[!ai]
Provides a cautious response, acknowledging SPOKES’ achievements while stating he cannot provide clear measurable responses without access to council information post-election. He emphasizes understanding investment returns before further development, expresses ambition to attract cycle tourists to Dunedin as a starting point for regional trails, and commits to examining all opportunities within available budgets to invest ratepayers’ contributions wisely.
Ki ora Devonia,
First and foremost you and the SPOKES community should be very proud of the recent progress our city (with help of people like yourselves) have made in supplying better active transport options to our residents, tourists and visitors. Not only has the city (and SPOKES) created and invested a considerable amount of time, money and input to reach the current level of improvements, we now have a very exciting base to continue this momentum.
As I sit here outside of council, it is difficult for me to provide you a clear and measurable response to your 3 questions without obtaining the necessary information that’s only available around a new council table post October 12.
Like any investment, it is crucial for an organisation to understand how the investment has been realised, based around the intended return. Once this is understood and confirmed, then we should look to build these assets(s) towards the outcome they deserve. In terms of ambition, I would love more investment made towards attracting cycle tourists to Dunedin to then link up with the growing network of trails that now surround us. We in a way need to become the starting point for this journey while hopefully increasing ‘bed nights’ at the same time.
It should be everyone’s priority to improve each other’s lives and promote a city’s ambition to reach its full potential. Unfortunately though there are many variables, restraints, budgets and barriers that need to be understood before the best decision can be made for all of us. I hope to be that person who will look at all opportunities matched with the budgets available and then the best way forward to invest our ratepayers precious contribution.
I look forward to more and more people using our ‘active transport’ investments. The increase in participation can only help more time and resources being allocated.
Thanks again for your time.
Paul Williams (biker, walker and driver)