Notice of Meeting:
I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Dunedin City Council will be held on:
Date: Tuesday 13 April 2021
Time: 10.00 am
Venue: Council Chamber, Municipal Chambers, The Octagon, Dunedin
Sandy Graham
Chief Executive Officer
Council
PUBLIC AGENDA
MEMBERSHIP
Mayor |
Mayor Aaron Hawkins |
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Deputy Mayor |
Cr Christine Garey
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Members |
Cr Sophie Barker |
Cr David Benson-Pope |
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Cr Rachel Elder |
Cr Doug Hall |
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Cr Carmen Houlahan |
Cr Marie Laufiso |
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Cr Mike Lord |
Cr Jim O'Malley |
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Cr Jules Radich |
Cr Chris Staynes |
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Cr Lee Vandervis |
Cr Steve Walker |
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Cr Andrew Whiley |
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Senior Officer Sandy Graham, Chief Executive Officer
Governance Support Officer Lynne Adamson
Lynne Adamson
Governance Support Officer
Telephone: 03 477 4000
Lynne.Adamson@dcc.govt.nz
Note: Reports and recommendations contained in this agenda are not to be considered as Council policy until adopted.
Council 13 April 2021 |
ITEM TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
1 Public Forum 4
1.1 Public Forum - Trains not Planes 4
1.2 Public Forum - Port Chalmers Day Train Usage 4
2 Apologies 4
3 Confirmation of Agenda 4
4 Declaration of Interest 5
5 Confirmation of Minutes 19
5.1 Ordinary Council meeting - 30 March 2021 19
Minutes of Community Boards
6 Otago Peninsula Community Board - 18 February 2021 20
7 Waikouaiti Coast Community Board - 17 February 2021 21
Reports
8 Actions From Resolutions of Council Meetings 22
9 The Future of Dunedin Railways Limited 27
10 Regulatory Subcommittee Recommendation on Legal High Retail Location Policy Review 96
11 Regulatory Subcommittee Recommendation on Gambling and TAB Venue Policy Review 115
Resolution to Exclude the Public 136
Council 13 April 2021 |
1.1 Public Forum - Trains not Planes
Sally Brown and Mel Borrell wish to speak about the outstanding success of the ‘Trains not Planes’ weekly train service between Dunedin and Waitati over the summer months.
1.2 Public Forum - Port Chalmers Day Train Usage
Raewynne Pedofski wishes to address the meeting concerning the recent train usage for Port Chalmers Day
At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.
Note: Any additions must be approved by resolution with an explanation as to why they cannot be delayed until a future meeting.
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Council 13 April 2021 |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. Members are reminded of the need to stand aside from decision-making when a conflict arises between their role as an elected representative and any private or other external interest they might have.
2. Elected members are reminded to update their register of interests as soon as practicable, including amending the register at this meeting if necessary.
3. Staff members are reminded to update their register of interests as soon as practicable.
That the Council: a) Notes/Amends if necessary the Elected Members' Interest Register attached as Attachment A; and b) Confirms/Amends the proposed management plan for Elected Members' Interests. c) Notes the proposed management plan for the Executive Leadership Team’s Interests. |
Attachments
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Title |
Page |
⇩a |
Councillor Register of Interests |
7 |
⇩b |
Executive Leadership Team Register of Interest |
17 |
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Council 13 April 2021 |
Ordinary Council meeting - 30 March 2021
That the Council: Confirms the public part of the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 30 March 2021 as a correct record.
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Attachments
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Title |
Page |
⇨a |
Minutes of Ordinary Council meeting held on 30 March 2021 (Under Separate Cover 1) |
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Council 13 April 2021 |
Otago Peninsula Community Board - 18 February 2021
gg
That the Council: a) Notes the minutes of the Otago Peninsula Community Board meeting held on 18 February 2021
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Attachments
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Title |
Page |
⇨a |
Minutes of Otago Peninsula Community Board held on 18 February 2021 (Under Separate Cover 1) |
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Council 13 April 2021 |
Waikouaiti Coast Community Board - 17 February 2021
gg
That the Council: a) Notes the minutes of the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board meeting held on 17 February 2021
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Attachments
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Title |
Page |
⇨a |
Minutes of Waikouaiti Coast Community Board held on 17 February 2021 (Under Separate Cover 1) |
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Council 13 April 2021 |
Actions From Resolutions of Council Meetings
Department: Civic
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 The purpose of this report is to show progress on implementing resolutions made at Council meetings.
