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A once popular entertainment venue has sat idle for five years since the Dunedin City Council bought it due to fears it would be torn down.
The council bought the Sammy’s building on Crawford St for $128,000 in January 2017, but it did not own the land.
The building opened as the Majesty … View moreA once popular entertainment venue has sat idle for five years since the Dunedin City Council bought it due to fears it would be torn down.
The council bought the Sammy’s building on Crawford St for $128,000 in January 2017, but it did not own the land.
The building opened as the Majesty Theatre in 1897 and its stage was once graced by Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.
In more recent years, under the ownership of Sam Chin, it became known as a music venue, hosting acts including The Pogues, Violent Femmes, Hunters & Collectors, and Pavement.
The venue's management ran into difficulties in 2016 when a liquor licence was declined, and it was put on the market – initially for $240,000.
The council confirmed its ownership of the site in February 2017, with then councillor (and now mayor) Aaron Hawkins saying: “Sammy's has played a huge role in Dunedin's social and cultural history, so it's exciting for our community to be able to start thinking about its future.”
The building had been at risk of being torn down, and it was envisaged at the time of the purchase that it would become an anchor tenant for the city’s Warehouse Precinct.
It was one of four venues initially mooted as a possible future performing arts centre along with the Athenaeum, the former Fortune Theatre and the Mayfair Theatre.
A feasibility study noted Sammy's was one of the larger spaces, potentially seating up to 400 people, but had the highest estimated cost – up to $38 million.
That was more than twice the estimated amount of the preferred option of the Octagon-based Athenaeum, which was not owned by the council.
A council spokesman said no decisions had been made regarding the future of Sammy’s, or the Fortune Theatre, which closed in 2018 and was also owned by the council.
“While these two venues have been ruled out as proposed new theatre sites, the council will not be considering any recommendations on their future until the council has decided on the new performing arts centre.”
That wasn’t good enough for music venue advocate Scott Muir, manager of The Chills and on the board of Independent Music New Zealand, who was “very disappointed”.
“The rhetoric around the reasons for purchasing Sammy’s centred around saving the music venue and now it simply seems to be a case of demolition by neglect – something DCC councillors have been happy to level at private business developers when it suits them.”
The same could easily be said of the neglect of the old Fortune Theatre building, he said.
The city was well catered with multipurpose theatre spaces, but was lacking a music venue with capacity for 500 to 800 people.
‘’The opportunity to leverage off the cities rich musical heritage and youth population bubble could easily be incorporated into a development in this space,’’ Muir said.
Hi neighbours,
We live in unusual times. It all gets a bit much some days. So we're bringing you a much-needed dose of positivity to remind you that there's inspiration, kindness and quirkiness out there too.
You can check out today's edition of The Antidote - which features a cute… View moreHi neighbours,
We live in unusual times. It all gets a bit much some days. So we're bringing you a much-needed dose of positivity to remind you that there's inspiration, kindness and quirkiness out there too.
You can check out today's edition of The Antidote - which features a cute puppy, the UK's longest-married couple, and Stewart Island's "savage" New Year's Eve here. If you'd like the Antidote delivered direct to your inbox, sign up here.
Two Dunedin residents say the city council should be doing more to notify owners about seized vehicles, after both were left blindsided and out-of-pocket.
Edward Ulberg’s car, a silver Nissan Bluebird, was towed from its parking spot on Dunedin’s Manor Pl, after it was classified as abandoned … View moreTwo Dunedin residents say the city council should be doing more to notify owners about seized vehicles, after both were left blindsided and out-of-pocket.
Edward Ulberg’s car, a silver Nissan Bluebird, was towed from its parking spot on Dunedin’s Manor Pl, after it was classified as abandoned and impounded.
The former city resident has been unable to return from Melbourne to New Zealand due to the Covid-19 outbreak, and a friend had been looking after his vehicle – until it disappeared. "We had no idea who had taken the car.’’
A letter notifying the Australian-based Ulberg never reached him, nor did he see his car listed in a public notice published in the Otago Daily Times on Saturday. It took Stuff several minutes to track down Ulberg, who replied a few hours later.
"They need to do a better job at tracking owners down and not assume something has been abandoned...this is ridiculous because they’re probably going to charge me towing fees.’’
Ulberg said he had since contacted council and was told he would be charged almost $2000, if he wanted the vehicle, which he estimated was worth twice that.
But even if he signed the ownership over he would still have to pay $400 infringement fees.
That’s also a decision facing a Dunedin student, who was also tracked down by Stuff.
In late November, a suspected drunk driver smashed into the back of her Volkswagon Golf, which she had parked at Prospect Park due to the shortages of parks in the student area where she lived. The car, which had cost the Dunedin student $3500, had only been driven three times. The incident left the uninsured car with structural damage, and it was effectively written-off, the student, who declined to be named, said.
