97 Filleul St collected from DCC that afternoon, I was absorbed, completely missing the street action…. On waking this morning, I opened the first message on my phone, from a journalist asking if I’d heard the party on Pitt St last night? Hmm

Google Street View -18 Pitt Street, Dunedin Nov2009 (1)18 Pitt Street, Dunedin [Google Street View Nov 2009] tweaked

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 12:50, April 29 2016
Dunedin student seriously injured after jumping from roof
By Laura Walters and Hamish McNeilly
A Dunedin student in hospital with life-threatening injuries jumped from a roof just minutes after party-goers were told to turn their music down by noise control officers. Dunedin District Command Centre Senior Sergeant Brian Benn said police were called to the house on Pitt St about 11.30pm on Thursday. “A drunken student tried to jump off a roof. That didn’t end too well for him.” Benn said no one at the party saw the 21-year-old land after jumping from the roof, but when partygoers went to find out what happened they found him with “reasonably serious injuries”. Neighbours said the flat had been quiet during 2016 until Thursday night’s party. “It was a terrible racket,” one neighbour said. St John ambulance spokesman Andy Gray said the student’s condition was updated from serious to critical due to his “life threatening injuries”. He was taken to Dunedin Hospital but the large party continued.
Read more

Fri, 29 Apr 2016
ODT: Student ‘critical’ after jump off roof
A student is fighting for his life after jumping off the roof of a two-storey house at a large Dunedin flat party last night. Senior Sergeant Brian Benn, of Dunedin, said the 21-year-old was seriously injured after “an aerial stunt” at the Pitt St party went wrong.

Not for the first time.
Last year, it began with the male students at 53 Royal Tce….

Comment by Elizabeth
2016/04/07 at 2:38 am
An associate caught sight of a particularly juvenile and UNSAFE act that occurred next door [at 53]….
The scene.
Two storeyed house with dormer windows in the City Rise, tenanted by university 3rd or 4th year male students.
Constant noise and behavioural issues…. well-known to Noise Control, Campus Watch and Proctor [Police attention very much the next step – these young idiots have been told].

One of them had earlier broken his leg. Following recovery and some time later…. his so-called ‘friends’ egged him on to jump from a dormer roof (at second floor level) into a shallow paddling pool at ground level. He had to think about it for quite a while…. obviously he was facing serious injury or worse if he got it wrong, given the building height and shallowness of the water. Being a mental statistic he jumped – by luck not good management he did not need an ambulance.

What was that about safety nets – let the morons kill themselves, one less noise complaint.

red_cross_joshua_dwire_03.svg 2 - falling dude [creativebloq.com] whatifdunedin overlay

Recent student idiocy:
● 53 Royal Tce – Dunedin [no injury, not recorded] Late 2015
● 598 Castle St – Dunedin [multiple crowd injuries] 4 Mar 2016 Link
● 124 Dundas St – Dunedin [serious head injury] 12 Mar 2016 Link
● 18 Pitt St – Dunedin 2016 [critical injury] 28 Apr 2016

Related Post and Comments:
7.3.16 Balcony Collapse at Six60 concert, 598 Castle Street, Dunedin

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: red_cross_joshua_dwire_03.svg 2 | creativebloq.com – falling dude
[whatifdunedin overlay]

7 Comments

Filed under Baloney, Dunedin, Events, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Police, Property, Public interest, Site, Travesty, University of Otago

Professor Robert “Bob” Carter RIP

Robert Merlin “Bob” Carter (9 March 1942 – 19 January 2016) was an English palaeontologist, stratigrapher and marine geologist who is perhaps best known as a prominent Australian climate change skeptic. He was professor and head of the School of Earth Sciences at James Cook University from 1981 to 1998.

Gurglars emailed me on Sunday about the Obituary:

ODT 5.3.16 (page 32)

ODT 5.3.16 Obituary Robert Carter p32[click to enlarge]

Then I heard from Mick (Douglas Field) on Monday:

You will have read the obituary (ODT Saturday) to Bob Carter who died in January this year. As you know he was a prominent sceptic re climate science and was more or less bannished from James Cook University in Queenslamd. You wll also know of his strong connection to the University of Otago.
Chris Monckton (The Viscount Monckton of Brenchley) has written a rather charming piece of music that he has called Bob Carter’s Peal. It was originally written for piano but it has been modified by the clever people at Edinburgh University (Chris lives in Edinburgh) who made a version with the sound of the bells of Ghent Cathedral.

Go to: http://wattsupwiththat.com/2016/02/27/ghent-cathedral-bells-ring-out-bob-carters-peal/ Article + Audio

[excerpt]
“Professor Robert Carter of James Cook University, who died in January 2016, has been immortalised in a clock-tune written by one of his friends in the manner of a Turmuhrglockenspielsonatine by the Baroque German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. This poignant but merry tune has been described as “the loveliest bell-tune ever written”. Traditionally, the Classical composers wrote clock-tunes to commemorate the weddings or funerals of their friends.

