LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS 2022
Ross Davies
Otago Regional Council
Climate - Buses - Water - Air
Which communities will you speak for and about at the council table?
Of course, we are all responsible for the whole region, but the role description for Regional Councillor includes: bringing the views of the community into council decision-making processes; being an advocate for community group and individuals at council meetings; and balancing the need to advocate for specific interests against the needs of the wider community. Advocating for community groups is part of what we are there for. Given that I’m campaigning as clearly as possible on climate action and bus action; then expect me to be speaking for climate action groups, and bus user groups. Plus healthy water groups and healthy air groups. And environmental groups. Then there’s community groups who feel they are not being listened to by the Council – if we have common ground then I’ll help them to be heard.
What is the number one social and economic issue for the community and for the city? (DCC question). What is the key issue for the region at this time and for the next 10 years? (ORC question)
The Council has several big issues to deal with now, in the next three years and in the next ten years. But unfortunately, the key issue is going to be climate change. The sooner the Council gets to grips with it the better. At the same time the Council can’t take its attention off its environmental responsibilities, in particular the Land and Water Regional Plan which needs to be settled. Meanwhile Local Government reform is about to be unleashed where the whole local government system is likely to be rearranged, especially regional government. That’s plenty for the next three years, and even more reason for the Regional Council to hand control of the urban bus services over to the urban authorities – service delivery is a huge distraction.
How will you elevate community aspirations? How will you know what they are? (DCC question only)
Under the Local Government Act 2002, councils are required to maintain and improve opportunities for Māori to contribute to local government decision-making processes. How will you honour this obligation in your role with the Dunedin City Council/Otago Regional Council?
Yes. I like the look of the current Council partnership with manuwhenua, and will be keen to learn more about it. I hope it progresses to sitting at the Council table. I see it less as obligation and more about opportunities.
What is your usual approach to achieving collegial and constructive relationships with the people you work with? What is the most important element of a constructive working relationship?
Looking back, it’d be fair to say I started out in local government with a rush and a roar; not collegial. However, I kept getting re-elected and I learned to be better. I learned that finding common ground of any sort helps. Plus a bit of humour. But mostly, it’s trust and respect; we’re all there trying to improve things in different ways. It’s a matter of working together to do that.
The DCC's place-based community fund has been a game changer for community-led development and growing connected and resilient communities in Ōtepoti. What more will you do as a councillor to support community development in the city? (DCC candidate question only)
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