16 January 2020
Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Future of Springfield Golf Club
Enquiry
I understand the council is in the process of assessing Springfield Golf Course with a view to changing it into sports fields. I am writing a story about this for this weekend's paper.
Can you please find out for me:
- Is the Council currently assessing the use of the land at Springfield Golf Course?
- Is it to do with the development of a multi-sport facility at Smallbone Park?
- Will this include any consultation with Springfield Golf Course and its community?
- Will this include any consultation with the local community?
- If the land was to be re-purposed, would it be for sports fields, a multi-sport facility or something else?
- If something else, what? And why?
- Is the Council launching a 'working group' or similar for the issue in February? Can you tell me more about this - what will such a group be and what will it do?
Response
From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:
There have been a number of reports undertaken to better understand Rotorua's sports and recreation facilities. In 2018 Council contracted two sports field and facility specialists to carry out work on the quality of fields and talk to local sports clubs to understand the current demand for field use. Smallbone Park, Ray Boord Park, the Rotorua International Stadium were just some of the sports ground areas that the specialists looked into.
This work has also resulted in upgrades to sports facilities including lighting and parking installation at Puketawhero Park and additional parking at Smallbone Park.
Also in 2017/2018 Council worked with the community to develop a Spatial Plan for Rotorua. The Spatial Plan aims to provide a picture of potential growth areas, identify key issues for the district and is a tool that helps Council to plan for the future of Rotorua. Springfield Golf Course and Smallbone Park are both discussed in the plan (see link below).
The community has been engaged throughout the process of the Spatial Plan and the sports clubs were involved in the sports field supply and demand investigations.
We are aware that there are rumours about what is planned. However, Council has no current plans for a working group and no decisions have been made about the work discussed in any of the reports or studies. Any decisions on the future direction for this area would need to be worked through and approved by elected members, and be followed by consultation with sports groups and the wider public.
Rotorua Spatial Plan - https://indd.adobe.com/view/0ce325ac-9274-4cc2-bc9b-6d9188478e1c (page 18 and 23)
Discussion at Operations and Monitoring Committee meeting - 1 November 2018 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpCyJB8NkRc (near the end of the footage - 5.36)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Appointment of elected member leads
Enquiry
Councillor Raj Kumar has made these claims:
- He was offered a councillor lead role in Sports and Recreation
- That offer was made in a meeting with the Mayor and chief executive at the Mayor's office shortly after the election.
- The Mayor said if Kumar was to take the role, he would have to renounce his membership of Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers group.
- He believed he had not received a councillor lead role because he would not resign from the RDRR.
Direct quotes:
It was based on the condition I leave the RDRR.
Kumar referred to the situation as submissive pressure.
They wanted to know if they could trust me', and trust meant that if I was still a member of the Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers group, in the RDRR, they can't trust me.
Those were the exact words you know, that they wanted to have trust' in me.
He didn't think pressure put on him by Chadwick was fair.
I think she what she should have done was probably either offer it to me or not.
[He] was not embittered toward Williams nor Chadwick, saying they were good people.
I'm not against Stevie. I respect Stevie, she's the mayor. But in this case I have been let down.
[It's] not how positive people should work, not how leadership should work.
I think Steve needs to change her way. Agreeing to disagree is healthy.
We are going to publish a story about this and invite the Mayor and Chief Executive to respond to Kumar's assertions by midday Thursday, January 16.
I have also interviewed Councillor Kumar on camera and offer the Mayor and Chief Executive the same opportunity. We can arrange this for tomorrow if so - please advise whether you would like to take this opportunity.
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
It is important to understand the process of how responsibilities for Council are determined.
The 2019 election results provided a clear mandate to continue the Rotorua 2030 vision and in forming a new team, with new councillors and community board members, I believed it was important everyone had the opportunity to put forward their ideas and aspirations.
The induction process for the new Council was very inclusive and provided opportunities to both learn about the council and to explore priorities for the next three years. During that final workshop we collectively agreed our top priorities. These were finishing what had been started and a new area - addressing the housing challenges in our district.
Unfortunately, during the induction period it became clear to me that we had a minority group of councillors who did not support the collective view of their colleagues. This has become abundantly clear in commentary made by this small group.
One of the Mayor's responsibilities is to allocate leadership roles and roles of responsibility and I met individually with councillors to understand their ambitions. The chief executive attended these meetings in an advisory capacity.
During my meeting with Cr Kumar, he made it clear he wished to take on a number of areas of responsibility. I was equally clear that responsibilities would only go to those who supported the agreed direction and priorities of the wider Council. During our discussion Cr Kumar was critical of the RDRR and its leadership and stated he was considering resigning. It would be highly nave to expect to take on leadership responsibilities while supporting policies counter to those agreed by the Council team. Cr Kumar was going to let me know his decision and failed to get back to me.
I am disappointed we have a small disaffected minority on Council. However, we do have a fantastic new Council and I'm confident that alongside Te Tatau o Te Arawa and our community boards, we will provide the leadership and direction our community has the right to expect. That is what I'm focused on.
*Mayor Chadwick also agreed to a video interview
From CE Geoff Williams:
It's my role to support the ambitions of the elected Council. The roles and responsibilities regarding members of Council is a matter for elected representatives.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Fun in the Park events
Enquiry
I'm just getting in touch as I saw on Facebook the photos from the recent Fun in the Park event and that there are a couple more coming up next week, so wondered if I would be able to get a few comments from someone appropriate to the below for a preview story?
- What will the upcoming Fun in The Park events involve?
- Why was it decided to hold these events and in these locations? Why is it important to celebrate Rotorua's parks?
- Why do you encourage the communities and families to come along?
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council Strategy Advisor Jill Campbell:
Council works closely with a number of communities on different projects such as neighbourhood reinvigoration upgrades, installation of cycleways and shared paths and the Child Equity Programme.
These projects enable Council's teams to develop partnerships with community organisations and these holidays, those partnerships have helped Council bring the fun to where the children are.
The kaupapa is all about encouraging organisations to work collaboratively to offer cool summer activities aimed at children and young people. The community groups selected the locations themselves. It's great because Fordlands and Western Heights have a high number of tamariki and rangitahi in their neighbourhoods.
There are a number of teams involved from Council including Rotorua Library and Rotorua Museum. There is also a great group of community partners getting involved such the Police, DHB, Plunket, Central Kids Early Education, Kimiora Community Trust, and both the Western Heights and Fordlands community groups. These fun, free and whānau-focussed activities get young people out of their houses and playing together. It's great to see these whānau and neighbours having fun together.
The next Fun at the Park activities will be taking place at Puller Park on Monday 20 January (11am - 2pm) and Turner Drive Reserve on Wednesday 22 January (11am - 2pm). The upcoming events will involve a giant slip n slide, give it a go on bikes, bike races, Under 5's tent with playdough, games & colouring, free BBQ sausage sizzle, library and museum services such as computer coding and crafting, music and fun.
We invite anyone to come along and join the fun with us.
