Would Dunedin benefit from new satellite town?

THE ODT editorial ‘‘Airport Debates Big Questions’’ (6.10.18), while centred around Queenstown and Central Otago, interestingly addresses the issue of population growth of the South Island.

The ODT advocates a planned, standalone, ‘‘satellite’’ city for

Central.

Perhaps you could expand on this growth thinking and turn your analysis to Dunedin? Might, in your opinion, a planned satellite city/town 10km or 20km away with new and modern infrastructure, and transportation links to the CBD, merit consideration?

Dunedin’s proposed district plan takes the timeworn approach of converting ruralfringe land to urban densities. It seems that this approach (called ‘‘General Residential One Transition Zones’’) is no longer desirable in this modern age.

This Dunedin City Council approach to managing growth appears to be a ‘‘kick the can down the road’’ solution that leaves addressing real growth constraints to future council incumbents.

The first problem with this approach is that stress is placed on Dunedin’s ageing utility infrastructure as it is pushed to accommodate growth on the fringes.

The second problem is that it greatly diminishes the amenity of longestablished homeowners whose quality of life depends on that rural interface — thinking of the likes of Three Mile Hill and Abbotsford just to name two of the dozen affected locales.

If this were Auckland, those in semirural areas might have to expect adjacent development. However, Dunedin has historically been a lowgrowth city and it seems a case can be made for a growth model that is far less disruptive to Dunedin residents enjoying a unique and muchloved way of living.

Can’t that be a key part of being a ‘‘great small city’’ with a difference?

Craig Werner The Preservation Coalition Trust,

Dunedin

[Abridged]

Selwyn College sadness

AS a resident of Selwyn College in 201415, I was dismayed to see the Anglican Church pulling back from the college.

How sad it is to see the church, with a long and venerable history in this country, surrender from such an important role in society.

Perhaps the church may feel a concern about adolescent behaviour of some students.

I doubt this is new.

Surely this is a call for the church to commit itself anew to creating and fostering respectful communities of the young.

How sad it is that, in Selwyn’s 126th year, the church might call stumps.

With congregations largely getting older, the church should surely be considering further outreach to the young rather than giving up its outreach and retreating in on itself.

The chance to mould a future generation of leaders as they embark on their independent lives is a great one.

How sad it is to see the church shy away from the challenge.

Tim Shiels

Dunedin

Do we deserve this?

WE now have the trifecta:

Dunedin City Council — disaster. Otago Regional Council — greater disaster.

The Government — greatest disaster.

What have we ratepayers and taxpayers done to deserve being the unwitting recipients of unbridled spending by these three?

D. M. Smith

Dunedin

Great Globe effort

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone at the Globe Theatre who was involved with Bruce Mason’s play Blood of the Lamb.

Really well done. Alan Jackson

Dunedin