Views on direction a dividing line
Big increases in Dunedin City Council rates and debt levels are either the costs of a growing city or an unnecessary extravagance, Dunedin's mayoral candidates say.
But the dividing line between the two camps seems to fall between incumbent councillors, who largely defend the city's current trajectory, and those seeking to replace them, many of whom argue cuts are needed.
The council is forecasting this year's 5.3% rates increase will be followed by others totalling 34% by 2028.
Core debt is also climbing after the council lifted its limit from $285million to $350million, while group debt - including that of council-owned companies - is forecast to increase from $658million to $926.5million by 2022.
The drivers of debt include the rebuild of Aurora's network and the increasing of council capital spending, including on flood alleviation and other major infrastructure projects.
The Bridge to Nowhere
Then there is spending on the more glamorous projects, including $60million for the central city plan upgrade, $20million for the tertiary precinct and another $20million for a new bridge to the waterfront.Crs Jim O'Malley, Christine Garey, Aaron Hawkins, Rachel Elder and Andrew Whiley - who are all vying to be mayor - said they were largely comfortable with the council's spending plans.
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[Andrew Whiley] opposed the planned $60million central city upgrade, when a smaller $35million spend could reinstate an attractive surface environment, and wanted to cap rates increases at 3%.
Cr Lee Vandervis ... focus on core infrastructure and defer other non-essential projects.............
Mayoral candidates from outside the council leaned more towards spending restraint.
They included Carmen Houlahan, Malcolm Moncrief-Spittle, Bob Barlin and Mandy Mayhem-Bullock, who are all arguing for a greater focus on core infrastructure before other projects.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/views-direction-dividing-line
