Andrew Whiley, who was instrumental in instigating a review of the Dunedin City Council’s economic development agency, had a few words for councillors this week about where things were at.
He was peeved, he said.
Councillors had been due to receive a council staff report about options this year, but that had been pushed out to January next year.
"The delay is unfathomable to me," Mr Whiley said in an email.
Council chief executive Sandy Graham said last month there were budgetary implications from the options, which meant it was better to consider the matter next year.
In August last year, consultancy MyGovernance said the status quo — the economic development unit remaining within council operations — was not viable.
It strongly recommended a council-controlled organisation (CCO) be set up to take over Enterprise Dunedin, supported by a board and stakeholders’ advisory group.
The MyGovernance report was clear key elements of the business sector had become disenchanted with the agency, particularly about the council’s input.
Next year, a CCO model is to be compared with what has been described as an enhanced version of the status quo.
Mr Whiley said the business community wanted Enterprise Dunedin to be set up as a CCO from July next year.
"They want confidence that we are moving forward with a structure that positions Dunedin for growth, investment attraction, sector development and regional confidence," he said.
Mr Collins said a strong consensus from members was unchanged.
"They support an economic development model that sits outside of the council, with independent governance, as recommended through the consultancy process."
In August, the council agreed to engage with the Grow Dunedin Partnership grouping regarding a business case about the options.
Mr Whiley was disappointed this was still yet to occur.
Council arts, culture and economic development general manager Mike Costelloe said staff still intended to engage with the Grow Dunedin Partnership.
"There are no practical difficulties preventing this, and the review process has simply taken slightly longer than originally expected during a particularly busy period," he said.
"We’re working as quickly as possible to deliver the best possible report to council and we now expect this to be completed in January 2026."
