Dunedin's next economic development strategy will focus on more than just jobs and money, councillors say.
Working with the environment amid climate change and keeping in mind mental health and community wellbeing had been recognised as increasingly relevant, they said.
Emphasis was placed on becoming a digital centre, encouraging film projects, reducing ‘‘red tape’’ and supporting food production.
Cr Chris Staynes said that when the strategy was being formed, shops had closed and the city was in danger of losing its relevance.
‘‘The jobs in the manufacturing sector had reduced significantly.’’
Climate change had since come to the fore as a major issue and the world had been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cr Staynes expected a rewriting of the strategy would pay more attention to community wellbeing.
Cr Andrew Whiley said just 2700 people moved to Dunedin between 1996 and 2013.
In the past eight years, more than 10,000 people had moved to Dunedin.
He expected the next 10-year strategy to have a different focus and different metrics.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins said the city could rethink economic development from a position of strength.
Factors such as recreational assets, playgrounds and housing were relevant to economic development, he said.
Mental health would have ongoing relevance, as stresses associated with the Covid-19 pandemic looked likely to remain for some time.
Cr Carmen Houlahan said the city was a little depressed in 2013 until about 2016 and had since grown.
She hoped that in the next 10 years business people could see the opportunities associated with responding to climate change and operating in sustainable ways.
