Cost, lack of ORC action over headquarters angers

HAVING just paid my annual ORC account, I read with interest, the ODT frontpage (27.9.18) report giving an excellent breakdown of ORC spending.

Quoting Cr Graeme Bell’s statement ‘‘he could definitely understand the frustration and concerns of ratepayers’’, for me is an understatement.

The report has given us an informative breakdown of ORC costs and I cynically now ask ORC councillors, ‘‘where to from here’’. As the costs appear to be over a long period of time, the statement councillors have asked the chief executive to ‘‘act with haste’’, increases my cynicism. J. Mills

St Clair

THE ODT is a watchdog for the ORC but who, or whom, else scrutinises their actions?

Too miserable to put seats in our bus shelters, yet they spend $10 million seeking a property on which to build a palatial HQ.

A 10year saga with not a site in sight, incites me to protest.

Especially after receiving their rates increase of 21% when inflation is running at 2%.

If you withdraw paying your rates you get lumbered with penalty payments.

You can’t win. They do these things because the can. Who’s to stop them? I’m on their merrygoround and want to get off but it just keeps going. Barrie Kendall

Halfway Bush

TEN million dollars and no building to show for it. Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said he did not regret the previous cost of the search.

But I would be surprised if most Dunedin ratepayers would agree.

I find the ORC is just an extra increasing cost and is superfluous. Brent McLachlan

Company Bay THE chairman of the ORC, Stephen Woodhead, states he does not regret the expenditure of $10 million (of other people’s money) on a search for a building site, with nothing to show for it.

It may be of some assistance in this debate to understand Mr

Woodhead’s desire for a highprofile site (as befits this administrative organisation) to better reflect the role of the ORC in the region.

The existing Stafford St site offered the opportunity to purchase surrounding property over the past few years which offered car parks and extra office space. To the best of my knowledge the chairman did not explore these opportunities which some of us felt offered the best bang for the buck.

Has the council had any offers for the Birch St site which lies vacant, these past 11 years?

Gerrard Eckhoff Former ORC councillor

Alexandra

Praise for NZSO

TO be present in the Oamaru Opera House to hear the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra present its programme ‘‘Classical Hits’’ last week was a treat indeed. The programme was exciting and well received by a very enthusiastic audience.

Dame Gillian Whitehead’s composition Turanganui illustrated very cleverly not only the skill of the musicians, but also the versatility of their instruments.

It was spellbinding.

Thank you to the NZSO and sponsors Ryman Healthcare for making this tour of New Zealand, including some of the smaller venues, possible.

Hopefully we see you all again soon. Julie Atkinson

Oamaru