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DCC Spatial Plan Verbal Submission
13 February 2012
Presentation to DCC Hearings Committee Click here for PDF version
1. Introduction by Peter McIntyre on behalf of the Chamber
- The Chamber assembled an expert group to contribute to the review of the Spatial Plan and to provide input into our submission.
- Chamber members will all be affected by the outcomes.
- Members are representative of the wealth creators of the city.
2. Discussion
(1) The Chamber requests Council to consider the Spatial Plan in the wider context of work also being undertaken with the Economic Development Strategy. We are firmly of the view that the Spatial Plan must enable economic growth and not compromise the economic development imperative.
(2) In the absence of the Economic Development Strategy work being completed we ask Council to give consideration to the effect that this work might have on the final Spatial Plan document.
(3) We believe that the Spatial Plan must be an enabling document that protects the city’s economy and the jobs for our residents.
(4) We have some concern over the sector focus that the document concentrates on (such as a creative precinct) and would caution Council on this approach.
(5) We contend that the market forces of the economy are much better at deciding the economic value and use of space aided by appropriate planning, not directed by it.
(6) Our approach would be to see the creation of an enterprise zone that would revitalise areas of our city that are currently underutilised, by encouraging partnership between Council and the private sector. We have seen models of this at work in other cities around the world (including Portland, Oregon) to achieve the outcome the city is looking to achieve. The challenge for Council is to settle on a few projects or a precinct such as the Exchange to engage with the private sector to achieve an outcome supported by good planning.
(7) We would encourage Council to adopt a partnership model with the Chamber and other key organisations such as the University, as it has done with the Economic Development Strategy Steering Group.
(8) We have outlined concerns in our written submission with areas that we believe have not been adequately addressed in the Spatial Plan. The most important of these are the assumptions around population growth and the changing demographic make-up of our population.
(9) We ask Council to pay specific attention to the protection of the CBD and particularly Retail in George Street. We share Council’s vision for a vibrant CBD and concentrated retail area which we ask Council to protect and enhance and avoid the dilution of this by allowing large scale retail developments outside of this area.
(10) Our contention is that for the Spatial Plan to be achieved we must first address the economic opportunities for the city.
(11) To that end we urge Council to insist that this document link to the Economic Development Strategy and ensure that it does nothing to hinder, but in all terms assists, with the economic growth and employment for our city and region.
(12) We would welcome further discussion on these matters and the opportunities they present, and willingly offer the input of the Chamber and its members to assist Council.
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Election 2011 -Policies for Growth The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Inc, have identified 5 issues that we think deserve public debate leading up to the election. NZCCI is non-partisan. It does not support any political parties, but it does support policies that enable businesses to flourish and that promote the interests of New Zealand as a whole.
We hope candidates and elected MPs will focus on these issues during the election campaign and into the next parliamentary term.
The five propositions are: 1. Action plan to grow a bigger ‘economic pie’ 2. Selling more to the world 3. Develop a skilled and responsive workforce 4. Reformed regional economic development model 5. Extend shared ownership policy
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Rural Broadband Vodafone Media Release 20 October 2011 Vodafone puts the power in the hands of New Zealand communities Vodafone is rolling out the red carpet to small rural communities, in the two percent of New Zealand not covered by Vodafone’s network, who will now be able to apply for improved mobile coverage in their local area.
A new scheme is being funded by Vodafone specifically for those communities that would normally be too small to expect coverage and which fall outside the government’s Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).
Vodafone’s head of community and government relations Roger Ellis encourages smaller communities to apply for the initiative.
“The scheme is designed to support small communities and those with who live in rural isolation with no cell phone coverage.
These communities see the benefit in having Vodafone’s reliable, high speed coverage in their area and are keen to get on board,” says Ellis. “Vodafone is willing to explore innovative ideas with small communities that could allow us to build sites in otherwise non-commercially viable areas.”
Communities will be invited to apply during a two month period each year. Following a consultation and liaison process, it is planned that a minimum of two sites will be built each year. The cell sites will use the 900 MHz frequency which provides the broadest reach coverage from one cell site.
Communities with no existing mobile coverage who wish to benefit from this initiative must be able to meet a certain criteria. Some of the criteria includes a letter of support from local MP(s), a supporting petition signed by residents, a willing land owner and support for an RMA consent among other elements.
Applications opened on 15 October and will close on 15 December 2011. A selection will be made by early January and the resulting cell sites will be planned within the following 12 months.
“We hope the new initiative will enable smaller communities, who often miss out, to have the accessibility and freedom of cell phone coverage that other New Zealanders enjoy,” says Roger Ellis.
Decisions will be based on Vodafone’s assessment of the sites positive impact on the local community, and the community’s ability to meet the required criteria. All applications will considered by Vodafone’s Community Cell Site project team.
For more information on the initiative click here , ENDS
For more information, please contact: Michelle Baguley, Vodafone New Zealand, 021 605 057 Michelle.baguley@vodafone.com ** ** ** ** **
on Otago Rail Trail Draft Long Term Plan
Mercury Energy Editorial from the Chamber: issue 151 August 2010 The Otago Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in saving members $900,000 in energy charges after successfully facilitating a positive outcome with electricity supplier Mercury Energy.
