15 March 2021
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Tourism campaign
Enquiry
Just picking up on a question [Mayor] Steve [Chadwick] raised in the [Operations & Monitoring Committee] meeting week before last.
She asked Andrew Wilson what he thought about Tourism NZ "saying 'go to the city'".
I was wondering if she could please clarify what she means by this - is she referring to Tourism NZ's City Breaks campaign?
What are her thoughts on that campaign?
What are her thoughts on Tourism NZ's marketing efforts on domestic tourism in the Covid era more broadly? How have they helped or hindered Rotorua, in her view?
Has she communicated this with Tourism NZ and or the Government?
Response
Mayor Chadwick confirmed she had been referring to the City Breaks campaign.
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
The campaign targeted at cities is not helping the regions. We need all the help we can get and need a dispersed domestic visitor economy and yes, I have talked to the Minister for Tourism about the impact on the regions of that particular campaign. It remains crucial for Rotorua to continue working in partnership with Tourism NZ - through our CCO Rotorua Economic Development - to ensure we are well positioned to make the most of opportunities both now and in future when the borders re-open.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rimu St wastewater overflow
Enquiry
Was there a sewage spill around the Rimu St area today or yesterday?
Just had a reader inquire as there were Fulton Hogan "sucker" trucks down Tarewa Rd today and apparently they were told the spill came from Rimu St.
Response
The following information was provided:
- There was an overflow from a wastewater main at Mahoe Street today.
- Some wastewater entered a nearby stormwater drain.
- TRILITY have responded and organised to have the stormwater drain blocked to stop any further wastewater moving through the pipe, the stormwater drain was flushed and further downstream two 'sucker trucks' removed fluid from the stormwater drain to ensure any further wastewater didn't reach the Utuhina Stream.
- It is likely that a minimal amount of wastewater entered the Utuhina stream prior to the above actions being put in place.
- Toi Te Ora Public Health have been notified and there are currently no restrictions in place for the stream or Lake Rotorua.
- Staff are awaiting a report to find out the cause of the overflow. However, it is suspected to be a foreign object (e.g. a towel, a toy) in the pipe which has caused a blockage resulting in the overflow.
- Further investigation (CCTV) will be undertaken to determine the cause.
- Blockages often occur when people put things into the wastewater system that they shouldn't. It's important that the only thing going into the wastewater system is toilet paper.