16 January 2019

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Beggars in suburbs and CBD summer safety campaign

Enquiry

I'm just following up on some comments I've seen from people online about beggers in the suburbs in Rotorua. They are saying it's great there's some traction with safety in the CBD but they'd like to see the council and police clamp down on people begging for money and cigarettes etc at shopping centres in the suburbs.

Can someone please let me know if the police and council's summer safety plan is impacting the suburbs, if at all (not sure if it extends that far) and specifically whether the council would consider a begging ban similar to Tauranga.

We have asked this question before (November) and mayor Steve Chadwick responded (see attached) but we are asking again in case anything has changed. No problem if the response is similar.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=12163984

Response

The joint police/council summer safety campaign is for the CBD (central city plus Kuirau Park, lakefront and Government Gardens). It doesn't extend to the suburbs.

There's nothing further in terms of consideration of a bylaw from what was provided to you in November. Council has been in recess since December and the first round of meetings isn't until February so that would be the first opportunity for them to discuss anything as a council.

However, here is some fresh comment from the mayor.

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

People are focussed on this as a begging issue but this is actually about intimidating and aggressive behaviour by some which is making people feel unsafe, and I can't stress enough that that type of behaviour should always be reported to the police so it can be dealt with.

Council will continue to work with police and other relevant agencies to address issues that arise in our community and look for solutions that will work.

Police, who were also approached for comment, made the following key points:

Rotorua Police are committed to working with local council and partner agencies to look at how we can reduce victimisations together and make Rotorua a safer place for all.

Police meet regularly with community partners to discuss issues of homelessness and begging in our community. This includes the relevant social agencies, whose role is to provide assistance and support, while addressing the issues that motivate people to solicit money on the street.

Whilst begging is not an offence in Rotorua, Police would strongly encourage anyone who feels threatened or unsafe due to antisocial behaviour to notify us immediately, so we can respond as appropriate.

Police continue to work with the council and relevant social agencies to provide assistance and support to address the issues that motivate people to beg.

While Police and council prefer to work with these people to get them the assistance they need, if they act in a manner so as to intimidate or threaten community members, Police will take action.

________________________________________________________________________________

Media: Stuff

Topic: Rotorua lakefront development

Enquiry

Local Stuff reporter working on an article for the Sunday Star Times re the lakefront development requested an interview with Mayor Chadwick (which was arranged for the following day) and sent the following questions to Council:

I note there are plans to bring the tourism operators at the lakefront into one building - has this been welcomed by the operators in question?

I'd also be interested in the stages that took place before the concept plan was agreed. For example were designers and architects asked to pitch designs? How did the current proposals get picked?

I'm also interested in the process that goes into applying for investment from the Provincial Growth Fund. To that end I'd like to ask how that process works? How do you formulate a business plan that is robust enough to meet the criteria for investment - how hard is that process?

Reporter said he also spoken to lakefront operators and sent the following questions to Council's economic development CCO Destination Rotorua:

Does [CE] Michelle [Templer] think the planned development will give the wider Rotorua tourism offer a boost?

Plans were announced a while ago for the Wai Ariki spa at the lakefront, does Michelle think the wider development may make the location, and the wider area, more attractive to private business ventures?

Lastly, it's been suggested to me that the development might help with a wider aim to encourage quality rather than quantity in our tourism appeal - ie bigger spenders who will stay longer. Does Michelle think that may be correct?

Response

The following information was provided:

Yes [the project does have support from lakefront operators] but if you want more than that can I suggest you go and speak to them as the mayor will not be wanting to speak on their behalf.

Re design process: Three of New Zealand's top waterfront designers were invited to pitch a concept and Isthmus were selected.

In furthering their concept they reviewed all previous reports, design proposals, community consultation and work done re proposed development of the lakefront dating back to 2006. They took into consideration changes that have occurred since then including district aspirations (2030), weather changes and impacts, inner city development/changes (eg Eat Streat) and development proposals eg Ngati Whakaue lakefront spa development.

They also sought cultural advice and incorporated Rotorua's stories, cultural aspects and iwi aspirations.

You may recall there was quite a lengthy presentation to council around the concept design and all the considerations that went into it so you may want to revisit that to refresh your memory. I can send you link if you need it, just let me know.

Re PGF application process: You can find information re the PGF at the website:

https://www.growregions.govt.nz/about-us/the-provincial-growth-fund/

From DR CE Michelle Templer:

Rotorua's Lakefront is a focal point for the city. It's a place where locals gather and a key destination for visitors to the district. The $40m investment will create a space that everyone can enjoy, and will also help to unlock Rotorua's full potential as a world-class tourism destination.

The development will also create hundreds of jobs. A recent economic analysis report suggested that the Lakefront and Whakarewarewa Forest projects together could create more than 600 jobs and spark $370m in private investments.

There are a number of exciting developments underway in Rotorua at the moment, including the Lakefront and Forest projects, the Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa and the five-star Pullman Hotel. These projects are all signs of a vibrant, growing local economy, which helps to build business confidence and attract new investment.