Letter From Cull, Wilson and Staynes

An excellent letter has been sent by Dunedin City Councillors to the ODT:

NOW the final decision to build the stadium has been made, a chorus of unqualified support has been attributed to some of us who have opposed the project. Let us be clear. The cost of this project being imposed on the majority in our community against their wishes carries enormous risks and we remain very concerned about these. However, the die is cast and like every other council facility, the stadium should be supported and promoted to the full. In order to reduce the liability of this new facility on our ratepayers, we have to strive to make it work and maximise any possible potential for viability.
We need to proactively seek solutions to the risks this project poses such:

• The very real chance that the cost will rise further.
• The potential for future opportunities having to be passed up in order to contain rates increases within an affordable range.
• The Dunedin City Council-owned companies becoming unprofitable due to the extra debt burden imposed by the stadium.
  

To counteract these, we will need to identify ways in which to minimise the rating burden through:

• Delaying or deleting other capital projects to limit overall borrowing costs.
• Reducing council operational costs.
• Not allowing the private sector funding effort to flag. It is more important now than ever.
  
• Ensuring the ongoing management and promotion ofthe stadium is efficient and of the highest quality to minimise operational deficits. .
  

In addition, it will be imperative that:

• The community supports and uses the stadium facility where possible.
• The tertiary sector openly commits to using the facility and the opportunity it presents for growing the education sector in the city.
  
• The city’s reputation as a centre of excellence for high-performance sport is significantly enhanced.
  

Even if these are realised, the next council will still face the daunting tasks of curtailing community expectations in other areas for lack of funding and of rebuilding the trust in the council eroded by the stadium process.

Crs Dave Cull, Kate Wilson and Chris Staynes
Dunedin