Professor Robert Carter, a geologist, became internationally famous in the last two decades of his life because he was one of the very few scientists who had the courage publicly to question some of the more extreme claims made by advocates of the apocalyptic theory of global warming. As the reported rate of global warming (even after much ever-upward adjustment of the linear-regression trends on all of the principal global-temperature datasets) continues to be very considerably below the rates that had been predicted, his polite but incisive questioning of what has become a substitute for true religion in the academic world will one day be seen to have been prescient.
Bob Carter was personally distressed by the extent to which the academic world had abandoned the scientific method in the rent-seeking pursuit of ever-larger grants from governments panicked or profiting by the climate scare. His university, which makes much money out of global warming by this questionable method, felt threatened by its leading professor’s heresy. Shoddily, the vice-chancellor, to his eternal shame and to that of his university, presided over the abandonment of all pretense at academic freedom: the university took various frankly malicious steps to Bob Carter’s detriment, the last of which was the withdrawal of his right as an emeritus professor to continue to use the library of the university that he had served so long and so well.
He was deeply distressed not so much by his university’s mistreatment of him in the closing years of his long and distinguished life as by its totalitarian rejection of the essential and formerly sacrosanct principle of academic freedom to dissent from profitable orthodoxy. Despite the university’s petty-minded and self-serving misconduct, he remained cheerfully and determinedly active to the last, attending the UN climate summit in Paris in December 2015.”

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

2 Comments

Filed under Climate change, Coolness, Democracy, Inspiration, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Politics, University of Otago

Balcony Collapse at Six60 concert, 598 Castle Street, Dunedin

Tweet:

Tweet from Rhys Chamberlain (@NZChambo} at 6.32 PM - 4 Mar 2015

Paul Henry
Monday 7 Mar 2016 8:02 a.m. (via newshub.co.nz)
Key: More police wouldn’t have prevented balcony collapse Updated

Paul Henry
Monday 7 Mar 2016 12:42 p.m. (via newshub.co.nz)
Police should have been given more notice of Six60 concert – O’Connor

Six60 outside Castle Street flat that inspired their name Photo Instagram - Six60 (via RNZ News]Six60 outside Castle Street flat that inspired their name. Photo: Instagram/Six60 (via RNZ News)

its SLiK Published on Mar 4, 2016
Balcony collapses near Six60 gig

Otago Daily Times Published on Mar 4, 2016
Balcony collapse on Dunedin’s Castle Street

### radionz.co.nz Updated at 11:33 am today
RNZ News
No criminal inquiry into balcony collapse
The police have decided against opening a criminal investigation into a balcony collapse at a concert in Dunedin. […] A young woman studying at Otago University has been transferred to Christchurch Hospital, with what have been reported as spinal injuries. A young male student from Otago Polytechnic has undergone surgery at Dunedin Hospital. […] While police did not intend to investigate further from a criminal point of view, they would work with the reviews being carried out by Worksafe New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Action was urgently needed to ensure people’s safety and preserve the reputations of the city and Otago University, [Mayor Cull] said.

Other events during this year’s orientation week, such as couch burning and concern about verbal abuse, including a rape threat and racial slurs, have prompted students themselves to call for action.

[Mayor Cull:] The council had no power to control the event at which the balcony collapsed as it was held on private property, and that might need to change. […]

Balcony ‘met building standards’
Mr Cull said the council’s chief building inspector had examined the balcony yesterday, and said it met the requirements of the building code. “I welcome the [Department of Building and Housing’s] further investigation to make it absolutely clear what caused it.” He said whether the partygoers were jumping up and down on the balcony was not the issue; it was that hundreds of people turned up to an event that would not normally be held in a domestic venue. “It’s just not acceptable to expect those kind of situations to not present more risk than if it’s professionally organised.”
Read more

### radionz.co.nz Updated at 8:00 am today
New footage of balcony collapse concert
By Ian Telfer – Dunedin
High-tech footage of a balcony collapse at a student concert has revealed no-one was jumping on it when it fell.
Read more + Photos

HARLENE KNOWS NOT HOW TO RULE [23 February 2012]
RNZ: University vice-chancellor seeking to halt wild parties

Listen to Ian Telfer on Morning Report

Listen to the interview with Dave Cull on Morning Report

****

Stuff.co.nz stories:

● 7.3.16 Performer warned people to ‘get off the balcony’…
● 6.3.16 Harrowing injuries after balcony collapse…
● 6.3.16 Dunedin balcony collapse – Government orders investigation
● 5.3.16 Balcony collapse: Concerns raised about stability…
● 5.3.16 Balcony collapses at Six60 gig…

Comment at What if? Dunedin:

Anonymous 2016/03/06 at 11:05 pm
Dealing with some issues here:

– on the claim that “the concert was impromptu” – it was “announced” via social media on Monday and the University was aware prior (Campus Watch were detailed). Animation Research Ltd had a 360 degree motion camera rig in operation (and captured footage of the collapse). A stage was erected and sound gear installed. This is not impromptu.

– an “impromptu” event would still need to be notified
see here: http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/Frefor/pdf/event-safety-guidelines-osh-200104.pdfhttp://www.waitakere.govt.nz/Frefor/pdf/event-safety-guidelines-osh-200104.pdf
“Any planned activity where any structure, open area, roadway or other area will contain more people than normally found in that location at one time.”

– the venue was unsafe. Egress, crush barriers and evacuation were inadequate (a van was parked across the leg-in blocking access) as the band were performing (and ARL were working, and news media were reporting), this meets the definition of a “workplace” and both HSA and Worksafe legislation apply.

The event organizer has strict liability here. Those suggesting that the balcony collapse was the fault of those on it and that they should take “personal responsibility” are unfortunately misguided. It is up to the event organizer and those assessing the management plan to identify and control these risks. This was clearly inadequate in this case.

