BACKGROUND
2 The
development of the Gig Hub was identified as a key action as part of the
successful Gigatown competition and DCT, "Plan for Success", 2014. The
plan notes:
"It will be a place that is informative, educational
and inspiring, showcasing what we have achieved, explaining what we are
currently doing and what we have planned. We envisage this being in the heart
of Dunedin, visual by nature and drawing upon the talent we have in our
city." (DCT, Plan for Success, 2014 p.5.).
3 The
purpose of the Gig Hub is to demonstrate gigabyte speed ultrafast broadband
(UFB) opportunities through a physical, engaging and interactive space.
4 An area on the ground floor of the Dunedin City Library has been
identified as the preferred location for the Gig Hub. The space has gigabyte
enabled Wi-Fi, however the design, build and fit-out needs to be completed.
This requires authorisation from the Economic Development Committee in accordance
with delegations approved in November 2015.
Discussion
5 Council
approved $150,000 for 2015/16 Gigatown activities on 29 June 2015 as per the
following resolution:
"Following questions and
discussion it was moved (Lord/Hall):
That the Council:
a) Approves
the funding and employment of a Gigatown Project Coordinator(s) up to a maximum
of $100,000 (including salary and overheads) from the 2015/2016 approved budget
of $250,000.
b) Approves allocation of the
remaining $150,000 budget to:
i. Community Development projects $50,000
ii. Economic Development/business
projects $50,000
iii. Other
projects which will maximise Gigatown outcomes for Dunedin $50,000, which may
be of economic and/or community benefit.
c) Notes
that the Gigatown Project Coordinator(s) will report to Enterprise Dunedin and
be employed by the Dunedin City Council.
d) Notes
that the Gigatown Project Coordinator(s) will coordinate and deliver the key
outcomes associated with any agreed plan between the Digital Community Trust
and the Dunedin City Council.
e) Notes
the $150,000 will be delegated in accordance with the Grow Dunedin partnership
process as previously agreed.
Motion carried"
6 The Economic Development Committee subsequently updated the Grow Dunedin Partnership
delegations on 16 November 2015 which apply to the Gigatown funding as per the
following resolution:
"Following questions
it was moved (Bezett/Whiley):
That the Economic Development Committee:
a) Approves
unchanged delegations for allocation from Enterprise Dunedin's Economic
Development Strategy projects' budget as follows:
i Up to $10,000 by the Director, Enterprise
Dunedin.
ii For individual projects from
$10,000 to $50,000, and where the aggregate of projects within a project area
in any financial year did not exceed $100,000, by the following people:
• Dunedin City Council Chief Executive or the
Chief Financial Officer if there was any conflict of interest and
• The Chair of the Finance Committee or Deputy
Chair if there was any conflict of interest and
• The Chair of the EDS Grow Dunedin partnership
or any other non-DCC member if there was a conflict of interest.
iii Requests for individual
projects over $50,000 (or where the aggregate of projects within a project area
exceeded $100,000 in the financial year) would be considered by the Economic
Development Committee.
Motion carried with Councillor
Vandervis recording his vote against"
7 The design (prepared by Athfield Architects) and fit-out have been
scoped, priced and discussed with the DCT, Chorus and DCC Staff.
8 The
proposed design is informed by the Devonport Library and Museum of Transport
and Technology (Auckland) and Seattle Sky-pad and consists of three key
features:
a) A large table
with internal lighting near the entrance of the library where the community can
experience digital technology via tablets and other devices.
b) A digital
'cube' which can be used by the community, training providers and businesses
for presentations, technology, entertainment and design (TED) talks and
engagement locally, nationally and internationally.
c) Rearranged
shelving and desks to allow an integration of the digital content and library
collection while still retaining areas on the ground floor which are separate
from activities in the Gig Hub.
9 The cost
of this work is $80,000 and draws on the unspent Gigatown budget earmarked for
this project in the 2015/16. If the spend is approved, the funds will be
included in the carry forward report that will go to Council on 1 August 2016.
10 The Gig Hub has been
identified as a key priority and deliverable by the DCT and is included in the
Plan for Success. While progress has been slower than the DCT would have
preferred, the design and plan are ready to be implemented and with the support
of Chorus (who is sponsoring technical investment), the Gig Hub should be ready
for launch by the end of September 2016.
OPTIONS
11 The Committee has
the option of exercising the delegation or not.
NEXT STEPS
12 Subject to the
agreement by the Economic Development Committee, DCC property staff will
finalise the procurement and fit-out of the Gig Hub space.
13 DCC staff will also
progress a number of concurrent work-streams (in conjunction with the DCT) over
the next two months including:
a) Confirming the
technology options for the cube and devices and content.
b) The
operational model and resourcing.
c) Development of
an external and internal communications plan and target launch date by the end
of September 2016. This will be coordinated with both Chorus and the DCT.
d) Development of
a series of critical success factors for the on-going review and evaluation.
