The inaugural idea-generating event was held on September 11-12 and resulted in 11 proposals that are being developed and which will be considered for investment.
However, Dunedin city councillor Carmen Houlahan told the council’s economic development committee this week she felt the ideas "weren’t that good".
Cr Houlahan said the brainstorm itself was a great idea and she was pleased the council’s economic development unit was keen on innovation, but she was not sure the event organised by Enterprise Dunedin had quite hit the mark.
"Sometimes it takes two to three goes at these things to get it right," she said.
The event was run in association with the Grow Dunedin Partners group and director John Gallaher said a great diversity of ideas was put forward.
Those ideas could also be developed, he said.
"We encouraged people in the community to come into this process.
"The outcomes were as good as I could hope for.
"I was very encouraged by the engagement from the day," Mr Gallaher said.
Enterprise Dunedin economic development programme manager Fraser Liggett suggested at the committee meeting it was a good first effort.
Some concern was expressed before the event about intellectual property.
Marketing and digital agency Firebrand did not take part because of worries about the city council claiming ownership of proposals put forward.
Firebrand "mission commander" Lynda Henderson approached the council about the intellectual property clause and it was adjusted, though not to her satisfaction.
Cr Houlahan raised the IP matter at the committee meeting and Mr Liggett said there could be more discussion about it.
Mr Liggett said the event comprised a good mix of the community.
Asked if it should be put on again, he replied, "yes, absolutely".
Attendees were tasked with coming up with initiatives to create jobs in a post-Covid world.
Groups were also asked to identify ways of raising hope and social connectedness in the city and suggest ways to help businesses thrive amid operational challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Grow Dunedin Partners includes the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, Otago Southland Employers' Association, Ngai Tahu and Otago Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Gallaher said people had responded to the event with much enthusiasm.
"I’m very pleased with the way it worked."
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Comments
I think the government and councils should stop stealing from us, they use the word "tax" to describe this theft. With more money in our pockets we can get on with creating jobs, inventions, and making a better world for future generations. They silver coat what they do with long-winded sentences, but it is all about justifying their own jobs. If they can't tax us anymore, they'll tax future generations by forcing them to pay for the debt they've spent on themselves. This is a different vision from what I want to hand to my children. I want to give them wealth, roads, a clean environment, jobs, not debt. Just go away.
"Marketing and digital agency Firebrand did not take part because of worries about the city council claiming ownership of proposals put forward.
Firebrand "mission commander" Lynda Henderson approached the council about the intellectual property clause and it was adjusted, though not to her satisfaction", this has more standing imo, if you put forward an idea and the dcc accepts it, the dcc will then say they came up with it trying to make themselves look good.