I would not want to be standing anywhere near the event organizers once the detailed investigation starts.

Related Post and Comments:
3.11.15 Dunedin: University students into excess alcohol, party drugs, sexual abuse, vandalism #CRIME —Balcony collapse discussed from comment 71132

█ For more, enter the terms *students*, *university*, *harlene* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

37 Comments

Filed under Business, Concerts, Construction, DCC, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Events, Media, Name, New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic, People, Police, Politics, Project management, Property, Site, Structural engineering, Tourism, Town planning, Travesty, University of Otago, Urban design

Uglies: Black-tie at 715 George

Habitable rooms, 715 George St cnr Regent Rd blot 1715 George St, corner Regent Rd, Dunedin

█ Clan Construction Commercial Ltd
http://www.companies.govt.nz/co/4013678

### ODT Online Thu, 10 Dec 2015
Student apartments going up
Construction has begun on six new student apartments at the corner of George St and Regent Rd, Dunedin. The 962sq m triangular-shaped site is owned by Straits International Ltd, and was the site of a service station for about 80 years. The Dunedin City Council has given resource consent for the company to construct four residential units in a two-storey building (block 1) and two residential units in a three-storey building (block 2), thereby creating 22 habitable rooms. Construction is expected to be completed next year.
ODT Link

Comments at ODT Online:

Student apartments
Submitted by Barnaby on Thu, 10/12/2015 – 6:35pm.

No! This was not a service station site for 80 years. There was a beautiful two-storey substantial brick heritage house on this site until about the 1970s. This is just another step in the incremental loss of North End heritage. This shows very poor planning from DCC, making this part of town, and the main street in this case, an ever expanding precinct of badly designed cheaply built high density housing. These will add to the stock of other similar structures forming “North Dunedin’s slums of the future”. Ratepayers’ will probably end up funding the future purchase of such cheap accomodation to mitigate associated social problems and the appalling visual amenity. Very poor city planning indeed.

Habitable room disasters
Submitted by ej kerr on Fri, 11/12/2015 – 12:43pm.

Prominent George St corner sites are being trashed by the banal. More habitable rooms – No emphasis on good contemporary design, no flair.
This one’s built right to the footpath on the main street, with little modulation and no hint of garden or vertical planting possible, except something to the corner part-screened by the witless bus shelter shoved on its concrete pad.
Given the rich inheritance, where has Dunedin street architecture gone? Where are the design professions? Why so much visual erosion? Where is the NZ Institute of Architects? Why no City Architect Office and independent Urban Design Panel to uphold design values for Dunedin residents and ratepayers?
Ugh! DCC planning fail. DCC urban design fail. DCC district plan fail. When will DCC grow up – to promote sympathetic edgy contemporary architecture and design for major city axials, at the very least. A step up from turning Dunedin into bog city with tawdry gateway approaches.

Related Posts and Comments:
[distasteful]
6.1.14 George Street: Two new uglies (thanks DCC, no City Architect…)

[sensitive]
9.1.14 Facadism: 3%, 10%, 50%, 75%, 99.9% (how much is enough) | University of Otago warps Castle Street

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: misted lettered tweaked by whatifdunedin

3 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, DCC, Design, District Plan, Dunedin, Economics, Heritage, Hot air, Infrastructure, Media, Name, New Zealand, NZIA, ORFU, People, Politics, Project management, Property, Resource management, Site, Town planning, Transportation, University of Otago, Urban design, What stadium

Dunedin: University students into excess alcohol, party drugs, sexual abuse, vandalism #CRIME

SEND IN YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS ???

Received from Jeff Dickie
Tue, 3 Nov 2015 at 2:16 p.m.

Subject: Singapore letter declined by ODT

On Sunday, 1 November 2015 1:22 PM, Jeff Dickie wrote:

Your newspaper’s images of couch burning and civil disorder become quite focused when viewed from a distance. It is absolutely clear none of the parties that showed a flurry of interest earlier in the year, when poor behaviour was exposed on national media, have any wish to solve it. There followed a cynical exercise in public relations damage control rather than any real effort to solve the problem behaviour of a very small minority. It begs the question why? The university clearly tacitly supports the party image to get bums on seats. The DCC doesn’t know what to do. As a regular visitor to Singapore where alcohol is available 24/7, I have never once seen any such behaviour. The solution is obvious.

JEFF DICKIE
ORCHARD ROAD
SINGAPORE

Woodhaugh
Dunedin

All Black win – any excuse
Video stills via Stuff.co.nz (published 1.11.15)

Student fire at Castle Street 31.10.15 Student fire at Castle Street 31.10.15 Stuff: Dunedin students celebrate Rugby World Cup win by torching couches

Related Post and Comments:
● 1.11.15 University of Otago student mayhem continues, another LOSS for Harls
7.10.15 University blues, connected ?
18.8.15 Dunedin authorities blame SUNSHINE #tui
● 26.6.15 University of Otago flyover #partyville
30.5.15 ‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions, real story….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
9.1.14 Facadism: … University of Otago warps Castle Street
19.8.13 Cull on senility (firing up graduates)
24.7.13 University: Leith flood protection scheme and landscaping
31.5.13 University of Otago development plans
25.3.13 UoO: NEGATIVE PRESS: Weekly disorder in Dunedin campus area
20.2.12 University of Otago student orientation
17.2.12 Salvation Army: The Growing Divide
17.12.11 Stadium + Cull love = University of Otago + OUSA party
23.11.11 Judge Oke Blaikie finally said it
9.11.11 DCC has PR problem