2 As this report is an administrative report only, there are no options or Summary of Considerations.
That the Council:
a) Notes the Open and Completed Actions from resolutions of Council meetings shown in Attachments A and B. |
discussion
3 This report also provides an update on resolutions that have been actioned and completed since the last Council meeting.
NEXT STEPS
4 Updates will be provided at future Council meetings.
Signatories
Author: |
Lynne Adamson - Governance Support Officer |
Authoriser: |
Clare Sullivan - Team Leader Civic |
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Title |
Page |
⇩a |
Council Open Actions |
23 |
⇩b |
Council Completed Actions |
25 |
Council 13 April 2021 |
The Future of Dunedin Railways Limited
Department: Executive Leadership Team
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 A report from Dunedin City Holdings Limited is attached which outlines the longer term options for Dunedin Railways Limited and its assets.
2 Four options have been provided for consideration, all requiring funding from Council from the financial year commencing 1 July 2021.
That the Council: a) Considers the options provided by Dunedin City Holdings Limited regarding the future of Dunedin Railways Limited and its assets. |
BACKGROUND
3 The Council elected to put Dunedin Railways Limited into hibernation at a meeting held in April 2020.
Moved (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Cr Christine Garey):
That the Council:
a) Instructs Dunedin City Holdings Ltd (DCHL) to mothball Dunedin Railways Limited (DRL); and
i) Where possible, redeploy employees made redundant across the DCHL Group and elsewhere; acknowledging that
ii) Has no view on what a permanent outcome might look like; and
iii) Will provide up to $1.05m for the mothballing costs from July 2020 - December 2021, noting that any investment in future options would need to be subject to a separate business case and approval process.
b) Requests a report from DCHL, as soon as is practicable detailing:
i) Options for DRL’s operating and governance structure in the interim.
ii) An asset management schedule to protect current assets.
c) Requests, in time for Long Term Plan deliberations; an update report outlining the longer term options for DRL and its assets.
Division
The Council voted by division:
For: Crs Sophie Barker, David Benson-Pope, Rachel Elder, Christine Garey, Doug Hall, Carmen Houlahan, Marie Laufiso, Mike Lord, Jim O'Malley, Jules Radich, Chris Staynes, Steve Walker, Andrew Whiley and Mayor Aaron Hawkins (14).
Against: Cr Lee Vandervis (1).
Abstained: Nil
The division was declared CARRIED by 14 votes to 1
Motion carried (CNL/2020/001)
DISCUSSION
4 See attached report from Dunedin City Holdings Limited.
5 The
Council should note that no direct funding has been included in the 10 year
plan
2021 – 2031 for any ongoing financial support for Dunedin Railways
Limited.
OPTIONS
6 The options for consideration are included in the report provided by DCHL.
NEXT STEPS
7 Council
staff will provide an update report on the selected option for the 10 year plan
2021-2031 deliberations scheduled for June.
Signatories
Author: |
Gavin Logie - Acting General Manager Finance |
Authoriser: |
Sandy Graham - Chief Executive Officer |
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Title |
Page |
⇩a |
DCHL report on Future Options for Dunedin Railways Limited |
31 |
⇩b |
Appendices 1-5 to Dunedin Railways Ltd report |
67 |
Appendix 6 to Dunedin Railways Ltd report(Confidential) |
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SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose of Local Government This decision enables democratic local decision making and action by, and on behalf of communities. This decision promotes the economic well-being of communities in the present and for the future.
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Fit with strategic framework
The operation of Dunedin Railways Limited and its assets contributes to the city’s tourist offering. |
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Māori Impact Statement There are no known impacts for tangata whenua. |
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Sustainability The operations of Dunedin Railways Limited are a key feature in Dunedin’s tourist offering. |
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LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy The cost of any future funding requirements will need to be included in the 10 year plan 2021-2031. |
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Financial considerations Financial support for Dunedin Railways Limited has not been included in the draft 10 year plan 2021-2031 currently out for consultation. |
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Significance The decision is considered low in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. |
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Engagement – external The options report has been prepared by Dunedin City Holdings Limited with input from a selected reference group, Dunedin Venues Management Limited and a number of specialist consultants. |
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Engagement - internal There has been no internal engagement within Council on this options report. |
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Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc. The risks associated with the various options are detailed in the attached report. |
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Conflict of Interest The are no known conflicts of interest. |
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Community Boards Any decision on the future of Dunedin Railways Limited will be of interest to the affected Community Boards. |
Council 13 April 2021 |
Regulatory Subcommittee Recommendation on Legal High Retail Location Policy Review
Department: Customer and Regulatory Services and Executive Leadership Team
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This report presents the recommendation of the Regulatory Subcommittee (the Subcommittee) on the review of the Legal High Retail Location Policy (the Policy). This follows consideration of six submissions received by the Subcommittee on the proposed Policy. Although one person indicated they wished to be heard, they did not attend the hearing.
