A ratepayers’ group in Dunedin has been reborn and its new committee is pledging to keep the city council honest.
More than 25 people attended last night’s first meeting of the Dunedin Ratepayers and Householders Association in almost a decade, at the Southern Rugby Club.
Its chairman, Lyndon Weggery, had said ratepayers needed an effective pressure group and a committee of six was initially voted in.
He had also been chairman when the group wound down in 2013.
New committee member David Thomson wanted to stir up the Dunedin City Council, as he believed money was being wasted on some projects.
Jennifer Thomas, of Mosgiel, said things seemed to have gone downhill since the days of the former Mosgiel borough council.
Tony Cummings said the past few years from "city hall" had been disappointing.
"If you don’t do something about it, you let the loonies run it," Mr Cummings said.
She joined the revived group’s committee.
"I just want things to get better," she said. "Let’s make Dunedin thrive again."
Pablo Dennison was voted in, but was not at the meeting.
Several people at the meeting complained about car parking in the city.
The Dunedin Ratepayers and Householders Association was led for many years by Syd Adie.
He stood down in 2009.
The association’s goals include keeping the council accountable and acting as a conduit between the council and concerned citizens.
It also intends to host public council and mayoral candidate meetings before this year’s election and to present views at the council’s public forums.
It is understood five more people were voted on to the committee at the end of the meeting.
