12 December 2018

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: CBD issues

Enquiry

I've just caught up with Reg Hennessy with regards to his leaked letter to the mayor and council.

He has clarified for me where he is coming from and what he is asking the council to do.

We are writing a story on this issue for tomorrow's paper and would like [Mayor Steve Chadwick's] comments on what she thinks the council can do.

Clearly Reg isn't have a go at the council or [the mayor]. He's asking for some leadership to solve the problem that he says is getting worse. He wants to reclaim the central city back as the thriving tourist town it should be, not one that's got an ugly underbelly of fear created by some "street people" begging, intimidating and causing violence.

He's calling for the drop-in centre to be moved out of the CBD and I will be seeking comment from Tiny Deane.

*The reporter also sought comment from Police

Response

The following joint statement was provided to the reporter:

JOINT STATEMENT FROM:

ROTORUA MAYOR STEVE CHADWICK

ROTORUA POLICE AREA COMMANDER INSPECTOR ANARU PEWHAIRANGI

WAIARIKI MP TAMATI COFFEY

12 December 2018

Safety is a number one priority for all of us.

Rotorua Lakes Council and local police have worked together on a coordinated summer safety campaign for the central city in response to growing concern about inner city safety during recent months.

This was prompted by the results of a recent citizens satisfaction survey which was conducted by police and showed more than half of respondents, mainly women, did not feel safe in Rotorua's inner city at night.

Initiatives already being implemented in the central city include increased police and security staff during the daytime and at night, and increased monitoring of council CCTV footage. Council staff and Police have met again today [Wednesday 12 December] to finalise the plan.

We need to rid our city of this type of behaviour and we will work with police and others to achieve that result, Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick says. We don't want our inner city ruined because of criminal opportunists - whoever they may be.

Safety in the community is of paramount importance for all of us and criminal, undesirable and intimidating behaviour is totally unacceptable.

Council is working with police on actions to ensure Rotorua's inner city is a safe and enjoyable environment for residents, visitors and inner city business operators and their staff. A longer-term approach will be implemented but the busy summer period is the initial focus.

The joint approach and response will be constantly monitored and re-assessed in the New Year as Council and the Police continue working on longer-term actions.

We have created a more vibrant inner city, including work to improve safety, but having more people around can also create more opportunity for undesirable behaviour. Both Council and the police have a role in dealing with this, Mayor Chadwick says.

Rotorua Police Area Commander, Inspector Anaru Pewhairangi, says there is zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour and a swift, joint approach is being taken.

Standover tactics is criminal behaviour and there is no room for intimidation in our city.

We have been aware of growing concern about inner city safety - which has been further highlighted by the citizens survey - and are working closely with council surveillance and security staff. This provides additional surveillance coverage that is helping us to address issues that are spotted and reported and ultimately helps us apprehend offenders, Inspector Pewhairangi says.

Inner city businesses and the community can help by contacting police about concerns and by reporting incidents to police as they happen, he says. We are aware reporting incidents isn't necessarily happening and we want to reassure people that there will be a response if there is trouble.

Working together with council provides an opportunity to bring about change and we also need support from others - this is not just a police and council problem.

We've all been concerned about a concentration of anti-social behaviour and activity since the relocation of the drop-in centre and are also trying to work with the operators to eliminate those concerns. However, we can't say that the people using the drop-in centre are solely responsible for the behaviour we are seeing in the inner city. What we do know is we have a problem and we will be taking action.

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey supports the initiative.

I'm pleased to see Council and Police come together to find local solutions to deal with a problem that seems to be growing.

As MP, I fully support these initiatives and will take these initiative to my colleagues in Wellington who face similar problems in their towns and cities.

As a CBD business owner, I am also relieved that we will have increased security options in our inner city. We can't do business when our customers and staff are feeling unsafe. Heading into our peak season, it's reassuring to know there is a plan in place, Mr Coffey says.

Rotorua needs to remain a place attractive to both locals and visitors, and we all need to band together to achieve that outcome.

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Media: Te Karere

Topic: Wastewater treatment proposal

Enquiry

Reporter asked to interview a Council representative to talk about the concerns regarding the proposed discharge of treated wastewater to Lake Rotorua

The reporter also interviewed Te Tatau o Te Arawa Chair Te Taru White and a spokesperson from the Te Arawa Lakes Trust.

Response

A pre-filming session was arranged with the reporter and Infrastructure Group Manager Stavros Michael to provide background

The interview can be viewed at THIS LINK

The reporter was also provided with additional background information.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Flood review report

Enquiry

Is the council able to answer the following question in light of the release of the independent panel's report relating to the special housing area for Ngongotahā.

1. Does the report change anything in terms of the council's plans?

Response

The following information was provided:

The flood review report does not specifically impact the landowner's subdivision plans. As mentioned in our last response, the landowner is currently completing flood assessments of this area and once these are complete, Rotorua Lakes Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council will review the assessments before sending them to the Minister.

If the Minister approves the proposed subdivision as a Special Housing Area, the landowner will still need to apply for consent which will specifically address a range of issues including natural hazards such as flood risk.

The flood review report identified a range of improvements and findings that will help guide future planning and decision-making for the whole district.

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Media: National Radio

Topic: Rotorua Library and Child Health Hub

Enquiry

Reporter asked to interview library director Jane Gilbert for a story about the Rotorua Library and Child Health Hub to provide library perspective of the hub concept with Lakes District Health Board CE Ron Dunham providing DHB perspective.

Story was for the Checkpoint programme airing on National Radio between 5.30pm and 6.30pm

Response