Councillor stands by criticism of ‘shockingly bad’ Clutha NZ website
A RECENT new website promoting Clutha has come in for vehement criticism.
During last week’s LawrenceTuapeka Community Board meeting, board member Quentin Currall lambasted Clutha Development chief executive Linda Moore regarding the effectiveness, content and functionality of the Clutha NZ website launched last August (cluthanz. com).
Mr Currall described the website as ‘‘shockingly bad’’, and a ‘‘waste of $20,000’’, for which ‘‘someone’s backside needs kicking’’, and for which Clutha Development should ‘‘apologise to council’’. Questioned by the Otago Daily
Times after the meeting, Mr Currall stood by his comments, saying the website had ‘‘issues with the basics of grammar, spelling and coherency’’.
There were further issues with the site’s effectiveness in promoting Clutha’s subdistricts, such as Lawrence; and with its functionality, as elements such as filters did not appear to work properly, he said.
Ms Moore told the ODT she rejected the vehemence of Mr Currall’s criticisms, describing them as ‘‘one man’s opinion’’.
Although improvements were always possible, she said overall feedback for the website since its launch had been ‘‘positive’’.
‘‘As a regional development agency, we welcome and rely upon feedback from officials, residents and visitors to guide what we do. Although Mr Currall’s comments were delivered interestingly and with some energy, we’ll take them on board as any others, and feed them back to our web developer Firebrand.’’
She said the question of an apology to the council was not pertinent, as ‘‘nothing has been raised from our quarterly reporting process to council’’.
Regarding the focus and effectiveness of the website content, changes could be made as a result of the agency’s forthcoming Clutha Destination Strategy, she said.
A draft was expected to go before the council next month, which was likely to provide fresh direction and impetus for site content.
Council chief executive Steve Hill said the council had received only positive anecdotal feedback regarding the website, but would expect Clutha Development to review and address any issues raised by Mr Currall, and other users.
He declined to comment on Mr Currall’s specific criticisms until Clutha Development had completed that process.