13 February 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Raggamuffin
Inquiry
I'm writing a story about Raggamuffin and Andrew McManus. He put out a press release last week announcing it's postponed until November, and that he's also looking at options to host the event outside of Auckland.
The council said no to hosting the event in February due to a busy schedule, but I'm just after a response regarding:
- Is the council open to hosting Raggamuffin in Rotorua again later in the year? Would it work with McManus? Why/why not?
Response
Response from Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley:
Rotorua Lakes Council is currently fully committed in terms of events and event attraction at that time.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Annual Plan Forum - short-term accommodation
Inquirym
Just trying to find out some information about a meeting either Wednesday or Thursday regarding Air bnB noise complaints and regulations around accommodation like Air BnB.
A letter by Reynold on the RDRR's facebook page talks about it.
Can you let me know what this is about, if it is looking at compliance and regulations around accommodation like BnB and if there's an agenda floating around we can take a look at?
Further questions
- The issue of accommodation in residential areas is coming up for discussion at the annual plan workshop - why is this?
- Has the council received complaints around accommodation like AirBnB and Book a Bach operating in residential areas? If so, roughly how many?
- What is the nature of these complaints (noise/rating issues/regulations)?
- Is the council considering tightening regulations on these?
- What role does the council have, if any, in regulating where accommodation like this can operate from?
- Is the council considering different rating options around these?
- I understand this is simply a workshop - what is the process from here and when will any firm decisions be made and implemented?
- is this the only item to be discussed at the annual plan workshop? If not, what others are being considered?
Response
The topic is coming up for discussion at an annual plan workshop but that's only for elected members.
Further response
The increase in short-term holiday rentals is an issue several councils have been dealing with in recent years and the matter is coming up for discussion tomorrow [Wednesday] at an Annual Plan forum for elected members.
It is the second of four forums which are an opportunity for elected members to have preliminary discussions that will guide the development of a draft 2017/18 Annual Plan. Once finalised, the draft plan will go out to the community before being finalised by Council.
Annual plans are how councils deliver long-term plans (LTPs). An annual plan identifies activities, projects, priorities and budgets and sets rates for the financial year to which the plan relates.
The 2017/18 Annual Plan is due to be adopted at the end of June this year. It will be year three of the 2015-2025 Long-term Plan, which was adopted by Council in July 2015.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Hydrothermal eruption - Ohinemutu dredging
Inquiry
Have spoken to local woman Lani Kereopa who says a lack of dredging in the area has affected the lagoon and is causing more eruptions.
Apparently the community has asked TALT and RLC why there is no dredging being done...But, I have spoken to Brad Scott at GNS who says the eruptions are not based within the lagoon and the main vent is in the main body of the lake.
Response
Rotorua Daily Post was advised that Rotorua Lakes Council does not have anyone on staff who can discuss the science behind the eruptions - Council staff are in an operational capacity only.
Further response
Rotorua Lakes Council Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley was unaware of any approach to the council regarding dredging of the lagoon at Ohinemutu but said he would be happy to speak with the Ohinemutu community about this.
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Media: Maori Television
Topic: Hydrothermal eruption
Inquiry
I would like to know if council plans to do something about the eruptions, i.e safety signs or maybe look at dredging the stream due to the sand blocking the streams water flow into the lake.
Response
Rotorua Lakes Council Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley says he would be happy to speak with the Ōhinemutu community about this.