2 The Subcommittee recommends retaining the Legal High Retail Location Policy but with one amendment, to include Great King Street from Moray Place to St Andrew Street in the sensitive buffer zone. This is due to the increase of vulnerable people in the area, and is where the bus hub is now located. The recommendation is in response to a submission from the Police.
3 See Attachment A for the proposed Policy.
BACKGROUND
4 The Council adopted a Policy in 2015 to help minimise the risk of harm posed by the presence of legal highs in the city. It was made under the Psychoactive Substances Act (the Act) which allows local authorities to have a policy specifying where, in their districts, legal highs can be sold. It does not permit a council to ban legal highs outright or to have a policy which is so restrictive as to effectively ban their sale.
5 The purpose of the Policy is:
a) To minimise the harm caused to the community resulting from the use of psychoactive substances by limiting the locations where the ‘legal high’ may be sold.
b) To minimise the exposure and potential harm of legal highs to vulnerable members of the community
c) To ensure the community has influence over the location of the premises licensed to sell the products, in so far as legally possible.
6 If the Council decides not to have a Policy, there would be no control on where legal highs could be sold in the city should any legal high products be approved. Although psychoactive substances were available for sale before the Act was in place, there have been no approved products available for sale in New Zealand since the Policy was adopted.
7 In October 2020, the Council approved the review and retention of the Legal High Retail Location Policy and approved a statement of proposal for consultation.
8 The special consultative procedure was used for the Policy review, as required by the Act. Formal consultation took place from 11 November – 11 December 2020. Consultation included information on the Dunedin City Council (DCC) website, in the Otago Daily Times noticeboard, as well as targeted emails to stakeholders such as the Police, Southern District Health Board, Māori and Pacifica groups and to the Dunedin People’s Panel.
DISCUSSION
Results of consultation
9 The Subcommittee received six submissions made on the Policy review. Of these, three were from organisations (Police, Restorative Justice Otago and Spooks Vintage Art) and three were from individuals.
General support
10 The submission form asked: Overall, do you agree with the Legal High Retail Location Policy? Most (83%) agreed with the Policy with one submitter (17%) disagreeing.
Retail locations
11 The submission form asked: Do you agree with the current policy that restricts legal high retailers to the Dunedin central city area provided they are more than 100 m away from ‘sensitive sites’ like schools, churches, Dunedin Public Library, Dunedin Hospital, mental health facilities and justice premises? (refer to maps on pages 3&4 of the Policy).
12 All submitters agreed with this question.
Sensitive sites
13 The submission form asked: Are the ‘sensitive sites’ defined effectively? Would you add or remove any? (See map on page 3 of the Policy).
14 Most submitters (83%) answered ‘Yes’ to this question with one submitter (17%) answering ‘No’.
15 The Police submission suggested adding the area outside the Police Station around the bus hub as, with the introduction of the bus hub, there are anecdotally more school aged and young people in this area. Restorative Justice Otago suggested adding parks and open spaces such as the Octagon.
16 Note that section 52 of the Act prohibits the sale of approved products from any vehicle or street cart.
General comments
17 General comments included restricting the sale of legal highs as strongly as possible.
Subcommittee recommendation
18 The Subcommittee met on 25 March 2021 to consider the submissions received and passed the following resolution:
Moved (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Marie Laufiso):
That the Council:
Amends the Legal High Retail Location Policy to include Great King Street from Moray Place to St Andrew Street in the sensitive buffer zone due to the increase of vulnerable people in the area.
Motion carried (RSCCC/2021/001)
Amending the Policy
19 In response to the Police submission, the Subcommittee recommends amending the Policy to include the new bus hub area along the part of Great King Street between Moray Place and St Andrew Street.
