Opportunities seen in climate change
Lining up for the top job . . . Dunedin mayoral candidates making their pitch at yesterday’s Dunedin Mayoral Forum are (left to right) Cr Christine Garey, Malcolm MoncriefSpittle, Mandy MayhemBullock, Carmen Houlahan, Richard Seager (obscured), Scout BarbourEvans, Cr Rachel Elder, Bob Barlin, Cr Lee Vandervis, Cr Jim O’Malley, Jules Radich, Cr Aaron Hawkins (obscured) and Cr Andrew Whiley. Finn Campbell was absent. Right: The audience responds politely. CLIMATE change and the transition to a zerocarbon economy could be an opportunity for Dunedin or a wrecking ball for its economy, mayoral aspirants told a businessfocused audience yesterday.
Thirteen of the 14 candidates vying yesterday to be Dunedin’s next mayor faced more than 100 people at a Dunedin Mayoral Forum organised by the Otago Chamber of Commerce and the Otago Daily Times.
Candidates had two minutes to introduce themselves and explain their business credentials, before responding to questions selected at random by the moderators — chamber chief executive Dougal McGowan and ODT editor Barry Stewart — and the audience.
Cr Aaron Hawkins, asked how he would keep rates down while retaining essential services, said Dunedin’s rates were already low and cuts would require reduced services.
Instead, the focus should be on investing in climate change initiatives, like the transition to a zerocarbon economy, which offered a ‘‘multibillion’’dollar opportunity for the city and its businesses, he said.
Cr Christine Garey, asked what the major issues facing the city were, pointed to the need to strengthen communities, address housing issues and tackle climate change challenges.
‘‘In every crisis there are opportunities, and there’s an opportunity for us to be a global leader,’’ she said.
Cr Andrew Whiley, asked about council spending, defended its financial position, including debt levels, while arguing investment in infrastructure was needed to enable growth.
The city was ‘‘on the right track’’ but should look to cap rates rises at 3% for the next term, he said.
Cr Lee Vandervis, asked how he would work with other councils to achieve growth, said he would build better relationships with the region’s mayors and put more emphasis on shared services to cut costs.
A unitary council also offered the potential for ‘‘extraordinary’’ savings, he said.
Cr Jim O’Malley said one of the biggest issues facing the city was growth, given the shift from stagnation to medium growth — and the prospect of high growth — in just three years.
Housing and transportation were ‘‘serious challenges’’ that could be tackled in part by building up and reinstating commuter rail and building up the city’s construction workforce capacity, as well as preparing for climate change.
Cr Rachel Elder’s priorities for the council included more focus on housing, parking and central city congestion, as well as youth skills training and the threats posed by rising groundwater and coastal erosion.
Jules Radich wanted to promote economic development by focusing on local initiatives, including a digital export growth strategy and more support for startup ventures.
Richard Seager agreed climate change was a key issue, as well as debt, but Malcolm MoncriefSpittle argued it was ‘‘from the opposite direction’’, as it would not provide economic opportunities.
Carmen Houlahan’s focus was on fixing neglected infrastructure, especially where it was impeding growth, while Bob Barlin wanted a hold on rates increases and ‘‘grandiose plans’’ while the situation was reviewed.
Mandy MayhemBullock said the city needed to invest in growth and infrastructure, while keeping rates close to inflation to protect those on fixed incomes.
Scout BarbourEvans suggested meanstesting more affluent ratepayers to ensure infrastructure investment continued while those on fixed incomes were protected.
Finn Campbell was the only candidate to miss yesterday’s forum.