Tuesday 10 September 2019 9:41pm
Mayoral candidates for the Dunedin City Council ready themselves for the city’s first forum for this election last Thursday afternoon.
The first Dunedin City Council mayoral debate of the local government elections had candidates pondering the issues facing the city’s student population.
Hosted by the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) and the University the DCC Mayoral Forum was held on Thursday in the University’s Main Common Room, with about 130 attendees there to find out more about the candidates running for the city’s top leadership spot.
Of the 14 Dunedin mayoralty contenders, only incumbent city councillor Andrew Whiley was absent from the forum.
The other mayoral hopefuls: Carmen Houlahan, Bob Barlin, Malcolm Moncrief-Spittle, Lee Vandervis, Aaron Hawkins, Scout Barbour-Evans, Mandy Mayhem Bullock, Finn Campbell, Rachel Elder, Richard Seager, Christine Garey and Jules Radich, all packed onto the stage for the lively debate.
The candidates faced questions from OUSA president James Heath and Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne. They each had 60 seconds to answer questions from climate change, to student accommodation and public transport.
Most candidates favoured more action by the council when it came to climate change. However, there were some differing opinions on what action the council could take.
Most candidates also agreed there were housing issues facing students, including poor properties, management and tenancy issues.
Some candidates suggested they would be open to a warrant of fitness scheme and a potential collaboration to strengthen and financially support the OUSA’s Rate My Flat scheme. However, there was not a consensus on this, nor was there a consensus on introducing licenses for landlords.
Meanwhile, public transport also proved to be a hot topic, with suggestions ranging from rates and tax subsidies to lower fares, more car parking or making some transport free.
However, it was noted the Dunedin City Council has no sway over bus fees as they are run by the Otago Regional Council.
Just before the official questioning of the debate drew to a close, Professor Hayne asked the candidates to name one other issue facing students and how they would solve it if they were elected mayor.
This question prompted various answers from the candidates including mental health access, study workloads, under-representation on city issues, housing affordability and lack of venues in North Dunedin.