20 The map of sensitive sites has also been updated to remove the sensitive site of the previous Ministry for Social Development offices. These have moved out of the approved location boundary. The sensitive site of 20 Dowling St has also been removed as it is no longer a place of worship.
21 See Attachment B for the minutes of the Subcommittee’s deliberations on the Legal High Retail Location Policy.
22 See Attachment C for the tracked changes to the 2015 Legal High Retail Location Policy.
OPTIONS
23 The options presented are to accept the Subcommittee recommendations or to refer the Policy back to the Subcommittee for further consideration.
Option One – Accept recommendations of the Subcommittee (Recommended Option)
24 This option is to amend the Policy to include Great King Street from Moray Place to St Andrew Street in the sensitive buffer zone due to the increase of vulnerable people in the area, and to remove the sensitive sites of the previous Ministry of Social Development offices and 20 Dowling Street.
Advantages
· Addresses potential issue raised by the Police
· Minimises the risk of harm posed by legal highs in this area if any are approved.
Disadvantages
· No identified disadvantages.
Option Two – Refer the Policy back to the Subcommittee for further consideration
Advantages
· The Subcommittee has further opportunity to consider changes to the Policy.
Disadvantages
· No known disadvantages.
NEXT STEPS
25 If the Council accepts the Subcommittee’s recommendation to amend the Policy, the amended Policy will be sent to the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority, as required by the Act. The Dunedin City Council website and internal systems will also be updated to reflect the amended Policy.
Signatories
Authoriser: |
Andrew Whiley - Chairperson, Regulatory Subcommittee |
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Title |
Page |
⇩a |
Proposed Legal High Retail Location Policy April 2021 |
102 |
⇩b |
Tracked changes to 2015 Legal High Retail Location Policy |
107 |
⇩c |
Minutes of Deliberations |
112 |
SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose of Local Government This decision enables democratic local decision making and action by, and on behalf of communities. This decision promotes the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities in the present and for the future. |
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Fit with strategic framework
A Legal High Retail Location Policy has potential to contribute to the safe and healthy people priority of the Social Wellbeing Strategy and liveable city priority of the Spatial Plan. |
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Māori Impact Statement Māori organisations were identified as a potential interest group and were advised of the review and invited to submit. |
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Sustainability There are no specific implications for sustainability. |
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LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy There are no implications for these documents. |
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Financial considerations There are no financial implications. |
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Significance This report is considered low in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. However, this assessment is based on the absence of currently approved products (legal highs). If products were approved, then there would likely be higher community interest and therefore higher significance. |
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Engagement – external The special consultative procedure was used for the Policy review and this included advertising on the DCC website, in the Otago Daily Times and advising key stakeholders of the review and inviting them to submit. |
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Engagement - internal There has been engagement with staff from Governance and Customer and Regulatory Services. |
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Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc. There are no identified risks. |
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Conflict of Interest There is no known conflict of interest. |
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Community Boards There are no specific implications for Community Boards, however they were advised of the Policy review. |
Council 13 April 2021 |
Regulatory Subcommittee Recommendation on Gambling and TAB Venue Policy Review
Department: Customer and Regulatory Services and Executive Leadership Team
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This report presents the recommendations of the Regulatory Subcommittee (the Subcommittee) on the review of the Gambling and TAB Venue Policy (the Policy). This follows consideration of 40 submissions received including nine submitters who presented at the hearings.
2 The Subcommittee recommends amending the existing Policy to remove the section relating to club gambling venues and to clarify the relocation policy.
3 The Subcommittee also recommends that the Council lobbies central government to establish a more sustainable model of funding for community organisations to replace the reliance on gambling proceeds. See Attachment A for the proposed policy and Attachment B for tracked changes to the existing Policy.
That the Council: a) Notes that the Regulatory Subcommittee has heard and considered submissions on the Gambling and TAB Venue Policy. b) Approves the amended Gambling and TAB Venue Policy, as shown in Attachment A, which has a sinking lid approach to the number of venues and gambling machines in Dunedin with the deletion of section 1.2.3 and the following amendment to Section 1.2.4 to read: Council may permit the relocation of existing class 4 venues where the premises cannot continue to operate at that site. Examples of such circumstances include the following: 1.2.4.1 Fire 1.2.4.2 Natural disaster c) Lobbies central government through Local Government New Zealand to establish a more sustainable model of funding for community organisations to replace the reliance on gambling proceeds. |
BACKGROUND
Legislation
4 The Gambling Act 2003 (the Act) requires all territorial authorities to have a policy stating whether it would allow new non-casino gambling (‘pokie’ machine) venues to be established within its district and, if so, where they may be situated. A policy can also limit the number of electronic gambling machines (EGMs) at these locations. The policy must be reviewed at least every three years.
