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Dunedin's council has voted to make a pitch to the Government for millions of dollars in Aurora Energy noncompliance penalties to be used for energy efficient initiatives.
But one councillor described the move as ‘‘embarrassing’’, and believed the Government was unlikely to approve it.
Mayor Aaron Hawkins put forward a motion at yesterday’s Dunedin City Council meeting, requesting that all penalties imposed by the Commerce Commission be reinvested in Aurora’s catchment, rather than going to the Government as they currently do.
The figure was expected to be about $5 million.
Mr Hawkins said the funding could go into projects that could, in the longer term, offset lines charges by decreasing the energy demand households had.
‘‘This is something that can support people in the long term.’’
It was unclear who would administer the money, but it was unlikely to be the council, he said.
All other councillors supported the motion, except Cr Lee Vandervis.
He said telling the Government how to spend money gathered from fines was ‘‘simply delusional’’.
He agreed more money should be spent on initiatives such as solar panels and insulation.
‘‘To try to do it under these circumstances, I think quite frankly, is posturing and it will be seen that way by the Government.’’
The motion was passed 13-1, with Cr Vandervis against.