LadyGagaVEVO Published on Sep 17, 2015
Lady Gaga – Til It Happens To You
A portion of proceeds from the sale of the song will be donated to organizations helping survivors of sexual assault.
“Til It Happens To You” written by Diane Warren and Lady Gaga; performed by Lady Gaga, from the film THE HUNTING GROUND.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

85 Comments

Filed under Business, DCC, Democracy, Design, Dunedin, Economics, Events, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Police, Politics, Project management, Property, Site, Sport, Tourism, Town planning, University of Otago, Urban design, What stadium

University of Otago student mayhem continues, another LOSS for Harls

Star reporter David Beck notes feral practices and bully-tactics.

### ODT Online Sun, 1 Nov 2015
Students undergo hazing rituals for flats
By David Beck – The Star
Dunedin tertiary students who have secured flats in popular areas such as Castle St and Hyde St are being put through hazing rituals by tenants leaving the flats. Flat initiations are particularly common for students securing a flat for their second year of study and generally involve excessive amounts of alcohol.
Read more

█ Students needing support and advice in this area can contact Student Health, Campus Watch and staff at the university colleges.

****

### ODT Online Sun, 1 Nov 2015
Red cards a booze-fuelled tradition
By David Beck – The Star
The scarfie tradition of red cards is all about doing something new and having a good time, a university graduate says. Each person in a flat is allowed to pull one red card during the year. On the day they decide to use it, the rest of the flat has to participate in whatever alcohol-fuelled activity the holder has decided on.
Read more

****

### ODT Online Sun, 1 Nov 2015
Police out in numbers in student area
Police have turned out in numbers in the student area of Dunedin this morning after a disruptive night combining Halloween and Rugby World Cup final celebrations.
Read more

The Best Doll wallpaper for Samsung smartphone [samsunghdwallpaper.com]One practice David Beck has missed (see various
student-authored social media reports) is sexual predation visited on young women by feral young men, read Students —recently brought to the attention of What if? Dunedin.

(Frankly, practically) None of this is helped by ultra short skirts and visible G-strings worn by ‘accessible’ young women, to Dunedin night venues and popup parties. YES that is a non-PC statement but hey.

It’s hard to report sexual assault if you’ve been surrounded (while you’re drunk or drugged, or not) on the dance floor by young men exercising pack instinct and intent. The case of whose finger was it anyway. YES, this in Your Swill Town.

The University, Police and Council authorities wouldn’t have a clue about what/who/how to manage the manifold risks posed to vulnerable young people studying at Dunedin —outstanding ignorance, blindness and naïveté pertain within the Establishment, whose business (MARKETING) it has been to play down the more unsavoury aspects of Student party life here.

The University of Otago and NZ Police FAIL to monitor, DO NOT investigate, and DO NOT offer strong guidance on Student use of social media at Dunedin. These ‘encounters’ make the recent Roast Busters case at Auckland seem trivial if not ephemeral. The ‘Stewards of Dunedin’ reside in the Dark Ages, a place not enlightened by smartphone use for good or bad. There is BAD. Despite the law change based on the outcome of the Roast Busters investigation, sadistic criminal behaviours at Dunedin go unpoliced. And unreported to Police.

Keep partying why not. Sell more drinks, more party drugs?
No-one wants to talk about it. Jolly the young sweet things along.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: samsunghdwallpaper.com – The Best Doll wallpaper for Samsung smartphone

30 Comments

Filed under Business, DCC, Dunedin, Economics, Enterprise Dunedin, Events, Media, New Zealand, People, Police, Politics, University of Otago, What stadium

University blues, connected ?

Updated Post
Wed, 7 Oct 2015 at 11.17 p.m.

“If you’re in Dunedin, I wouldn’t recommend coming to Otago University on Wednesday” —the online threat now deleted from bulletin board 4chan.

### ODT Online Wed, 7 Oct 2015
Warning to stay alert after uni threat
By Carla Green
Dunedin police are continuing their investigation into an online shooting threat made against the University of Otago. […] Acting Area Commander Inspector Mel Aitken said police would maintain a visible presence in the university area, and a number of contingencies would remain in place. People on the university grounds should remain vigilant and alert, she said, and any suspicious activity should be reported.
Read more

OUSA would be posting the messages on its Facebook page, and the university would also be communicating via social media and the student email network.

[this morning]
### ODT Online Wed, 7 Oct 2015
Students on edge after Uni shooting threat
By Carla Green
Several University of Otago eateries will not open today and the central library computer lab is largely empty as the campus responds to a shooting threat made online. Several students spoke of being on edge on campus this morning after the threat was posted by an anonymous social media user on bulletin board 4chan just before midnight on Monday.
Read more

[yesterday]
### ODT Online Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Shooting threat at Otago University
By Timothy Brown
Specialist police are investigating an online threat to carry out a shooting at University of Otago in Dunedin tomorrow and have moved to reassure the public, saying “appropriate measures” are being taken. Acting Otago coastal area commander Inspector Mel Aitken confirmed late this afternoon that staff from the High Tech Crime Group in Wellington are investigating the anonymous threat.
Read more