5 The purpose of the Act is to:
a) Control the growth of gambling;
b) Prevent and minimise harm from gambling, including problem gambling;
c) Authorise some gambling and prohibit the rest;
d) Facilitate responsible gambling;
e) Ensure the integrity and fairness of games;
f) Limit opportunities for crime and dishonesty associated with gambling and the conduct of gambling;
g) Ensure that money from gambling benefits the community;
h) Facilitate community involvement in decisions about the provision of gambling.
6 The Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Act 2013 requires territorial authorities to consider whether to include a ‘relocation policy’ which sets out if and when it will grant consent for a venue to relocate within its district.
7 The Racing Industry Act 2020 requires territorial authorities to adopt a policy on New Zealand Racing Board venues (TABs) within its district.
8 While the DCC must have a Policy, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is the licensing authority and is responsible for granting or refusing gambling licences in accordance with the Policy.
Policy history
9 In 2004, the Council chose to adopt a joint Gambling and TAB Venue Policy. At that time there were no restrictions on the number of venues or EGMs.
10 In 2013, the Council reviewed the Policy. A sinking lid was adopted for South Dunedin and a cap introduced for the rest of the Dunedin area. The number of venues and EGMs in the Dunedin area has continued to fall.
11 In March 2018, the Council decided to extend the sinking lid to the whole Dunedin district and to introduce a relocation clause within the Policy allowing a venue to be relocated in exceptional circumstances.
12 In December 2020, the Council approved a statement of proposal for consultation which proposed retaining the sinking lid policy for Dunedin.
Community engagement
13 The special consultative procedure was used for the Policy review, as required by the Act. Formal consultation took place from 25 January - 26 February 2021. This consultation period was then extended until 10 March 2021 to advise Community Boards and provide them with the opportunity to submit as this had been inadvertently missed during initial consultation.
14 Consultation included information on the Dunedin City Council (DCC) website, in the Otago Daily Times noticeboard, as well as targeted emails to stakeholders such as corporate societies that hold a class 4 venue licence, and organisations representing Māori, as required by the Act. Other stakeholders such as the Police, health providers, community trusts and those that provide treatment and support services for problem gamblers in Dunedin were also advised of the review and invited to submit.
DISCUSSION
Results of consultation
15 Forty submissions were received and, of these, 25 were from organisations and 15 were from individuals. Organisations that submitted included community groups such as the Dunedin Prison Trust, Football South and Sport Otago as well as the Gaming Machine Association, Hospitality NZ, Lion Foundation, and those with health interests such as Public Health South, Problem Gambling Foundation and the Salvation Army.
General Support
16 The submission form asked: Overall, do you agree with the current Gambling and TAB Venue Policy?
Options |
Number |
% |
Yes – overall, agree with the current policy |
17 |
43% |
No - overall, do NOT agree with the current policy |
16 |
40% |
Did not complete this question |
7 |
18% |
TOTAL |
40 |
100% |
Table 1: Agreement with current Policy by number and percentage
Support for options
17 The submission form asked: Which option do you support in relation to the Gambling and TAB Venue Policy?
Options |
Number |
% |
Option 1 (status quo and preferred option): Retain the existing policy which has a sinking lid approach to the number of venues and gambling machines in Dunedin. The existing policy does not allow relocation of venues unless in exceptional circumstances. |
15 |
38% |
Option 2: Do not limit the number of venues or gambling machines anywhere in Dunedin and grant consent for relocating gambling venues. Limit where new gambling venues may be established. |
14 |
35% |
Option 3: Other, please specify |
11 |
28% |
TOTAL |
40 |
100% |
Table 2: Support for options by number and percentage
18 In the ‘Other’ option, a number of submitters suggested capping the number of EGMs and some suggested broadening the relocation policy.
