20 February 2019
Media: Daily Post
Topic: Museum funding
Enquiry
Further to yesterday's enquiry regarding Tamati Coffey's call for Central Government to contribute to funding the restoration and re-opening of Rotorua Museum, the reporter sought a general project update and also asked:
Are there any artefacts still left in the museum?
If so what are they, if not where have they all gone?
Response
What's on the museum website (see below) is the latest (see below):
The architects and engineers continue to develop the design to ensure the construction phase for the project is ready to start in July.
The latest concept designs feature a new glass corridor and a new 95m downstairs gallery which will provide another exhibition space for the Museum.
The glass corridor will lead to the mud bath basement which can no longer be accessed via the stairs due to under-floor seismic strengthening lowering the ceiling levels.
This glass corridor will also provide the first ever disability access to the mud bath basement.
All taonga have been moved out of the museum.
Many of the taonga in Rotorua Museum's permanent collection are being stored at the museum's off-site storage facility, others have been returned to other museums for safekeeping and some have been returned to lenders.
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Media: Daily Post
Topic: Whittaker Road development
Enquiry
I'm hoping to please have these few basic questions answered by the appropriate council spokesperson tomorrow for a story about the River and Stone Holdings Resource Consent application No. RC16311 for 54 Whittaker Rd.
Submissions close Friday.
Questions:
How many people were invited to submit in response to the RC16311 consent application?
How many have submitted so far?
What happens next after the closing date on Friday?
There is also one comment the council may wish to respond to if desired, although it it appears to be directed more at the RMA process than the council itself:
xxxx who co-owns land three houses down from the site, on the opposite side of Whittaker Rd, said the majority of homes there were papakāinga and the majority of whānau living on the road were Ngāti Whakaue.
She said Te Arawa hapū had spent decades fighting the negative social effects of colonisation, the dishonouring of the Treaty of Waitangi.
"Our whānau, hapū and iwi should not now be put in a further vulnerable position where we again need to fight to protect our rights as tangata whenua and landowners."
She said the iwi hoped to build resources and assets back to the point where it could one day buy back homes and land in the area to raise tamariki in a papakāinga setting.
xxx also said the visitor accommodation proposal would make the dream an impossibility, because tourist accommodation was driving up the costs of land and homes.
Response
We did not respond to the personal opinion expressed by the landowner.
The following information was provided regarding the process:
17 requests for submissions were sent out in relation to the RC16311 consent application.
To date, no submissions have been received from those invited to submit. It would not be uncommon to receive an influx of submissions in the last couple of days.
If submissions are made, issues raised will be considered. Further information may be required from the applicant in light of this.
If submitters would like to be heard, a hearing before the commissioner/commissioners will take place before any further decisions are made.
The decision making sits with the commissioner. ________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Bay of Plenty Times
Topic: Wet weather preparations
Enquiry
I am following a story today on the rainfall we are expected to be getting over the next four days (hallelujah!) and was hoping to get a comment from the council about whether they are prepared.
- Have the Council made an effort to clear storm water drains to prevent flooding?
- Are the Council making any other efforts to prepare the city for any significant rainfall?
- Do the Council have any other comment to make about significant rainfall that may be of interest to the readers?
Response
From Stavros Michael, Infrastructure General Manager and Primary CDEM Controller:
Cleaning and maintenance of stormwater systems is an on-going process as is street sweeping (which helps to reduce debris from reaching stormwater collection points such as cesspits). When we are aware that heavy rain may be on the way our staff and contractors check critical entry points like low-lying areas to ensure drainage paths are clear.
Ahead of expected heavy rainfall our Wastewater Treatment Plant staff empty the holding tanks to create more waste water storage capacity.
We also monitor pump stations during weather events to ensure the system is coping with water intake.
There are approximately 5200 cesspits in the district. While Council staff and contractors endeavour to check as much as they can prior to weather events, we are also thankful for information from the public who alert us about anything that may cause issues during such heavy rain.
People can lodge jobs with council by phoning our 24/7 Customer Centre on 07 348 4199. It is also important to note that a heavy rain event may very quickly create debris washouts that can inundate cesspits even though they may recently have been emptied so residents' vigilance and alerting Council can be very helpful.
Civil defence preparations are also made ahead of anticipated severe weather in case it is necessary to activate the emergency response operations centre and that includes alerting and placing on stand-by relevant staff who may need to assist during a significant weather event.
Council officers also work alongside Bay of Plenty Regional Council's flood protection teams who are responsible for monitoring flow levels in waterways. If people are concerned about water flow levels in waterways they can watch the live monitoring at https://envdata.boprc.govt.nz/Data
Tips to prepare for weather events:
- Take a look around your home - clear any blocked gutters or drains and remove any branches from trees that may at risk of falling. You can also assist by clearing any surface debris in front of drainage cesspits near your home.
- If you need to travel, check weather and traffic websites so you can prepare accordingly
- Make sure you have adequate supplies at home in case of a power cut - torches with spare batteries, fully charged phone, non-perishable food items, fresh water
- If you have a low lying property move any important objects from floor levels in case of surface flooding
- Watch for local updates on Council's Facebook page and website - www.rotorualakeescouncil.nz / www.facebook.com/rotorualakescouncilHelpful websites:
- www.metservice.co.nz
- www.nzta.govt.nz
- www.civildefence.govt.nz