****

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 13:08, October 7 2015
Wellington’s Victoria University is being evacuated over bomb scare
By Talia Shadwell
Part of Victoria University in Wellington are being evacuated after a note was found claiming three bombs would explode on campus by lunchtime. Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford said a staff member had found the note about 9.30am by the lifts in the Murphy building on the Kelburn campus. It stated that three bombs were hidden somewhere on campus and would go off by midday. The note was short and offered no explanation or motive for the bombing, he said.
Read more

****

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 16:51, October 7 2015
Massey University evacuated after threatening note
By Kelsey Wilkie
Massey University has become the third university to receive a threatening message. The campus has evacuated its registry building in Palmerston North after it received a threatening note aimed at staff on Wednesday afternoon. “We have received a note threatening the staff in our Contact Centre on our Manawatu campus and have evacuated everyone from our Registry Building as a precaution,” Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey said. “We are aware there have been threats made against Otago University and Victoria University over the past two days. So far those threats have come to nothing but, at this stage, keeping our students safe is our key priority,” Maharey said.
Read more

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

14 Comments

Filed under Democracy, Events, Media, New Zealand, People, Police, Property, Site, University of Otago

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:

Barry MacKay - Director Property Services Division, University of Otago“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.

█ 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

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]

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

2 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, Design, Hot air, Name, New Zealand, People, Politics, Project management, Property, Site, University of Otago

Dunedin Law Courts | ODT editorial

Dunedin Law Courts IMG_0193 a2 EJ Kerr 13.5.15

The Dunedin courthouse is one of the city’s finest historic buildings, and part of a heritage cluster impossible to match anywhere in this country.

We await an “unequivocal commitment” from the Government to return court services to their Dunedin home.

### ODT Online Tue, 22 Sep 2015
Editorial: ‘Nonsense’ courthouse costs
OPINION Really? Would earthquake strengthening of Dunedin’s courthouse really cost more than $15million as officials claim? Or is this another example where supposed post-earthquake costs are used as an excuse? Or can the Government simply not design and commission building work for reasonable prices? There is probably a bit of both.
Read more

Dunedin structural engineer Stephen Macknight called the Government’s $15million strengthening figure “absolutely ridiculous”.

Director of Dunedin construction company Lund South, Russell Lund, said his experience suggested the $15million figure was “just not even credible”.

### ODT Online Sat, 19 Sep 2015
$15m bill for court rejected
By Craig Borley
Dunedin engineers and construction experts have rubbished the Government’s claims the city’s historic courthouse needs earthquake strengthening work worth more than $15 million. […] Lou Robinson, director of Hadley Robinson Engineering, said he knew the courthouse intimately after being involved in the 2002 work on the complex. He estimated an “upper limit on strengthening of perhaps $3 million”.
Read more

Save Our Courthouse█ Website:
http://www.saveourcourthouse.nz

█ Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/SaveOurCourthouse

█ Petition to Justice Minister Amy Adams:
http://bit.ly/1FlZIWy (via Avaaz platform)

Related Posts and Comments:
7.9.15 Public petition to save Courthouse for courts use
11.7.15 Dunedin Law Courts “an incredible historic building” –Minister
14.5.15 Russell Lund on Ministry closure of Dunedin Law Courts
14.5.15 Justice at Dunedin
2.5.15 Ministry serves INJUSTICE for Dunedin Courthouse #HistoricHeritage

Post and image (2015) by Elizabeth Kerr

10 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, Construction, Democracy, Design, Economics, Geography, Heritage, Media, New Zealand, People, Politics, Project management, Property, Site, Structural engineering, Tourism, Town planning, Urban design, What stadium

Super Dave #DUD #CityRiseUp

Received.
Sun, 6 Sep 2015 at 3:32 p.m.
[click to enlarge]

Super Dave 6Sep2015

█ Download: Super Dave (PDF, 106 KB)

‘Super Dave’ was written in response to this news item:

### ODT Online Tue, 1 Sep 2015
Group out to protect City Rise
By Damian George
One of Dunedin’s biggest heritage areas is under threat from increasing development of high density student flats, a new lobby group says.
About 60 people from around the area have banded together to form City Rise Up, a group tasked with “maintaining the character” of central Dunedin and stunting what it says is a major demographic shift.
Read more

There has been no meeting of signatories since the statement was published:

### ODT Online Tue, 12 May 2015
Joint effort to tackle Dunedin’s drinking
By Eileen Goodwin
A joint statement signed by 10 organisations signals a new approach to addressing the binge-drinking culture in parts of the city, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says. Entitled “Dunedin North Issues”, the statement released yesterday says “pressing action” is required to keep young people safe, curb excesses of alcohol-fuelled behaviour, and protect the livelihoods of Dunedin businesses and tertiary education institutions.
Read more

untitled - posted to Twitter by @MartinShovel 6.1.15

Related Posts and Comments:
● 31.8.15 Legal bloody highs | DCC’s pathetic buffer zones….
● 18.8.15 Dunedin authorities blame SUNSHINE #tui
15.7.15 Business owner forcibly removed from Dunedin Central police station
26.6.15 University of Otago flyover #partyville
24.6.15 DCC Residents’ Opinion Survey (ROS)
30.5.15 ‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image posted to Twitter by @MartinShovel 6 Jan 2015 – coiffure added by whatifdunedin

2 Comments

Filed under Business, DCC, Democracy, Economics, Heritage, Media, Name, New Zealand, People, Police, Politics, Property, Site, Tourism, Town planning, University of Otago, Urban design, What stadium

Dunedin authorities blame SUNSHINE #tui

Liquor-free zone [stuff.co.nz]City Council BULLSHIT AND DARK DENIAL [stuff.co.nz – liquor-free zone]

alcohol [newswire.co.nz]Campus BULLSHIT AND SOLAR GAIN [newswire.co.nz – alcohol sales]

Received from Ralph Light
Tue, 18 Aug 2015 at 4:45 p.m.

