11 April 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Crash on State Highway 5
Inquiry
I am writing a story today about the car crash which occurred on State Highway 5, near Waikite Valley turn off on Sunday afternoon.
Having spoken to a few locals about the intersection where the crash has taken place I want to put a few questions forward to council.
Would you consider the stretch of road near Waiotapu Tavern a dangerous area?
Locals believe the speed around that intersection needs to be reduced, is this being looked into?
Is it correct that a petition was put forward to council in relation to having the speed reduced?
Response
Rotorua Daily Post was referred to NZTA who manage State Highways, this includes the setting of speed limits.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Cyclone cook preparation
Inquiry
- What plans does the Rotorua Lakes Council have in place with Cyclone Cook and heavy rain approaching tomorrow?
- What is being done in regards to the Rotorua Wastewater Treatement plant to stop potential overflow into the Puarenga stream again?
- What are the latest updates in regards to road closures/slips/overflowing Lakefront in Rotorua?
Response
Rotorua Daily Post was referred to the news item posted on Council's website.
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Media: Rotorua Review
Topic: Rotorua District Resident Ratepayers Annual Plan submission
Inquiry
Dropping you a line to ask for some comment from Steve to a couple of issues raised in an RDRR press release regarding the Annual Plan.
You may not be surprised to hear it's not entirely supportive of the AP. . .
I wanted to ask for Steve's comments to a couple of specific points raised.
Firstly, they suggest switching the proposed $4.5m skate park funding to help fund the museum restoration.
Secondly it's suggested the AP will result in "significant increases to Rotorua's $174m debt."
Response
It wouldn't be appropriate for the mayor to comment on an annual plan submission. We're in the formal consultation period. Submissions close 12 May, there will then be hearings for submitters who want to speak to Council about their submissions and decisions will follow.
Also to clarify, we do not have a proposed' or draft Annual Plan, we have an annual plan discussion document that outlines key proposals elected members want to include in the 2017/18 annual plan. Have you had a look at the annual plan discussion document? Rotorua Review was referred to the document online.
You'll note there is no mention in the discussion document of a proposed $4.5m skate park - that is because there is no proposal for a $4.5m skate park for inclusion in the annual plan. Options for development of skate park facilities are being explored, in collaboration with some current skate park users. This work was supported by Council following feedback received during the long term plan consultation. Once options and costings are firmed up, they will go to Council for its consideration and we aren't yet at that stage.
I can only presume that the misunderstanding about the skate park has come from THIS STORY which the Daily Post ran recently but which doesn't include the above information which we provided. Also you'll see Cr Sturt talks about getting philanthropic funding.
There is also information in the annual plan discussion document about Council debt.
Rotorua Review was also referred to information online about the key proposals in the Annual Plan discussion document.
