17 January 2020
Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Homeless at Motutara Point (Sulphur Point)
Enquiry
I am writing a story about homeless people being shifted from Sulphur Point.
I understand they have been advised by Watchdog Security on behalf of the Council that they are not allowed to stay overnight, but tourists are.
They also say animal control has visited and moved some people on for having dogs.
Can you please tell me:
- Are homeless people being moved along from Sulphur Point?
- If so, why?
- Does the council include homeless people among 'freedom campers'?
- Are tourists still allowed to camp at Sulphur Point?
- How does Council determine the difference between locals, homeless and tourists?
- Is Sulphur Point a no dogs area? If so, does that include dogs in cars?
- The homeless people I have spoken to say they have nowhere else to go and feel bullied by the Council. Does the Council have a response to this?
I welcome any further comment that may be relevant to this situation.
Response
From Rob Pitkethley, Council's Kaihautū Mahi Rēhia | Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager:
Council is not seeking out or targeting homeless people and has not instructed council or Watchdog Security staff to do so, or to move homeless people on from Motutara Point (also known as Sulphur Point).
We have reinforced this with Watchdog Security since being alerted to the incident you refer to. We were previously unaware of this.
Council continues to work with local organisations and agencies who are on hand and available to help people who are homeless and we encourage them to make use of these services. Council and Watchdog Security staff also provide information in the form of a flyer which outlines where people can go for help.
When complaints are received from the public the council has an obligation to respond and we have responded to complaints about mess, anti-social behaviour and the presence of dogs at Motutara Point. Dogs are not permitted there (as per the Rotorua Township Reserves Management Plan 2006).
We have had to move on people found camping in Sanatorium Reserve because it is dangerous - it poses both personal health risks to them due to the hydrogen sulphide gases in this active geothermal reserve and it poses a potential public health risk due to the lack of public toilets in this area.
Re freedom campers
Rotorua has a good selection of holiday parks and there are also several designated freedom camping areas. These are filled to capacity at this time of year and Council has temporarily allowed some spillover to Motutara Point, where there are toilet facilities available, to ensure people don't simply move to places where there are no such facilities and create a public health issue. We also recognise that a number of those staying overnight at Motutara Point are homeless people.
We provide information about local holiday parks to people found freedom camping in non-designated areas and encourage them to move to a holiday park. However, some will not so it's a balancing act for us during the height of the holiday season.
Council encourages responsible camping in the Rotorua district and has introduced a programme that uses Camping Ambassadors to engage with and educate travellers.
*You'll find more information about the ambassador programme and about responsible camping in general in our district at THIS LINK on Council's website
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Dansey Road seal
Enquiry
I have just received a message from a Mamaku resident saying new seal laid down on Dansey Rd on Tuesday has been peeling off since yesterday. She said roading crews are only spray painting over the road to remedy the problem while tar and stones are getting stuck on cars. She says the problem is at it's worst about 3pm in the afternoon.
Could I please have the following confirmed / answered:
What sealing work was carried out on Dansey Rd this week?
Where on the road was it done?
Have crews noticed problems with the seal since it was complete?
If so, what have they done about these problems or plan to do?
Does this mean the job will be more expensive for the council and by how much?
How many complaints has the council had about the sealing this week?
Anything else you would like to add is welcome.
Response
The following information was provided:
What sealing work was carried out on Dansey Rd this week?
On Tuesday this week, Council's resealing contractor carried out resealing of a section of Dansey Rd between State Highway 5 and Tarukenga Rd.
Where on the road was it done?
On the section of Dansey Rd between State Highway 5 and Tarukenga Rd.
Have crews noticed problems with the seal since it was complete?
Council's professional services consultants and engineers WSP inspected the Dansey Rd site on Thursday this week and the new seal was found to be intact and performing satisfactorily and as per normal for a new seal. No quality issues were identified.
If so, what have they done about these problems or plan to do?
No quality issues were identified. As such the line marking has been reinstated and the site is due to be swept again to remove any loose sealing chip.
Does this mean the job will be more expensive for the council and by how much?
No. The new seal was found to be intact and performing satisfactorily and as per normal for a new seal. No quality issues were identified. If any problems were identified, the resealing contractor has a 12 month maintenance period on the reseal sites. If any quality-related issues arise during this period it must be rectified by the contractor at no cost to Council.
How many complaints has the council had about the sealing this week?
Council has received 4 complaints this week; 2 were related to pre-seal repair activities and 2 related to the resealing of the Dansey Rd site.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Effects of hydrogen sulphide
Enquiry
Initial enquiry:
- I was just wondering what restrictions and regulations are in place regarding bore/geothermal heating?
- What advice does the council give to property owners in terms of protecting it?
- What areas are considered high sulphur areas?
Subsequent clarification after a request for context to ensure the right information was provided:
Hi there, sorry I forgot the context.
I am doing a story on the effect of sulphur on homes and household property.
