Rail group calls for heritage fund

Albino; it's not just my view, but most people that I've spoken to, and in fact I've only ever come face to face and spoken with three people who support the stadium in the last 2 years. At my workplace (for example) with almost 50 employees, of all age groups, only one person is for it, the rest oppose it. This argument is, as always, regarding what seems to be a cult who think they are first and foremost, and are outnumbering those who oppose their interest. Spoilt with millions spent on the current stadium, mainly Carisbrook, the wheels squeaked again and instantly. And some of these followers, seemingly feeling they are the most important, got their calls answered. A selfish attitude of "forget anyone else with other interests within the city, they can go west". All the while these other organizations that do their bit to add colour and add to our priceless heritage and culture, not to mention things to do for visitors and locals alike, don't even get a drop in the bucket, as exemplified above. Year after year they scrape the barrel. I wasn't talking about local businesses, but various attractions that could be done in a heritage capital. (I think most of us do that, as I work for an organization that does a lions share to bring people in 365 days of the year myself). And not just heritage, but cultural, and not to mention fundamentals, like public transport improvement. If it (the stadium) was going to clearly turn a huge profit then it might have been worth while, but instead it's sucking potential and is a financial black hole in the making. A few night a year in full use isn't going to make a summer. Just consider the Queensland stadiums surrounded by 4 million and losing $80 million AU per year. It's hardly Einstein level homework to figure anyway. While you might say some who side with you, namely ex locals want to come back because of a huge box, I've noted a few, not just ones on here who see that the things that made Dunedin cheaper and easier to live in, are going. And indeed, the ex pro rugby player opposing the stadium surprised me by saying he was moving out of the city as he refused, on principal, to pay for a stadium that had been forced upon us when it was abundantly clear it was unpopular. (If any doubt to that, a binding referendum would have seen to that, but they feared the result). If there are apparently so many of you who want this fringe benefit thing, then perhaps you can all stump up with a grand or two. Most people including myself wouldn't care if such a huge volume of money wasn't going into it, that other things wouldn't be starved in the process. Or if public money is to be used, then only a small percentage, but as it's hardly beneficial infrastructure, user pays should be the motto. After all, it was so popular there was a shortfall, proving lack of interest. All that people here ask for is a fair share of the meat for other things in this city, especially volunteer organizations like OBR, who run on a shoestring. Add all these attractions together given a bit of recognition to develop into something a lot better for the benefit of all, none would come close to the quarter billion going to the Awatea St white elephant.

Your response is typical and of no surprise pukeko.... Try reading what I wrote again (though it was actually abridged quite significantly also). I said that for every 'friend' you can offer, I have another (that's one for one, not "two or whatever") that look at Dunedin in envy of the way our elected leaders are promoting our city. They are not all from large cities, some are ex-Dunedin residents who openly admit they thought the 'grass was greener' and now wish they were back - a number have made significant steps to coming back. I am assuming that you include me as a DCC 'minion' because I support the Stadium. I own my own business, employ Dunedin residents, and am also employed in a full-time job by an organisation that is a significant part of this city.....I am absolutely certain that I am an individual that "makes (Dunedin) go round 365 days per year".

At the height above the beach it runs, it would be ok, as the Ocean Beach Railway climbs a gradient after departing Kettle Park before reaching Moana Rua Rd. The idea was to then run along the shelf of land to St Clair, some elevation above the beach. This would work, but it would need a lot of work done to create a trackbed to support it.

Personally, it wouldn’t have been the site I would have chosen to put a heritage line. Gasworks would be no good, as there is no room at all to run a full size railway at all. It was a 1960s decision to have the OBR put there, (the OMES is a separate entity from OBR) and there had been ideas to put it on the old formation out of Abbotsford along a branch line that once was.

The best idea that was floated was to have it operate on the long industrial line out at north Taieri, and at the same time other heritage groups, including the heritage fleet of the fire brigade, all currently in store, would be on display. It could have incorporated the historic hangar out there to house some of the displays, and some other unique, draw card exhibits could be procured, but this piece of heritage was recently demolished with Fonterra being moved into there, but I won't get started there.

Albino; so apparently the stadium wanting, 'me me me' lot have generated a cult following abroad, (where do they come from? LA, Phoenix, Surfers where there are concrete jungles emanating from ‘moving forward’) or maybe you forgot to mention that most other things are being cut back or not getting anything at all due to all eggs being put into this one basket (like the subject of this thread).

