Dunedin’s economy holding up

INCREASED interest in Dunedin as a filming location is among several highlights in a new report that show the city’s economy is holding up despite Covid19.

Film and TV interest, retail spending and the job market are all heading in the right direction, the report suggests.

But Auckland’s lockdown hit Dunedin heavily, costing it an estimated $270,000 a day.

Film Dunedin responded to 53 screen, filming and work inquiries this year, compared with 21 last year, the report from Enterprise Dunedin to the Dunedin City Council’s economic development committee states.

‘‘Film Dunedin is currently working with nine domestic feature films and four domestic television and web series in varying levels of production.’’

Other trends were also looking positive.

In the four weeks ended September 20, retail spending in Dunedin dropped only 1.1% below the corresponding time last year — well below the 3.3% decline nationally.

There was also good news on the employment front.

The number of jobs in Dunedin in August was 1% higher than it was a year ago, and average wages over the three months to August were 3.3% higher.

There was a wide range of employment trends between industries.

Jobs in public administration, health, construction and hospitality increased, but media, warehousing, wholesale trade and recreational services did not fare so well.

Covid19 continues to affect the city’s visitor sector.

Domestic spending in the year ended July was $480 million, down 16.1% on the previous year.

The change in alert levels for Auckland following the second outbreak had an impact, with no Aucklanders heading south and half the normal number of visitors from Waikato and Northland.

International visitor spending in the city was $187 million, down 18.7%, in the year ended July.

The conference sector had taken a significant hit from Covid19 restrictions and a business events strategy was due to be completed this month.

The report noted Enterprise Dunedin had submitted three conference bids this quarter — one, with an estimated value of $257,000, was successful, one was lost to Queenstown, and another was still to be confirmed.

The committee will meet on Monday.