“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” -- Dr Seuss, The Lorax
Submissions on the Dunedin City Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2011/12 are due next Tuesday, April 12. This draft plan contains info on what the council plans to do in 2011/12 and over the next ten years. It describes the proposed projects and activities, how much they will cost and when they will happen. Now is your opportunity to tell the DCC whether you think that their spending priorities are crap or awesome. Are there things that the DCC should delay, reduce, delete or reinstate? Or are there things that you think the DCC should be doing that aren’t included in the draft plan? If you have an idea, now is the time to tell them!
For those cynics who think that the council doesn’t care about what you have to say, they do! Every submission counts and it is even more effective if you offer to speak about your submission at a council hearing. This isn’t too scary, unless you happen to be glossophobic (afraid of public speaking). The councillors aren’t there to debate with you and, seeing as how you are paying rates (albeit inadvertently through your landlord), you might as well make the most of your money’s worth and make the councillors listen while you tell them exactly what you think of them the Draft Annual Plan.
This year the council has two submission forms for feedback on content in the Draft Annual Plan. The first is for comments on proposals in the Draft Annual Plan, or any additional ideas, and can be found here: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/draft-annual-plan/draft-annual-plan-2011-12-submission-form. Some ideas for submissions may include (but are not limited to) the Southern Cycleway, the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, or making recycling available to businesses and residents in the inner city.
The second form is an optional questionnaire specifically for feedback on the Draft Revision of the Development Contribution Policy. Currently, property developers are charged a “development contribution” to meet the increased demand that new properties add to services, but these are mostly limited to “greenfield” sites that have been re-zoned to provide for growth. The DCC is proposing applying these charges to all development projects, which would include new commercial and industrial buildings, subdivisions, and new halls of residences (God forbid!). Think that this doesn’t affect you? It does! If the council is able to collect development contributions, it is able to recover the cost of funding infrastructure upgrades such as water and wastewater, roads, reserves and community facilities. This is a fairer method of funding new infrastructure than through rates or loans. Basically, developers will be paying more of the costs associated with development, so your average ratepayer (i.e. your landlord, parents, or maybe even you if you’re lucky enough to own your house) will be better off and your rent will be ever so slightly cheaper. The policy and eight-part questionnaire can be found at http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/draft-annual-plan/draft-development-contributions-policy.
If you find the process a bit confusing and would like some light shed on the situation, or would like to see Students for Environmental Action Otago’s submission (or even write a submission in support of SEA Otago) email seaotago@gmail.com.
Get submitting!
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