Fine weather could to be blame for a spike in student disciplinary cases in February and March this year, University of Otago proctor Simon Thompson says. ODT 18.8.15

Let’s blame it on the weather then shall we?

Let’s not blame the students for their excessive drinking, after all isn’t it what Dunedin is renowned for and why they’re attracted here? In fact let’s not blame them for anything when they bring $829m into the city every year.

Let’s not blame the authorities for allowing Dunedin to become so disrespected with a sum like that at stake!

Let’s not blame our city bylaws for the proliferation of liquor outlets allowed to operate 16 hours a day back then (it’s now down to 12).

Let’s not blame the Government for not auditing the $1,000 ‘Course Related Fees’ loan, that magically appears in the bank accounts of many full-time students coincidentally over this period. Let’s not blame any student for ignoring it must be paid back – Not when there’s so much fun to be had.

Let’s not blame all the bars for the feeding frenzy that ensues at this time of the year to liberate the newbies of as much of their startup cash as possible. Let’s not blame these drug dealers for successfully arguing to stay open until 3-4am to remain viable, because times are so tough.

Let’s not blame the excessive drinking that’s sanctioned by Police, University, Polytechnic, City Council and St John at the Hyde St party for setting the benchmark for partying like it (only dangerously unsupervised) elsewhere in Dunedin for the rest of the year !

Let’s not blame drunk students for their lawless behaviour when they can rest easy knowing a next day apology will suffice, because “That’s the way we’d rather deal with it.” –Simon Pickford, DCC general manager services and development (Stuff 25.2.15)

Let’s be very clear not to blame the vast majority of Otago Students who study hard, never misbehave and say nothing, as those that do —including their own Student Executive (Critic 9.8.15) give them all a bad name.

Let’s blame the weather then. Damn you Sunshine! What are we in for next Summer?

[ends]

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *view street*, *sunday*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *liquor*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud* or *student* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

2 Comments

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Vandervis identifies mayoral JUNKETS #China —with gloss from Aussie friends

█ Spent jet fuel makes the girlfriend cry.

“I really do wonder what the value is of all these trips overseas, especially when we have so many issues that need dealing with here at home.”
–Cr Lee Vandervis

### ODT Online Tue, 28 Jul 2015
Mayor’s China trip spurs clash
By Chris Morris
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is heading back to China later this year, but the trip has already sparked a fresh clash with one of his outspoken councillors. Mr Cull has been invited to attend the inaugural New Zealand China Mayoral Forum 2015 in Xiamen city, China, in September, at a cost to the council of about $8000.
Read more

Report – Council – 27/07/2015 (PDF, 111.2 KB)
New Zealand/China Mayoral Forum 2015

$8000? Don’t forget the mayor’s entourage, MikeStk….
[buzzz! Cling-on ALERT]

Meanwhile, Mayor Cull reflect…. with light shed on conduct across the Tassie.
Weddings, parties, opera, airfares, helicopters and limousines on the taxpayers later….

Link received from Australian Tie
Tue, 28 Jul 2015 at 10:44 a.m.

### canberratimes.com.au July 24, 2015
Bronwyn Bishop claimed Sophie Mirabella wedding trip as official business
By James Robertson
It was the scandal that quickly swept through a new government.
Soon after the Coalition was elected in 2013, Senator George Brandis became the first Abbott government minister forced to repay the public almost $1700 in expenses claimed to attend the wedding of shock jock Michael Smith. High-profile ministers Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce soon had to follow suit, repaying taxpayer money they claimed for travel to weddings. Prime Minister Tony Abbott himself repaid $1600 worth of airfares, car transport and allowances claimed for attending the weddings of two Liberal colleagues, Peter Slipper and Sophie Mirabella. “To avoid doubt, I paid the relevant money back,” he said in a warning to his colleagues. “That’s what people should do.”
One MP ignored the Prime Minister’s instruction, weeks of media coverage and public outrage at MPs’ habit of billing the taxpayer for trips to friends’ weddings. Embattled Speaker Bronwyn Bishop claimed $600 for return flights from Sydney to Albury for Mrs Mirabella’s wedding in 2006 – and she has never repaid the money, Fairfax Media has confirmed. Previously unreported documents released under freedom of information laws show Mrs Bishop told bureaucrats that the trip constituted government business.
█ [It gets worse. The Video is a must see.]
Read more + Video spoof

[screenshot] – credit: Canberra Times
Canberra Times 24.7.15 Bronwyn Bishop + Video Spoof 1 [screenshot]

Related Posts and Comments:
13.7.15 Jeff Dickie: Edinburgh tough, Dunedin (DUD)
21.5.15 DCC and LGNZ, total losersDCC and LGNZ, total losers
21.10.14 DCC adds staff positions, significant ratepayer cost
22.9.14 Daaave Dodo Cull —highly evolved from turkey
14.8.14 Mayor Cull’s reflections on Edinburgh #SisterCity #Junkets
23.7.14 Eddie Cull suffering lead singer’s disease?
21.4.14 Dunedin economic development strategy — low flying Year 1

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

32 Comments

Filed under Stadiums

U3A Dunedin – oh god, climate change to wallop seniors #creepy

Exclaimed down the phone. A retired member of the public sent this information to whatifdunedin, highly unamused by the “uncalled for” topic and the “brainwashed presenters”.