Response
The following information and comment was provided:
See information from Council staff below in response to your enquiry, but a couple of important things to note first please:
Sulphur is the yellow, solid, stuff that forms on/in the ground in geothermal areas
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) is the chemical compound/gas that is corrosive and can cause damage to building materials/homes and household items.
Our responses assume that when you refer to the effect of sulphur on homes and household property you are talking about the corrosive effects of Hydrogen Sulphide.
Let me know if that needs further clarification/explanation.
If you haven't already done so, as discussed with you by phone earlier, please check facts relating to what is and isn't allowed in terms of geothermal heating with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council which, as I explained, is responsible for the management and regulation of geothermal resources.
From Darrell Holder, Rotorua Lakes Council Manager Building Services, Planning & Development Solutions:
There are requirements relating to durability in the Building Code, so we apply that lens when a structure is proposed in a geothermal hot spot - as defined by New Zealand building standards. We discuss this with the applicant to ensure suitable design considerations are made to mitigate the effects of hydrogen sulphide on building elements and to occupants of buildings.
However, other areas in Rotorua city that are not necessarily defined as a hot spot are susceptible to the effects of hydrogen sulphide so our advice would be for anyone building here to consider that when determining what materials and building methodology to use.
For your reference:
See below link to the relevant part of the Building Code:
Council uses Section 4 - Durability of the New Zealand standards for timber-framed buildings to define what a geothermal hot spot is [Hot spots are defined as being within 50m of a bore, mud pool, steam vent or other source]
Please note that a geothermal hot spot as referred to in Darrell's information, may not be in an area of high sulphur (see definition of geothermal hot spots in that excerpt from the NZ Standards that Darrell provided)
Areas with a generally higher level of hydrogen sulphide include (according to Council's geothermal inspector Peter Brownbridge):
Parts of Marguerita St, the area extending around the Pak n Save intersection, parts of Eruera St, parts of Ngapuna, parts of Wylie, Gwendoline and Sophia streets, parts of Whakarewarewa, Motutara Point (also known as Sulphur Point) and parts of the areas around the Government Gardens.
Parts of Lynmore can at times be affected by increased levels of airborne hydrogen sulphide.
Western Heights is probably the least affected (due to wind conditions in Rotorua being predominantly from the West).
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Building consents
Enquiry
May I please have the number of building consents issued in December 2019?
I am requesting:
- The number of residential and commercial consents issued in December 2019
- The value of each consent issued
- What the consents was issued for
What date each consent was issued
Response
Data was provided [see HERE], along with additional information/clarification as below:
Please note that any descriptions in the spreadsheet in lower case mean that this is an amendment to a building consent already issued.
Also for your information please note the difference between a consent granted and a consent issued.
- Granted = when the consent processing is finished (prior to 20 working days) and RLC has approved consent.
- Issued = when the consent is issued to the agent or owner. There can be some delay between granting and issuing. This can be due a number of reasons such as owners/agents waiting to secure builders prior to paying the final invoice.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Concern about tree in Neil Hunt Park
Enquiry
I have been speaking with a Ngapuna resident who has concerns about a tree he believes is a potential danger to life. The tree is in Neil Hunt Park, by a playground.
I have been to the site and it does appear roots are lifting out of the ground. The resident, a former farmer who has also worked in forestry, says the soft ground under the tree's roots is also a concern. A number of branches have fallen from the tree in high winds recently, too.
The resident says he contacted the council about this tree about three weeks ago and it had not yet been addressed.
A picture of the tree in question is attached.
Can you please tell me:
- Is this tree dangerous?
- Has the council received queries or complaints from the council about this tree, and if so how many?
- Is any action being taken by the council about this tree?
- Has a cordon around the tree been considered?
Response
From Acting Operations Group Manager Craig Tiriana:
As you've indicated you can't extend the deadline because it is planned for Monday's paper we are unable to provide commentary because as we explained, the staff involved in Council's tree management programme are away today.
We have been able to find out the following information.
The tree pictured is a Taxodium species. These types of trees can have an aerial root system (roots that grow above the ground surface naturally) to allow them to grow in swampy areas.
Council had one report about this tree at the end of December. Within 48 hours of the report, Council's contractor, a qualified arborist, chipped the branch and made the site around the tree safe. At the same time a safety assessment of the tree was undertaken and no concerns were raised.
There have been no further reports from the public about this tree.
As a result of your enquiry today Council's contractor was dispatched to re-inspect the tree and carry out any maintenance required. This has been done and two branches, which were on the ground, have been removed. Some minor maintenance to trim extra foliage will be carried out next week. Following today's inspection Council's arborist contractor's overall safety assessment of the tree has not changed since December.
Council has an ongoing tree inspection and maintenance programme but it is important that the public report any tree related issues or concerns to Council as soon as possible so our contractors can attend. People can phone our office on 07 348 4199 (24/7).
