Tim Calder

Our new Otago University Student Association (OUSA) President for 2009 is Jo Moore, who beat off 7 other candidates, all male. Jo’s main campaign platform was that she and her incoming committee would investigate the Otago University moving to a four day a week tuition programme which would mean that students would have day free whereby they could work, study, or focus on other endeavors. This move would allow the Otago University to reduce their carbon footprint by not requiring to heat, clean, and administer tuition areas on this day. I think this is an innovative idea to improve the Otago University Education. This concept would promote a far more efficient use of time in an age whereby costs are increasing, time is becoming far more valuable and student allowances are remaining the same.

I look forward to speaking with Jo, once she settles in to her new role, on her views of the Awatea Street Stadium development and to see whether her committee of executives support or are against this topical subject in Dunedin. This years President, Simon Wilson, was on the fence of the stadium proposal stating that the Otago University’s enrollment numbers are looking to be capped so any additional benefit from the stadium that would attract more students to Dunedin would be ineffective, although agreed that as a student he could see what an attraction this could become. Under Simon’s presidency, OUSA moved that they (the student body representative) were against the stadium development as many students believed that this joint venture with the Otago University, City and Regional Councils, would result in their fees going up… It is a fact however that the Otago University are looking to invest over $150m in purchasing land & buildings in the coming 5 years. I believe that the figures that they have indicated they will contribute to the stadium development would be better spent than competing with other investors for the limited supply commercial property.

Price Waterhouse Coopers have yesterday released a very interesting report which they have conducted on the complete economic benefits of stadia titled “From dressing rooms to conference rooms”. This report identifies key findings which relate to drivers for their development, increased attendance, multi-use applications, community/commercial benefits, funding structures, opportunities and risks, and planned stadia expansions/developments. This is a ‘must read’ for the antis out there as it encompasses both the economic and accounting aspects which are important to be considered together. Thank you to the Otago University for forwarding the Our Stadium Supporters club this information.

It took me a while to get into but now Facebook has become something I look forward to viewing and has changing the way I keep in touch with friends. There is growing opinion that Facebook is heading into troubled waters as employers are starting to view their employees profiles which has begun to restrict the content that the university student base users are uploading. I can understand this concern as I monitor what I upload and filter comments from friends that could offend others. I believe this common concern may create an avenue for another player to enter the social networking web platform as Facebook’s focus becomes to broad. I have just finished launching my second group on Facebook where people are able to join the Our Stadium Supporters club to grow our membership numbers. This is a perfect example of where Facebook is crossing over between personal to business use which is restricting users true personalities in response to those that could be watching and judging.

In what seems to be a very positive move the Carisbrook Stadium Trust is proposing a change to the district plan which would allow them to rezone the land at Awatea Street from Industrial to Campus Zoning. This would allow the trust to further the stadium development and transform this derelict land into a vibrant, functional, and enjoyable area. This news has aggravated the ‘Stop the Stadium group’ as they are seeking to encourage their members to make submissions to the Environment Court against the change in order to delay the process. Not only is this an irresponsible move, it could potentially delay the completion of the stadium which is only just on target to be ready by the 2011 Rugby World Cup. This delay would also end up costing the city more as construction would be put on hold until the appeals have been considered and ruling is made.

A new Anti-Progress Group, vehemently named “Stop the Stadium“, has formed against the proposed multi-purpose stadium in Dunedin. It is such a pity that these few people cannot see past their own lifetimes and self importance to view this development as what it should be; a 50 year vision. Local Dunedin TV station Channel 9 is running the story tonight as this topic continues to create a stir in the community. Channel 9 is also running a series called ‘The Great Stadium Debate’, designed to help inform the people of Dunedin about the proposed stadium and the controversy surrounding it. I took part in the second episode of the series, sharing my views as a current student at the University of Otago, and debating against three true “antis” (who were clearly blind to the benefits this stadium would bring to the city and instead, only managing to focus on the cost). I sincerely have no problem with people having negative views on the stadium proposal, my only gripe is when they decide to knock the project without being fully informed first, as if they were, they would find that all their concerns have already been addressed. I firmly believe this is the best solution for Dunedin and challenge those who oppose to try and come up with something better.

In the presentation before the ORC hearing the CST produced further designs for the new Stadium. In yesterdays ODT article it suggested that these designs better highlight the multi-purpose flexibility of the Stadium. This is vital as the greatest reservation the antis have against the stadium is that it is not multi-purpose. Clearly the pictures in the ODT article and on the CST website show the significant capabilities of this new stadium to be used for a range of sports. Right now there is a lot of opportunity for entrepreneurs to take advantage of the progress of this project and start to think about sporting, musical, and theatrical events that could be organised and promoted at this unique, roofed venue.

The Otago Regional Council has just approved the $37.4M! (with some conditions). This means that both councils have now committed funds to the Stadium totalling $122.4M. I really feel for these supportive councilors who have to make the best decisions they can with hundreds of negative, miss-informed people jeering at them. I don’t think a process like this very fair on our region and city representatives who have a very large, important decision to make. I am very pleased that at the end of the day common sense prevailed.

The Otago Regional Council have a big decision to make today which is whether they support, and will contribute to the new multi purposed Stadium. The ORC have been asked by the Carisbrook Stadium Trust for $37.4M which as Stephen Cairns said is “the largest amount the ORC has ever been asked for”. Is was good to hear that after the supporters abysmal turnout at the submission process that mistake was remedied by the overwhelming response to the ‘Show of Support email to Stephen Cairns‘ campaign whereby 200+ emails were sent. The Stadium Rates Impact was produced by the Otago Daily Times which shows the different rates that would be imposed by the Dunedin City and Regional Councils.

The Carisbrook Stadium Trust is now beginning the process of re-zoning the land where they plan to build the new multi-purpose stadium. This is going to be an arduous task which will hopefully go though without any appeals being lodged with the Environment Court. If appeals are lodged this would mean that the stadium construction could be delayed which means that the stadium would not be ready for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The land will need to be re-zoned from an industrial zone to campus zone so that the stadium can be built.