Her woes continued when on Crate Day she found the parked car had all of its windows smashed, and the weapon of choice – a large branch – had been left inside the vehicle.
The woman headed to Central Otago to pick fruit over summer, with the parked vehicle left on Queens Dr, Dunedin. "I was going to get my dad to take it home."
She had no idea the car had been flagged and stickered as an abandoned vehicle, and was not aware she had received a letter to her Dunedin flat saying it would be seized until it was effectively too late. "No-one my age does mail, I’ve never got a letter in my life... that is my first letter.’’
It annoyed her that the car could now be sold for parts, and the council may benefit from the sale.
She had called the council on the morning her car was towed from its parking spot, and was told the tow truck driver would call her back. "He's never called me.’’
Last year the council returned four vehicles to the registered owners, of the 30 vehicles impounded, council compliance solutions manager Ros MacGill said. If a vehicle remains unclaimed two adverts are placed, seven days apart, advising the car had been considered abandoned and impounded. If the vehicle remains unclaimed, it is then disposed of via a tender process.
MacGill said most abandoned vehicles impounded and disposed are of low value.
The council does not seek to make a profit from the disposal of these vehicles but does try to cover its costs, which include impounding and storage costs.
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"Self-image is fate... … View more🥇 For adults the most important value is that placed in oneself.
🔮 Personal Development is an effective facilitator to grow how much one is being valued by oneself. This is of foundational importance because:
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Much gratitude - www.DreamBigNewZealand.co.nz...
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Hi Neighbour,
How well do you know your customers? That might seem like a redundant question but let’s dig a little deeper.
Do you know their age? Their income? The values that resonate with them? Where do they live? Do they have a family? How do they like to spend their spare time?
As … View moreHi Neighbour,
How well do you know your customers? That might seem like a redundant question but let’s dig a little deeper.
Do you know their age? Their income? The values that resonate with them? Where do they live? Do they have a family? How do they like to spend their spare time?
As you answer these questions (and as many others as you can come up with) you’ll start to build clear customer personas that will help you tailor the experience you provide to fit the needs of your customers.
We’ve got a whole series of bite-sized videos on customer personas and customer experience waiting for you over on our website, so if 2022 is the year you take your business to the next level head on over and get started today!
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A highway linking Dunedin to its port is down to one lane after a sinkhole opened up.
The small hole appeared in the northbound lane of State Highway 88 at Ravensbourne this week.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency senior network manager Chris Harris said the hole, which was over a highway … View moreA highway linking Dunedin to its port is down to one lane after a sinkhole opened up.
The small hole appeared in the northbound lane of State Highway 88 at Ravensbourne this week.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency senior network manager Chris Harris said the hole, which was over a highway culvert next to Moller Park, was being monitored.
The culvert had also been visually inspected through security cameras.
“This information is critical to ensuring an effective and lasting repair for those who rely on this busy highway.”
To minimise disruptions to motorists, temporary traffic signals were operating until further notice.
Contractors would remove the road surface on Monday to undertake further investigations.
“We understand the importance of having both lanes of the highway operating in this area, and our contractors are committed to making this happen as quickly as practical,” Harris said.
Waka Kotahi thanked motorists for their patience and for following the temporary speed limits to ensure everyone’s safety, he said.
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Only a few units or ‘bubbles’ have been used as self-isolation quarantine facilities (SIQ) in the Southern District Health Board area so far.
The DHB currently manages 30 scalable ‘bubbles’ across Otago and Southland that can be used by those needing to self-isolate due to Covid-19 … View moreOnly a few units or ‘bubbles’ have been used as self-isolation quarantine facilities (SIQ) in the Southern District Health Board area so far.
The DHB currently manages 30 scalable ‘bubbles’ across Otago and Southland that can be used by those needing to self-isolate due to Covid-19 exposure.
The bubbles include the former Aaron Lodge Holiday Park in Dunedin, which has capacity for 100 beds.
The premises had been purchased by Kāinga Ora, and was being leased short-term by the DHB for use as an SIQ facility.
The Southern area also had two SIQ units in Invercargill, six in Queenstown and five in Dunedin on top of the lodge, Public Health South Community SIQ coordination manager Pete Whalley said.
Only the Invercargill units had housed positive cases so far: crew members from the Mattina container ship, which docked in Bluff in July.
Health officials began testing the 21 crew members on the Mattina soon after it arrived at South Port in Bluff, after being notified that two of the members had flu-like symptoms.
Wedding nuptials have been postponed, cancelled and overturned for the last 18 months due to Covid-19 restrictions – leaving the wedding industry feeling the pinch.
