Ratepayers' group offers to combine forces

Dennis Dorney
Dennis Dorney
The Dunedin Ratepayers and Householders Association has had its feathers ruffled by a potential new council watchdog but its chairman has offered ''an olive branch''.

Calton Hill man Dennis Dorney is holding a public meeting next Tuesday night to gather interest for a group to replace or bolster the association.

He had tried to contact the association and had received an email from its secretary saying they had not had an annual general meeting for two years and the association was to be taken off the incorporated societies list.

''I thought it might be a good idea if someone did something about it ... there is a need for a group of some kind.''

Association chairman Lyndon Weggery said they were ''still keen'' to keep running.

''I have got to check with the secretary, just about the business with the Companies Office. I am hoping they have not wiped us out,'' Mr Weggery said.

He was ''surprised'' Mr Dorney had not contacted him directly but he wanted to ''extend the olive branch'' and combine forces.

''He wants to get things moving ahead which is great for ratepayers in general.''

There was a core group of seven people working behind the scenes and they still had an extensive email list to keep people informed, he said.

Mr Dorney (72) moved to New Zealand five years ago from Australia. He has been involved in several political groups including the Australian Democrats and the Green Party in New Zealand, but is no longer a member of either.

He said any lobbying would ''represent the views of the group''.

Mr Dorney's meeting is in the Brian Arnold Room in Dunedin Community House, Moray Pl, at 7pm on Tuesday.

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