General Comments
19 The submission form asked: Do you have any other comments about the Gambling and TAB Venue Policy?
Options |
Number of submitters |
Loss of community funding with sinking lid policy |
21 |
Reduce gambling harm with sinking lid |
13 |
Cap number of EGMs at current level |
10 |
Broaden relocation policy |
5 |
General comments |
26 |
Table 3: Summary of comments by number
Hearings
20 Ten submitters presenters at the hearings and all represented organisations. Organisations included problem gambling treatment providers such as Salvation Army Oasis, Public Health South and the Problem Gambling Foundation and community organisations such as St Clair Surf Life Saving Club, Sport Otago, Gaming Machine Association, Lion Foundation and the New Zealand Community Trust.
21 Key issues raised by health and problem gambling treatment providers were the importance of minimising gambling related harm in Dunedin, that sinking lid policies are slow but effective, the hidden costs of problem gambling and the disproportionate number of EGMs in low decile communities. Also, for each problem gambler, many more are affected.
22 Key issues raised by community organisations that benefit from gambling proceeds were the critical source of funding provided by proceeds to the communities via organisations at risk from a sinking lid policy, that the sinking lid is not effective in terms of reducing problem gambling, additional financial pressures from Covid-19, that there are rigorous gambling addiction safeguards and mitigations in place in New Zealand and the lack of alternative funding sources for community organisations. The risk of gambling proceeds being diverted to online gambling and commercial gambling operators with no community benefits was also raised. Most of these organisations suggested a cap on the number of gambling venues and EGMs as an acceptable alternative.
23 See Attachment C for the minutes of the hearings and deliberations.
Subcommittee recommendations
24 The Subcommittee met on 26 March to hear submitters, consider submissions and deliberate on the Policy review. It passed the following resolutions:
Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr Marie Laufiso):
That the Subcommittee:
a) Recommends that Council retains the existing Gambling and TAB Venue policy which has a sinking lid approach to the number of venues and gambling machines in Dunedin with the deletion of section 1.2.3 and the following amendment to Section 1.2.4 to read:
1 Council may permit the relocation of existing class 4 venues where the premises cannot continue to operate at that site. Examples of such circumstances include the following:
1.2.4.1 Fire
1.2.4.2 Natural disaster
Division
The Council voted by division:
For: Crs Christine Garey and Marie Laufiso (2).
Against: Cr Jules Radich (1).
Abstained: Nil
The division was declared CARRIED by 2 votes to 1.
Motion carried (RSCCC/2021/001)
Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr Marie Laufiso):
That the Subcommittee:
b) Recommends that Council lobby Central Government through LGNZ to establish a more sustainable model of funding for community organisations to replace the reliance on gambling proceeds.
Motion carried (RSCCC/2021/002)
Subcommittee observations
25 The Subcommittee recommendations are in response to submissions and to meet the purpose of the Act in Dunedin. In making these recommendations, the Subcommittee notes the following:
· The submissions and presentations were comprehensive and of high quality.
· Although the rate of problem gambling in Dunedin appears to be low, there are varying statistics and views including that many problem gamblers do not seek help as readily as those with other addictions. The impacts of problem gambling are estimated to affect seven people for every problem gambler.
· While the numbers of both ‘pokie’ machine venues and EGMs has declined since Dunedin’s first Gambling and TAB Venue Policy, there has not been a corresponding decline in the amount spent on these machines. Therefore, there has been no decrease in the amount of money available for community funding in the Dunedin district.
· Funding from the proceeds of gambling is a critical source of revenue for many community organisations.
· There is a social disconnection between the source of community funds from gambling proceeds and the community benefits for which these provide.
· There is a lack of alternative sustainable funding for many community organisations and there is a need for a more sustainable model that does not rely on gambling proceeds.
· There appears to be a disproportionate amount of gambling proceeds going to male-oriented sports organisations.
Retain the sinking lid
26 The recommendation is to retain the sinking lid approach to the number of ‘pokie’ machine venues and gambling machines in Dunedin. This aims to prevent and minimise harm from gambling, including problem gambling, and to control the growth of gambling.
Club gambling venues
27 The recommendation to remove references to club gambling venues aims to clarify the Policy. There are currently no club venues licenced to have EGMs in Dunedin nor have there been any during the time the Policy has been in effect. This section of the Policy which specifies the conditions for two or more clubs merging is therefore considered redundant and could be confusing to retain.