Weddings and elopements in New Zealand hit an all-time low in 2020 and have not picked up since.
The number of non-Kiwis getting … View moreWedding nuptials have been postponed, cancelled and overturned for the last 18 months due to Covid-19 restrictions – leaving the wedding industry feeling the pinch.
Weddings and elopements in New Zealand hit an all-time low in 2020 and have not picked up since.
The number of non-Kiwis getting married in New Zealand is not available, but the number of Kiwis getting married or entering civil unions dropped 20 per cent between 2018 and 2020 – from 20,949 to 16,779.
Marriage numbers in New Zealand have been in decline since the 1960s, but Covid-19 has stopped us from being a wedding and elopement destination for overseas couples too.
Wedding planners in the Queenstown Lakes District are getting only 10 to 25 per cent of their usual business at this time of year. Continue reading here.
David Hullah was touring the South Island in a campervan when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway.
“She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
She believed that site was Seacliff, about 25 kilometres north of Dunedin and home to an enchanted forest and a former … View moreDavid Hullah was touring the South Island in a campervan when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway.
“She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
She believed that site was Seacliff, about 25 kilometres north of Dunedin and home to an enchanted forest and a former lunatic asylum.
The 500-bed psychiatric hospital was once the largest building commissioned in New Zealand, but is also remembered as the site where 37 women died in a fire on the night of December 8, 1942.
But Hullah's relative was not one of those women.
His mother, Margaret Wells, who is in her mid-90s and lives in Australia, told her son of their relative's death as he drove towards Seacliff in March 2020, just before the first Covid-19 lockdown.
Wells was a young child when her favourite aunt, Peggy McInnes – who was actually her much older cousin – suddenly stopped visiting their Dunedin home.
Years later, she was told McInnes had been murdered.
Hullah said he knew McInnes used to work as a nurse at Seacliff, and was murdered by a spurned former boyfriend who later killed himself in the hospital’s grounds, now home to a reserve.
The story was eerily similar to another that unfolded in the tiny township in 2016, when Stephen Findlay killed neighbour Sharon Comerford before turning his gun on himself in the grounds of the reserve.
Findlay survived and in 2017 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 11 years.
McInnes’ murder actually happened at Orokonui Hospital, a former psychiatric hospital about halfway between Dunedin and Seacliff, on August 24, 1928.
A newspaper report, headlined ‘Driven Insane By Jealousy’, said McInnes, a 25-year-old nurse, had recently been transferred from Seacliff to Orokonui.
But it was at Seacliff where McInnes had first met Thomas Ellis, a 35-year-old Dunedin bricklayer, who was working on a new kitchen building at the site.
The pair courted for several months before the tragedy happened in the grounds of the Orokonui Hospital.
Ellis visited McInnes at her new workplace after hearing their relationship was over. McInnes later left work at 8pm, wearing her uniform under a brown coat.
Later that evening, a staff member heard groans coming from the hospital grounds. They found Ellis wandering about with his throat cut.
Ellis died at the scene, and police were then tasked with finding a missing nurse: McInnes.
Several hours later they made a grim discovery.
McInnes was found lying on a blanket under a large pine tree. Her face had been bashed in, and her throat was cut.
The murder weapons – a pen knife and a stone wrapped in a handkerchief – were found nearby.
Tellingly, police found a note in Ellis’ pocket. The note, sent by McInnes, indicated she would meet him at a prearranged time and date.
A colleague of McInnes later told an inquest the young nurse was deciding between two men, including Ellis, whom she was lukewarm on.
The pair had earlier been spotted arguing at a dance at Seacliff after Ellis – later described in a report by the Otago Daily Times as a “tall, thin, dark man” – saw her dancing with other men.
“The facts of this sad tragedy are only too plain,” the coroner said.
“It is obvious that Nurse Mclnnes was murdered by Ellis who then cut his throat.”
David Hullah was touring the South Island when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway. “She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
Hamish McNeilly investigates two tragedies; the brutal murder of André Jose on Stewart Island in 1927, and the devastating fire at the… View moreDavid Hullah was touring the South Island when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway. “She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
Hamish McNeilly investigates two tragedies; the brutal murder of André Jose on Stewart Island in 1927, and the devastating fire at the former Seacliff Lunatic Asylum in 1942, over on The Mish - check it out (and sign up) here.
David Hullah was touring the South Island when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway. “She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
Hamish McNeilly investigates two tragedies; the brutal murder of André Jose on Stewart Island in 1927, and the devastating fire at the… View moreDavid Hullah was touring the South Island when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway. “She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
Hamish McNeilly investigates two tragedies; the brutal murder of André Jose on Stewart Island in 1927, and the devastating fire at the former Seacliff Lunatic Asylum in 1942, over on The Mish - check it out (and sign up) here.
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