Dunedin City Council chose a two-phased review of Enterprise Dunedin, prioritizing cost-effectiveness over a comprehensive scope initially proposed by EY (formerly Ernst & Young). The initial phase, costing approximately $15,000, will focus on defining strategic priorities and assessing existing reports and stakeholder feedback. A second phase will follow, offering recommendations on governance, operational models, and implementation strategies.
Councillor Andrew Whiley, chairman of the council's economic development committee, deemed EY's initial quote of over $100,000 as prohibitive, leading to the selection of My Governance for the revised, phased approach. Councillor Lee Vandervis expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the EY quote before abstaining from a vote on the update report.
Despite the scaled-back scope, the council maintains that the primary objective—to review Enterprise Dunedin's operations—will still be met. The final report and recommendations are expected by the end of July.