Or indeed the fact we have a stadium that had millions spent on it just a few years ago, that has around the same seating capacity. I guess they only got one side of the story, surprised I am not.

In the current climate, few cities this size, especially with an historic/nature stature, or geographical location wouldn’t starve all else to build a silly stadium. Moving the city forward you say? Don't make me laugh. Oh yes, bringing old third world smoky busses back, (as ORC recently announced) no real time info at bus stops like most cities now have. An example of sacrifice for the stadium kitty.

And in a heritage capital, a helping hand in beneficial enhancements to the city, get fobbed off a request from what only amount to be drops in the bucket compared to the ever increasing millions for the white mammoth you support, one that will get a few hours full use each year.

You can offer two or whatever international pro DCC friends as you like, but I’d offer you in triplicate, plenty, local and abroad that would say (as was recently reported in ODT) that the current DCC etc have a complete lack of vision when they blow hundreds of millions on two costly, mediocre, ungainly edifices that serve little purpose for the fringe benefit of a few. Just so people don’t have to wear a beanie or coat to a rugby match; the whole concept of replacing Carisbrook for this ire factor re-invents the word preposterous.

Things like OBR and other projects to add to the city, along with basic fundamentals, are putting it forward, that’s why people come to visit and spend their money, and most have benefits to locals too.

And as a footnote, I was talking to a guy who only a few years ago, just happened to be a professional rugby player, he is livid about the stadium and supports the common sensual idea - retain the Brook, and says the stadium will bankrupt the city. That says it all.

The Otago Central 130th rail line sod turning, a line which has large iron viaducts built in the wop wops, one of them almost 50m high, with no modern technology we have today. Then, to compare the stadium pushers say it’s not possible to put a roof on Carisbrook. What utter rot. It might well be that these 'friends' of yours from other shores have a stadium in their city, but I'm sure their city is a lot larger, it's not mostly funded by ratepayers (or council tax as it's called in UK) the city is probably close by another city that will also come to the stadium, and finally, most importantly, other interests and organizations of that city, especially heritage wise get a fair share of recognition and thus assistance for their contribution, unlike here.

Tunnel vision applies with DCC and it's minions. As if the rest of the city or what makes it go round 365 days per year (and what would potentially make it go round even better) doesn't even exist.

Ahh, yes, Amanda K, silly me, you are of course dead right. Here I was thinking councils were meant to listen to the people that pay their wages and see to projects that would benifit a wade spectrum. But here we have a blatant exception. The pro-stadium councillors don’t want to bother with things like heritage trains, nor even useful things like commuter trains, but instead their own gravy train, involuntarily funded by the city ratepayers. They certainly are good at railroading things onto us, like unnecessary debt. We look forward to derailing their 'train' in just under a year.

Pukeko........what is the use in going on and on about how much better 'run' every other country you've visited is? I have friends all over the world that comment on the stadium and Dunedin too....and they can't believe just how forward thinking and innovative our city leaders and Council are....for every 'friend' you have that is so disparaging of our council, I can offer you another who would give anything to have elected local council members like ours.....pushing their city/town forward. 

Pukeko, perhaps you do not understand the way it is here in Dunedin? The mistake you made was thinking that a project that is good for the community and good business would be given the green light by pro stadium councillors. The important questions are: Will these heritage ideas create any money for pro stadium councillors? Will it create any money for pro stadium councillors friends? No to both of those questions, unfortunately for you and alot of other wonderful community projects. That is, until October 2010.

If the rail had been built to St Clair it would have long ago ended up in the sea. The likely outcome of continued study of tides and hydrological forces will be a managed retreat from the playing fields returning the area to sand dunes. I would think a worthwhile option may be shift the OMES to the Gasworks site.

As always, any worthwhile volunteer run organization on a shoestring budget that contributes to the city's heritage factor, community and attractions gets shown the moths in the DCC wallet when they ask for a few thousand in assistance. But when it comes to the stadium and another few million requested, out comes the checkbook instantly. Fully reversed priorities. Utterly despicable and madness. They (Ocean Beach Railway) could have been running from St Kilda through to Clair as mentioned, which would be a most worthwhile attraction in the area, especially in summer months. Currently they go to nowhere after a short 700m. Sadly, as a slap in the face, they are turned down in the usual prevailing attitude, while millions are blown on mediocrity like glass cubes and an oversized glasshouse. Friends from UK and Germany whom I tell this are incredulous at this sort of thinking of the few in our council chambers. Next October seems way too far away.