TERESA STEVENSON 

I am a long-term city councillor with a Masters degree in City Planning, who bravely and publically gives a voice to logic, consistently seeking to contain expenses while also ensuring the maximum benefits for our community.  I am a strong supporter of small community projects, I actively encourage groups and businesses to access council systems and progress their ideas and plans.   Issues coming up for our city will be: Council wanting to gain a profit from private water consumption – I will oppose this. The upgrade of amenity in our suburbs including the South Dunedin library – I will support this.   Vote for a councillor you know and trust.  

Top 5 Issues

1. 1. Actively Supporting employment initiatives particularly for the low-skilled and based in the suburbs.
   
   - these may be community groups that give employment to the less advantaged.
   -these may be business initiatives that wish to locate here in Dunedin and create work for our locals.
   Our current DCC Economic Strategy focuses only on high tech or high income generators, I believe Dunedin needs to continue this, but also be proactive in encouraging employment opportunities for the low-skilled.
   
2. 2. Reducing expenditure on luxury projects,
   
   such as new swimming pools, which a council working party are actively investigating. Plus we need to watch our expenditure on roading, with the Central government reducing funding to roading, council needs to stop creating elaborate and expensive roads both in the city and by sealing all rural gravel roads. This is a luxury a small rate base can’t afford. Spending on sports also needs to be controlled and more even, council spends a lot on some sports codes like Rugby, Swimming, Netball & Tennis and nothing on creating New Walk-Tracks to our beautiful city features.
   
3. 3. The council is considering changing the water billing system, so that we charge a profit on water - I oppose this.
   
   Beware of council candidates who pledge to make water "a council owned company", by law this council 'company' MUST collect a profit from the consumer, which is a cost to you the rate payer.
   
4. 4. Our council companies are being drained of finances in order to fund the new Stadium. This results in the companies not being able to invest in some exciting new projects that can generate income for the city and jobs.
   
   There may be creative opportunities being lost .i.e. investing in sustainable energy, or other innovative employment creating initiatives.
   We need an open and honest relationship with our companies, to ensure they can invest for the city's benefit. They must tell us about the opportunity cost of Council draining them of cash. They must tell us of the opportunities they are turning away from.
   
5. 5. I support the redevelopment of our suburbs. I support the establishment of a vibrant hub around a small community library in the South Dunedin shopping district.
   
   There are also opportunities to revitalise retail, establish community internet cafes, and community gardens in the suburbs. Low impact factories and businesses to employ locals could also be encouraged and resourced to set up in suburban areas. Suburbs and villages in Dunedin should be vibrant places to work and live.
   

Personal Profile

47 years old, Masters of City Planning graduate, City Councillor since 1992, consistently voting to reduce rates, consistently supporting small community groups.

previously: Deputy chair of Community Development - twice

previously: Deputy chair of Planning and Environment 

previously: On Resource Consents Hearings.

on subcommittee that drafted the original Dunedin District Plan.

Member of Historic Places Trust, ASCO (an unemployed peoples support centre, Dunedin Amenity Society, NZ Planning Institute, Heritage Fund.

Regular liaison with: Dunedin Youth Council, Cycle lobby groups, environmental and suburban groups, various local businesses.

City Councillor and supporter of my partner and his at home kids.