From: Lee Vandervis lee@vandervision.co.nz

Date: Monday, 28 April 2025 at 2:41 PM

To: Ruby Shaw ruby.shaw@alliedpress.co.nz

Subject: Re: Business South and Zero Carbon Alliance

Hi Ruby,

I agree with Business South CEO Mike Collins that the DCC Zero Carbon Alliance plan is “’very ambitious’ and there were concerns the time-frame to be zero carbon by 2030 was too short.”

In my view “very ambitious” zero carbon by 2030 understates the extreme and unaffordable proposed DCC actions, which come on top of a decade and thousands of pages of DCC CO2-reduction planning and carbon footprint calculating.

The costs of DCC carbon reduction paperwork already runs to more than a million dollars per year with no perceptible benefit for Dunedin citizens except perhaps warm planet-saving fuzzies for some.

Further impractical environmental sustainability spending while ignoring financial sustainability is worsening massive debt and rates increases while decreasing our ability to deal with real crises as they occur.

On top of the bureaucratic costs, the slower traffic, severe speed humps and reduced parking have all been collateral damage from DCC zero carbon 2030 ideology, with the previous DCC roading manager Nick Sargeant telling Councillors that “we have to get people out of their cars or the planet will burn.’

Cheers,

Lee

From: Ruby Shaw ruby.shaw@alliedpress.co.nz

Date: Monday, 28 April 2025 at 12:48 PM

To: Council 2022-2025 (Elected Members) council.2022-2025@dcc.govt.nz, Lee Vandervis lee@vandervision.co.nz, Mayor mayor@dcc.govt.nz

Subject: Business South and Zero Carbon Alliance

Kia ora,

I am working on an article about Business South declining the DCC’s invitation to join the Zero Carbon Alliance and wanted to give councillors an opportunity to comment on the story.

Business South chief executive Mike Collins said the organisation declined to join because it was already part of the Sustainable Business Council.

He also said the invitation was declined because the plan was “very ambitious” and there were concerns the timeframe to be zero-carbon by 2030 was too short.

He felt a 2050 goal was more appropriate.

What is your reaction to Business South declining the council’s invitation?

What impact will it have on the council and the ZCA’s sustainability goals? Is it a blow?

What do you make of Mr Collins comment that the plan is too ambitious?

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thank for your time, my deadline is 4pm today,

Ruby

Ruby Shaw

Reporter

Allied Press