19 December 2019
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Building consents
Enquiry
I am writing an article on the biggest building consents issued in Rotorua this year.
May I please have a comment from Mayor Steve Chadwick about how exciting all of this development is for the future of Rotorua and how good it is for the city's economy?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
It's always great to see commercial investment in our district, showing the confidence these businesses and developers have in Rotorua, contributing to our local economy and providing much welcomed job opportunities.
Council and Central Government have also committed to investing in our district. This includes through key projects like the lakefront redevelopment that will improve this popular facility for locals, visitors and existing operators, and will also encourage further private commercial investment and create job opportunities.
*NOTE: The top 10' included consent for Red Stag expansion, Balance Agri-Nutrients warehouse, new 2 storey hotel on Fairy Springs Rd, foundations and shell for new factory, shell for new office building, Countdown upgrades, a Fenton Street motel expansion and the lakefront development boardwalk
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Obesity in relation to grave sites and operation of Rotorua's crematorium
Enquiry
I am doing a story about obesity in the Bay of Plenty which showed 70% of the region was overweight or obese in 2016/17, a 6% increase on five years earlier. I have a few questions relating to the crematorium and gravesites.
I spoke to a funeral director who said coffins as big as bookshelves and extra lifting equipment has been needed and he has seen a rise in the obesity crisis
-what systems have needed to be put in place to accommodate the rise in obesity in the district? Have cremator doors needed to be increased in size? What was the previous size and what is it now?
-How much more do larger plots cost? Do these go up in increments and have you seen an increase in the number of larger plots needed? What is the largest plot for a single person you've had to do and how do you go about lowering the body when it's that heavy?
-What other equipment is needed to accommodate obese bodies?
-What changes have had to be made ie how does your work look different from 5/10 years ago in terms of catering to heavy bodies?
-Is it fair to say there has been a rise in obesity through what you are seeing?
-What challenges does the obesity epidemic present you within your work?
Response
The following information was provided:
What systems have needed to be put in place to accommodate the rise in obesity in the district?
None
Have cremator doors needed to be increased in size? What was the previous size and what is it now?
A new cremator being installed is larger than the previous machine which is almost 60 years old. The new cremator will accommodate all coffin sizes.
How much more do larger plots cost?
Plots are one standard size that fit all coffin sizes. There is one price.
Do these go up in increments and have you seen an increase in the number of larger plots needed?
As above.
What is the largest plot for a single person you've had to do and how do you go about lowering the body when it's that heavy?
As above.
What other equipment is needed to accommodate obese bodies?
None. The same equipment is used for all coffin sizes.
What changes have had to be made ie how does your work look different from 5/10 years ago in terms of catering to heavy bodies?
No changes.
Is it fair to say there has been a rise in obesity through what you are seeing?
Please refer this question to health services.
What challenges does the obesity epidemic present you within your work?
No additional challenges