Mercury representatives had earlier called about 400 Dunedin business owners offering discounts, in one case 30%, saving the business owner $16,000 a year, if they signed up over the phone. Those who agreed had their verbal contracts recorded and received written confirmation. Later, they were informed by Mercury that the deal was being withdrawn as Mercury had not taken into account all of the Dunedin line charges.
The Chamber was contacted by members concerned they had been offered the deals only to see them whisked away when Mercury realised its mistake. There was strong feeling that Mercury should keep to its word and honour the deals.
Chamber Chief Executive John Christie contacted Mercury to clarify the situation in the belief that business carried out in the South was often done on a handshake, or a verbal agreement. The Chamber decided to get a legal opinion on the deals offered to members who helped pay the legal costs. The legal opinion decided the offer had changed slightly, and in some cases it might be better for some members than originally offered. A meeting was held with members, Mr. Christie and Mercury Energy New Retail Manager, Luke Blincoe. Ironic Cafe and Bar owner Steve Wilson and Kaan’s Catering Supplies owner Lindsay Kaan also played a key role in securing support for Mercury to offer discounts to the affected members.
A changed deal calculated on usage, was discussed with members and left all parties satisfied, even though it was potentially less than first offered by Mercury. One party more than satisfied with the final deal agreed to was Cargill Enterprises, where the final offer was very close to the original. Derek King, General Manager commented that “once Luke from Mercury fronted up face to face with us and admitted that errors had been made, we were very comfortable agreeing to sign with them”. Mr. Christie said a large number of people signed up to Mercury, some of whom received significant savings. Mercury also had new customers signing up, which gave both sides a win in the debate.
Mercury Energy is pleased to be working closely with the Chamber in order to facilitate relationships with the wider Dunedin business community. The Chamber continues to be an advocate for its members in the business community and act in the best interests of members and the wider business community. Mr. Christie said he was grateful for the leadership and support from the privately-owned businesses during negotiations.
Since then Mercury Energy have become a member of the Chamber, have hosted a BA5 and currently have a special deal for members for power.
Harbourside Re-development The Chamber has been working on this issue for over 18 months. A resolution was passed by Council on 29 March 2010 and an agreement signed between the Chamber and the Dunedin City Council. A joint press release has been issued Click Here
Hillside Railway Workshops The Government in November 2009 announced a $500M loan to KiwiRail to invest in Auckland's metro rail system to buy electric trains. Since this announcement, the Chamber has coordinated meetings, following the initiative of Dunedin South MP Clare Curran supporting the opportunity for local company Hillside Engineering a division of KiwiRail to bid for the tender for the build of a new fleet of trains for KiwiRail. Meetings have involved all local Members of Parliament, union delegates, city and regional council and business representatives.
While KiwiRail has ruled out the possibility of Hillside bidding for the overall tender of the work, there are still opportunities available for the workshops to obtain some of the ensuing contract.
Hillside Engineering workers marched in a bid to raise awareness of their fight for part of the contract to electrify Auckland's train network.
Dunedin City Parking Strategy The Dunedin City Working Party set up to review the problems that arose from a citywide parking review last year, has dealt with the last of the complaints about the city's new parking laws.
The Chamber was able to provide Council with 42 parking issues to consider and as many as 150 changes have now taken place.
The Council has called for an independent report to discover how it got the strategy so wrong.
The Working Party will stay in place to handle further requests but will meet on an "as needed basis".
Air New Zealand The Chamber met with Air New Zealand to begin discussions regarding southern services. The two organisations will be working together with the common purpose of developing and sustaining air services into Dunedin. As part of these discussions the Chamber has engaged the services of Aviation expert Professor Herbert Harris. Professor Harris is a Professor in the Faculty of International Law, a Doctor of Transport and a consultant of International Aviation.
Dunedin City Council Digital Communications Strategy The Dunedin City Council is looking at developing a long term strategy for Dunedin and its digital communications future. A digital survey has been developed as part of the consultation process, ensuring that the community is able to contribute to the overall strategy. The survey is for residents within the Dunedin City Region which stretches from Middlemarch to Waikouaiti to Aramoana. Questions seek options on how access to digital technologies can provide benefits to the community and businesses across the city. The survey has closed and a draft strategy is being prepared.
Dunedin City Council Rating System The Chamber has been approached by the Dunedin City Council to open a discussion about the current rating system. We have submitted to Council for the past fifteen years on rating differentials, highlighting the unfair and arbitrary nature that the current differential loads the non-residential ratepayer.
We have written to the Chair of the Rates and Funding Working Party of Council, Councillor Chris Staynes, supporting Council consulting further on this with the Chamber and its members.
Annual Plan Submissions
If you have comments or suggestions that we might put forward on your behalf, please contact the Chamber on 03 479 0181 or email office@otagochamber.co.nz |
