Community news and notices

2021 Winter Energy Payment

This is an extra payment that can help people keep their homes and families warmer and healthier over winter. Those eligible don’t need to apply it will automatically be included with other payments.

Winter Energy Payment is back to normal

Last year, Winter Energy Payment was higher to help people through COVID-19. This year, it’s back to normal. Couples and people with dependent children will get $31.82 a week and single people will get $20.46 a week.

As 1 May is part-way through the pay period, people won't get the full amount in their first May payment - their second payment will be for the full amount.

If people want to opt out - or they’ve opted out and now want to start getting it – they can complete the 'Stop or restart Winter Energy Payment' online form, or call the Ministry of Social Development.

NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension

For couples getting NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension the Winter Energy Payment is paid to one person, because the payment system can’t split it across two accounts. People can switch the payment to the other person’s account by calling our Seniors line on 0800 552 002.

Seniors heading overseas over the winter months can keep getting Winter Energy Payment for up to 28 days while they’re away. People should tell us if they plan to be away for more than four weeks, otherwise they might be paid too much and have to ask for the money back.

How the Ministry of Social Development letting people know

They are emailing and writing to people to tell them they’re getting the Winter Energy Payment, but you may also like to remind people you work with about it.

There’s more information about the Winter Energy Payment on the Work and Income website.

Anglican Family Care Vacancies 

The South Otago team of Anglican Family Care have two positions currently available - a 37.5 hour Team Leader role, and 6 month long, 25 hours a week Community Worker role to cover parental leave.

Click here to view the advertisements on the website. 

Rooms for let from June at the Dunedin Community House

With Disability Information Services moving out of their rooms in Dunedin Community House on 1 June 2021 the Governance Board of DCH is inviting expressions of interest in leasing space.

The vacated space totals 68Sqm. A description is below including the rents.

Dunedin Community House is located in the centre of town - a 2 minute walk from the Octagon, adjacent to the bus hub and a large car park. Map

Dunedin Community House Inc owns the building and tenants are the members of the incorporated society.

DCH offers a low cost flexible telephone system, shared interview rooms available for use at no charge, low cost high quality printing, wifi and ethernet high speed internet for around $5 a month, a reception service five days a week to greet and orientate your visitors as well as the opportunity to build relationships with 18 non profit tenants and the over 100 organisations visiting each year.

If you aren't familiar with Dunedin Community House you are encouraged to visit to get a feel for the possibilities and working environment, you can book a tie to visit with the button below..

As there has been interest from tenants in swapping to the vacated space the rooms for let could be different - if you need office space please get in touch and we can discuss the possibilities. The spaces could start from as small as 10sqm at $147 a month plus GST.

Please submit your EOI by Monday 3 May at 10AM. There's no obligation - this is the beginning of the conversation.

For more information and for expressions of interest, please see the attachment at the end of this section.

Representation Review

What is a representation review?

Every three years elections are held for local authorities electing the mayors, councillors, and community board members. To achieve fair and effective representation at these elections, local authorities are required by the Local Electoral Act 2001 to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years.

The review is conducted by an independent panel which will consider: the number of councillors; whether they are elected from across the city ‘at large’ or from wards; whether we have community boards, if so how many, their boundaries, the number of elected board members on them and whether councillors are appointed to them. The position of Mayor is not part of the review as this role is always part of every election.

Have your say

At present Dunedin has 14 councillors and a Mayor elected from across the city (at large). There are six community boards with six elected members on each.

The review panel wants to hear your views on how many councillors there should be, whether they are elected from across the whole city or from wards or a combination of both, whether there should be community boards, if so, how many, where the board boundaries should be, the communities they should cover and how many members should be on the board.

The survey closes at 5pm on Friday 28 May 2021

Please complete the survey form and have your say.

DCC Grants Open from 12 April – 14 May 2021

The DCC’s City Service and City Project grants are now open for applications. These grants support peak bodies / key and unique organisations that provide a service no other entity does within Ōtepoti Dunedin. DCC contact people – Paul Coffey, Ruth Harrison and Mai Tamimi

The DCC’s Major Community and Premier Grants are now open for applications. These grants support events that meet the criteria set out within the city’s Festivals and Events Plan 2018 – 2023. DCC contact person – Tammy Jackman

The DCC and Otago Community Trust Hapori Māori Innovation and Development Fund is open for applications. This Fund was established by both organisations in response to COVID-19.

Contact people – Sue Stewart at Otago Community Trust, and Mai Tamimi and Ruth Harrison at the DCC.

DCC staff can be contacted on 03 477 4000.

No applications will be provided to the funding panels allocating monies unless applicants first talk with the staff who are administering these funds.

All applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 14 May 2021 to be considered in these grant rounds. 

Dunedin City Council Online Fix it Form

A reminder that the Dunedin City Council has a Fix it Form on its website which you can use to tell the DCC about any issues the DCC responsible for. The form will be forwarded to the department who can assist. 

Ethnic Communities Digital Inclusion Fund

The fund aims to ensure that ethnic communities can use digital technology to take part in Aotearoa New Zealand

For more information and to apply please click here, applications close Wednesday 28 April 2021.

Neighbourhood Matching Grant

Communities and neighbourhoods are eligible to apply for funding to support an activity that will enhance their community. Applications can be made at any time and communities are permitted to make a maximum of two applications per year. Staff endeavour to provide an answer to any application within 10 working days of receipt.

For more information and how to apply, please see the attachment at the end of this section.

Dunedin Community Accounting

The answer to your club's accounting questions. Dunedin Community Accounting is a free, volunteer service for non-profits.

Senior accountancy students from the University of Otago provide answers and practical help under the supervision of a Chartered Accountant.

For more information and to book a time, please see the attachment at the end of this section.

Funding available to support Community Organisations

Funding opportunities have been collated by the DCC to support community organisations searching for funding. While the DCC doesn’t administer any of these opportunities, the community advisors are available to support you if you have any queries. Our advisors make every effort to keep this information current. However, we recommend you visit the websites for the up-to-date information about each of the opportunities.