Analysis of these benefits would be good
WHAT is the average Dunedin citizen to make of claims of ‘‘economic impact’’ on Dunedin from major events held at the stadium, and from tourism, generally?
We were told the recent Ed Sheeran concerts generated $34 million for the city. We were not told about how much of that was leaked out of the city in terms of associated costs to promoters etc or what the impact was on reducing the capital cost, with interest, for paying off the stadium.
Now (ODT, 12.4.18) we hear from Norcombe Barker, director of Larnach Castle, that the DCC economic unit, Enterprise Dunedin, has done such a bad job, an ‘‘unmitigated disaster’’, and has lost the city ‘‘tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars’’ through their efforts.
I do not know Norcombe Barker, Terry Davies or John Christie, but
I’m sure they do their best in terms of wanting to do their best for the city
. . . and, professionally, for themselves.
What is lacking is any coherence about what the real figures are — and what they mean.
I suspect economic impact figures are plucked from the air. Where’s the detail to prove the $34 million economic impact from the Sheeran concerts? And ‘‘tens’’ or ‘‘hundreds of millions’’ of lost revenue for the city due to Enterprise Dunedin ‘‘incompetence’’.
The media and ‘‘experts’’ from Otago University could surely shed some light for Joe and Jane Citizen. We need educating.
Peter Attwooll Dunedin Central
Futile ORC meeting
AS one of eight school representatives invited to meet the Otago Regional Council (10.4.18), I wish to express our frustrations at the futility of this meeting.
Serious safety concerns of peninsula students getting to the four affected schools were disregarded.
Even regional councillor Michael Deaker conceded ‘‘the current route is too long, too difficult and too dangerous’’.
Eight hundred signatories requested minor timetable and route alterations so that 124 Otago Peninsula students could potentially patronise the bus service safely. The overwhelming support this petition generated belies chairman Stephen Woodhead’s comment: ‘‘We’re feeling comfortable that wider community support is growing.’’
At Tuesday’s meeting, the ORC demonstrated no motivation to provide a functional bus service, stating ‘‘it would set a precedent for other community groups’’.
This flies in the face of the ORC’s Transport Policy objective to create a viable passenger transport system meeting the needs of Otago’s communities comfortably, conveniently and safely.
Tony Hunter Tahuna Normal Intermediate
Mobility park Uturn
MONTHS ago the city put out its 10year plan and with it the proposal to charge $33 per annum for mobility parking permit holders.
The proposed plan was approved by councillors in December last year. The proposal was reported in the ODT on April 7.
It was not until April 12 that the city council is reported as saying the proposal was put in the plan by mistake.
This was an attempt to impose a tax on a vulnerable group of ratepayers.
The mistake was in underestimating how unpopular it would be. Alistair Broad
Opoho ..................................
BIBLE READING: He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. — Isaiah 53:5.