LOOK WHO IS SPEAKING, WHAT A LOVELY BUNCH O’ . . . .

University of the Third Age | Resources and Courses

include

[screenshot – click to enlarge]

U3A Dunedin - Climate Change 1

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

7 Comments

Filed under Business, DCC, Economics, Geography, Hot air, Name, New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic, People, Politics, University of Otago

Business owner forcibly removed from Dunedin Central police station

TODAY local businessman Jon Leng, owner of Chapel Apartments at 81 Moray Place, found himself being manhandled / roughed up by police officers as he was shown out of Dunedin Central police station.

Did Our Lovely Police keep any video footage of the incident – WIPED?!?
Oh, three foyer cameras ‘not online’, they said?

Apparently, the moment selected to ‘move on’ Mr Leng coincided with the absence of witnesses in the foyer…. conveniently, the woman receptionist was seen to lower her head (and eyes) for the expulsion.

Hopefully, Otago Daily Times, which Mr Leng visited shortly after the bruising, will run some decent coverage of the ruffled protagonist with his broken ($800) glasses.

Inspector Melanie Aitken [police.govt.nz] 1 Perturbed about the advertised 130-person party (Ball!) at Backpackers, next door at 2 View Street, Mr Leng had visited Dunedin Central to speak to Inspector Melanie Aitken who heads the investigation (into harassment and intimidation of View Street residents) that followed screening of ‘Party Central’ on Sunday TVNZ (10 May 2015).

Because ‘Mel’ Aitken made herself unavailable, Mr Leng decided not to leave Dunedin Central until she met with him. Fair enough.

At some point, however, he was forcibly removed from the station.

Chapel Apartments, 81 Moray Place cnr View Street [Google Street View] 1Chapel Apartments, 81 Moray Place [Google Street View]

### ODT Online Tue, 14 Jul 2015
View St event worries neighbour
By Carla Green
Residents of a notorious Dunedin student party flat have sent a letter to neighbours, saying they are “having a Ball” on Friday but are “really keen to minimise any inconvenience to you”. However, the owner of a neighbouring building, [Jon] Leng, is sceptical the event in the View St flat will be any different from previous parties. […] Mr Leng rents his View St property to short-term tenants, and said every time the student flat held a party in the past, he had to provide refunds.
Read more

Ball at Backpackers (letter)

█ Download: Ball at Backpackers, letter (PDF, 267 KB)

Note: According to DCC, Backpackers (2 View Street) may host a maximum of 50 people at ‘The Ball’, not the 130 persons invited by tenants.

Related Posts and Comments:
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
● 12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place [2 View Street owner details]
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

25 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, DCC, Democracy, Economics, Events, Heritage, Hot air, Name, New Zealand, People, Pics, Police, Politics, Project management, Property, Site, Town planning, Urban design

University of Otago flyover #partyville

### ODT Online Fri, 26 Jun 2015
Video: University of Otago flyover
A video from Dunedin’s Taylormade of the University of Otago is attracting huge viewing numbers. The video lasts 2min 27sec and is a flyover of Dunedin and the university campus area. The video has attracted over 90,000 views on the university’s Facebook page which, Taylormade CEO Ian Taylor says, “highlights the power and reach of social media”. Link

UOLCFY Published on Jun 15, 2015
Check out our awesome city and our famous University in this fantastic animated flyover made by Taylormade Productions.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

10 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, Design, Geography, Heritage, Media, Name, New Zealand, Property, Site, Tourism, University of Otago, What stadium

Unpublished letter to ODT editor —Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ (10 May)

█ Dunedin Police are aware that intimidatory and threatening online messaging is continuing to escalate. Weekend car movements and number plates have been recorded.

Received.
Tue, 2 Jun 2015 at 10:57 a.m.

On 29/05/2015, at 12:13 am, Chris wrote:

Dear Mr Kirkness,

I read Timothy Brown’s story today about the harassment of Carol Devine with interest.

The reaction against her has been very revealing. Noah laughs it off but this surely one of the cases of “many a word in jest”.

I am disgusted by the manner in which Ms Devine has been vilified and ridiculed by elements of our community. You have to wonder whether her gender has something to do with it. Whether you agree with that or not, it is hard to escape the conclusion that Ms Devine has been the target of an orchestrated campaign of bullying.

Here I think the ODT has a role to play. A good local paper should serve as the conscience of our community and I think someone needs to hold these people to account. Most of them will be good kids swept up in the latest social media ‘fun’. If the media can get a few of them to stop and consider the hurt that their actions cause then that would be a very good thing.

Sincerely,

Chris [full name withheld]
Dunedin

Almost 5000 people showed their intent to “attend” the event, which Mr Williams said showed it was “relatively successful”.

