19 December 2017

Media: Rotorua Review

Topic: Aquatic Centre/InfraCore hikoi to council

Enquiry

Reporter sought comment from Mayor Chadwick re Thursday's hikoi.

Aquatic Centre and InfraCore staff are obviously concerned about the changes taking place - can you reassure them in any way?

The figure of $700,000 has been mooted as the saving from the Aquatic Centre changes - could nothing be done by council to make those same savings?

I gather the Thursday meeting went into confidential, that was why the protesters were prevented from entering the council building - is that right and secondly, can you see why people may be cynical about that?

You've placed great store by the concept of tatau tatau - are people right to be disappointed by Thursday's lock out in that light?

The reporter also contacted Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson for comment.

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

Misinformation out in the community about the Aquatic Centre has been disappointing but change can be difficult. This facility will continue to play a vital role in our community - we still own it and control the outcomes that need to be delivered. Savings were not the driver for change - a review was due and we believe CLM will add value for our community.

A delegation from the Aquatic Centre hikoi was invited to meet with CE Geoff Williams and myself but that invitation was declined. We felt that was a constructive approach, remembering there are industrial negotiations still underway.

What's happening at the Aquatic Centre and at InfraCore, an independently operated CCO, are two unrelated matters.

The inference last week's council meeting went into confidential because of the hikoi is completely untrue. There was nothing unusual about meeting or the way it was conducted and ensuring the business of council was able to continue uninterrupted was a matter for the CE and the operational arm of the council.

Councillors and I have made it clear we wanted all possible efforts to be made for Aquatic Centre staff and 36 of the 38 now have firm options for roles with CLM. We've been assured they were part of the review process and that negotiations continue in good faith.

Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson made the following points:

• The invitation for a delegation to meet with the mayor and CE was made in the lead-up to the hikoi as well as in writing when the hikoi arrived at council but that invitation was declined.
• The Council meeting progressed as per normal and as per the agenda, going into confidential to deal with matters for the reasons outlined in the agenda.
• The mayor made councillors aware at the start of the meeting that she might need to leave the meeting at some point to meet with a delegation from the hikoi.
• There appear to be assumptions and misunderstanding regarding the role of governance. It is not the role of governance to get involved in industrial negotiations.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Flooding

Enquiry

Reporter sought update following last night's flooding in the eastern suburbs due to the thunderstorm:

- Is there any residual clean up?

- Did any further reports come in?

Response

Reporter was referred to updated news item on Council's website at THIS LINK

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Signage at Tikitapu (Blue Lake)

Enquiry

I have a few questions regarding the signage that has been erected around Blue Lake.

Did Rotorua council put this signage up?

What prompted the new signage?

Has Blue Lake always been a problem area for people getting lost?

Response

From Recreation and Open Spaces Manager Julianne Wilkinson:

Following an incident earlier this month where a visitor found herself lost while walking around Lake Tikitapu Council has reviewed the signage along the trail.

We have identified where improvements can be made to the location of some existing way-finding signage and some additional signs will be installed as soon as possible.

Council hadn't received any reports of anyone becoming lost or finding the signage confusing prior to this month's incident. However, public safety is our priority and we want to minimise any potential risk of it happening again.