That was the ultimatum laid down by Otago University Students’ Association president Liam White at the city council’s draft nine-year plan hearings yesterday.
Mr White - who was joined by OUSA political representative Jett Groshinski - told the council there was nothing in the plan to address the rental crisis facing students and little acknowledgement of the coming student growth.
‘‘Growth is coming, whether the city plans for it or not.
‘‘If council doesn’t take the lead, the market will.
‘‘We’ve already seen what happens when market forces operate unchecked: skyrocketing rents, poor-quality flats and neighbourhoods under pressure.’’
The University of Otago wants the student population to grow to 24,000 fulltime-equivalent students by 2030 - which would be an increase of more than 25% on the present student numbers.
But Mr White said the council needed to take heed of the competition.
‘‘When students choose where to live and study, they’re not just comparing degrees, they’re comparing cities - right now, many are choosing Christchurch.
‘‘Why? Because it offers better-connected infrastructure, a thriving creative scene, more modern housing and clearer climate leadership.
‘‘If Dunedin doesn’t invest, if we don’t compete, we will continue to lose students, talent and future ratepayers.’’
Mr White said the council could expand healthy homes compliance checks, which were ‘‘well within’’ the council’s regulatory responsibilities.
‘‘Too many students still live in housing that fails to meet legal minimum standards.
‘‘Education is important, but enforcement is just as critical.’’
Mr White also called for the council to revive the tertiary precinct planning group, which used to bring together city council staff, the university, OUSA and local landlords to co-ordinate on issues affecting the student quarter.
‘‘That group hasn’t met in years, and with thousands more students on the way, it’s time to bring everyone back around the table.’’
Other initiatives the council should seriously consider included increasing climate change-related investment and indexing community grants to inflation, he said.
Cr Christine Garey asked Mr White what could be done about students who were ‘‘too scared’’ to report issues with landlords and rentals.
Mr White said it was a complicated issue, as many students were unaware of their rights.
‘‘Students shouldn’t be expected to be residential lawyers - a rental warrant of fitness would go a long way to addressing the issues.’’
He said a lot of students ‘‘felt intimidated’’ by the rules and requirements of renting.
Cr Lee Vandervis asked Mr White whether he was aware most of the rules and responsibilities of tenancies lay with central government legislation and not with the council.
Mr White said there was still an opportunity for the council to ‘‘act smart’’ at a local level and it needed to respond to student needs.
Cr Kevin Gilbert asked Mr White about the issue of broken glass throughout the student quarter.
Mr White agreed more regulation was needed in this area, along with building up a relationship of trust between the students, broader community and city council.