### ODT Online Thu, 28 May 2015
‘Party’ creator says no offence
By Timothy Brown
The creator [Noah Williams] of a Facebook “party” themed on a harassed Dunedin woman says the event is intended to be “harmless” fun and he will happily remove it if it is causing distress. Police have been investigating claims of harassment from a View St resident since she featured on TVNZ’s Sunday programme on May 10, in a segment about student behaviour in the city. A Facebook event named after the woman was posted online and called for people to “have a frothr, [sic] get f… [sic]” later this year.
Read more

Related Posts and Comments:
30.5.15 ‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

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‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student

Received from Anon
Fri, 29 May 2015 at 3:56 p.m.

Letter from Anon 29.5.15 bl

█ Critic Editorial | Issue 12
Stereotypical Poison – We’re Bigger Than That
Posted 10:20am Sunday 17 May 2015 by Josie Cochrane
At the time we sent this issue to print, 3300 people had signed a petition demanding an apology from TVNZ for its “biased report on Dunedin students” during the Sunday show over a week ago. TVNZ won’t apologise. What it’s done is no different to what we all do.

Related Posts and Comments:
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions, real story….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
9.1.14 Facadism: … University of Otago warps Castle Street
19.8.13 Cull on senility (firing up graduates)
24.7.13 University: Leith flood protection scheme and landscaping
31.5.13 University of Otago development plans
25.3.13 UoO: NEGATIVE PRESS: Weekly disorder in Dunedin campus area
20.2.12 University of Otago student orientation
17.2.12 Salvation Army: The Growing Divide
17.12.11 Stadium + Cull love = University of Otago + OUSA party
23.11.11 Judge Oke Blaikie finally said it
9.11.11 DCC has PR problem

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud* or *student* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

10 Comments

Filed under Business, DCC, Democracy, Economics, Events, Fun, New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic, People, Police, Politics, Project management, Property, Site, University of Otago, Urban design

Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture

Letter received [click to enlarge]
‎Tue‎, ‎26‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 at ‎2‎:‎29‎ ‎p.m.

M-H-Letter received 26.5.15

Related Posts and Comments:
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions, real story outs
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

alcohol-drinking-620-nz-herald (via newstalkzb.co.nz)Photo: NZ Herald (via newstalkzb.co.nz)

GinWigmoreVEVO Published on Apr 30, 2015
Gin Wigmore – New Rush (Official Video)
Single ‘New Rush’ from the forthcoming album ‘Blood To Bone’.
Directed by Zachariah de Cairo. Produced by Ranch Hand Entertainment.
Music: “New Rush” by Gin Wigmore (Google Play • iTunes)

UMNZ Uploaded on Feb 25, 2009
Smashproof feat. Gin Wigmore – Brother Official Video
Music: “Brother” by Smashproof (Google Play • iTunes)

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

22 Comments

Filed under Business, DCC, Democracy, Economics, Events, New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic, People, Police, Politics, Project management, Property, Site, Tourism, Town planning, University of Otago, Urban design

Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)

Sunday 10 May at 7pm TVI - promotion for SUNDAY

WATCH ‘Party Central’
█ Sunday TVNZ http://tvnz.co.nz/sunday-news

Sunday TVNZ investigator: Libby Middlebrook
Producer: Jane Skinner

█ Facebook entries sampled after the ‘wake up’ Sunday TVNZ show – the student’s name and personal gravatar have been removed; Helen Back from City Rise (not Carol Devine featured on camera), responds:

Student at Facebook (Sunday TVNZ) name removedHelen Back at Facebook (Sunday TVNZ) name removed 1

Related Posts and Comments:
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images – screenshots and text from Sunday TVNZ / ONE News
Facebook entries supplied.

25 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, DCC, Democracy, Design, Economics, Events, Geography, Heritage, Hot air, Media, Name, New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic, People, Pics, Police, Politics, Project management, Property, Site, Tourism, Town planning, University of Otago, Urban design, What stadium

View Street, seen from Moray Place

View Street from Moray Place [Google Street View - Dec 2007]Google Street View – Dec 2012 [screenshot]

View Street. A heritage street containing historic townhouses (once private family residences, of which only one remains in this use) and apartment buildings. Otago Girls’ High School provides an ‘architectural’ dénouement at the top of street. The church building to Moray Place and View Street has been converted to upmarket apartments.

The infamous 2 View Street (student proof carpet….) is second from right (cream painted facade), a former church hall then backpackers. It was purchased by a Mr Nicolas Beach in 2010. Mr Beach on-sold the property for an artificial profit (don’t ask). From that time it’s been all downhill for other people living on the street —with so little support from city authorities, the property owner (currently, an absentee living in Australia), and the university. It’s called turning a blind eye, passing the buck.

2 View Street Dunedin [qv.co.nz]Quotable Value NZ [screenshot]

WHO OWNS 2 VIEW STREET
From the DCC Rates Book:

Ratepayer name(s): Ross Maxwell Pty Limited

[oh look, that infamous firm] Postal address for this assessment
C/O Edinburgh Realty Limited PO Box 5772 Moray Place Dunedin 9058

NZ Companies Register:

ROSS MAXWELL PTY LIMITED (5447574) Registered
http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/5447574

Showing 1 of 1 directors:
Ross MAXWELL
55 Abbott Street, Wallsend NSW, 2287, Australia

Total Number of Shares: 1
Extensive Shareholding: No
Shareholders in Allocation:
Allocation 1:
1 shares (100.00%)
Ross MAXWELL
55 Abbott Street, Wallsend NSW, 2287, Australia

Related Posts and Comments:
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

10 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Business, DCC, Economics, Heritage