Relocation policy
28 The recommendation to reword the relocation policy in section 1.2.4 of the Policy aims to clarify when consent may be permitted for relocating an existing ‘pokie’ machine venue. The proposal is that relocation may be permitted only when premises cannot continue to operate on the site if it becomes uninhabitable e.g. fire or natural disaster. The aims of being more specific with this wording are to prevent and minimise harm from gambling, including problems gambling, and to control the growth of gambling.
Lobby central government
29 The recommendation to lobby central government for more sustainable funding options acknowledges that there is a lack of sustainable funding options, apart from the proceeds of gambling, for many community organisations.
30 It is the Subcommittee’s view that community organisations should not have to rely on gambling proceeds and that central government has a role in ensuring community organisations have appropriate levels of alternative funding to carry out their functions.
Racing Industry Act
31 Since the last review of the Policy, the Racing Act 2003 has been replaced with the Racing Industry Act 2020. While the Policy meets requirements of the Racing Industry Act, references to the Racing Act within the Policy have been amended to reflect this change.
OPTIONS
32 Options are to accept the Subcommittee recommendations or to refer the Policy back to the Subcommittee for further consideration.
Option One – Accept recommendations of the Subcommittee (Recommended Option)
33 This option is to retain the existing Gambling and TAB Venue Policy which has a sinking lid approach to the number of venues and gambling machines in Dunedin, with the amendments relating to club gambling venues and the relocation policy, as described.
Advantages
· Controls the growth of gambling in Dunedin
· Prevents and minimises harm from gambling, including problem gambling
· Addresses issues raised by problem gambler treatment providers and other submitters
Disadvantages
· Potential loss of community funding for community organisations over time
· Does not address all issues raised by community organisations
· Benefits to the community from gambling proceeds could be more limited over time
· Potential social benefits from gambling could be more limited over time.
Option Two – Refer the Policy back to the Subcommittee for consideration
34 If the Council decides not to accept the recommendations of the Subcommittee, this option is for the matter to be referred back to the Subcommittee for further consideration.
Advantages
· The Subcommittee has further opportunity to consider changes to the Policy.
Disadvantages
· No known disadvantages.
NEXT STEPS
35 If the Council accepts the Subcommittee recommendations, the amended Policy will be sent to the Secretary of Internal Affairs, as required by the Act. Staff will write to LGNZ requesting it to lobby central government in relation to more sustainable funding options for community organisations. The Dunedin City Council website and internal systems will also be updated to reflect the amended Policy.
Signatories
Authoriser: |
Christine Garey - Chairperson, Regulatory Subcommittee |
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Title |
Page |
⇩a |
Proposed 2021 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy |
125 |
⇩b |
Tracked changes to 2018 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy |
128 |
⇩c |
Minutes of Hearings and Deliberations |
131 |
SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose of Local Government This decision enables democratic local decision making and action by, and on behalf of communities. This decision promotes the social well-being of communities in the present and for the future. This decision promotes the economic well-being of communities in the present and for the future.
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Fit with strategic framework
The Policy contributes to the Social Wellbeing Strategy priorities of vibrant and cohesive communities, connected people, and safe and healthy people. It also contributes to the Spatial Plan priority of a liveable city – a safe and healthy environment. |
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Māori Impact Statement It is a legal requirement to provide notice of the proposed policy to organisations representing Māori in the area and this was part of the community engagement plan. Māori and Pasifica are disproportionately represented in problem gambling statistics. |
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Sustainability There are no known implications for sustainability. |
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LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy There are no implications for these documents. |
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Financial considerations There are no financial considerations. |
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Significance This report is considered low in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. However, it is recognised that community views on gambling are strong and polarised. |
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Engagement – external Consultation for was carried out using the special consultative procedure as outlined in the Local Government Act. The Gambling Act requires this method of consultation. |
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Engagement - internal There has been internal engagement with staff from Governance, In-house Legal Counsel, and Customer and Regulatory Services. |
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Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc. There are no known risks. |
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Conflict of Interest There is no known conflict of interest. |
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Community Boards Community Boards were advised of the review and invited to submit. |
Council 13 April 2021 |
Resolution to Exclude the Public
That the Council excludes the public from the following part of the proceedings of this meeting (pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987) namely:
This resolution is made in reliance on Section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, and the particular interest or interests protected by Section 6 or Section 7 of that Act, or Section 6 or Section 7 or Section 9 of the Official Information Act 1982, as the case may require, which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public are as shown above after each item.