21 January 2020

Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter

Topic: Homeless camping at Motutara (Sulphur) Point

Enquiry

I have obtained documents that suggest the council is planning on moving homeless people away from Motutara, as well as a number of parks and reserves around Rotorua.

I have screenshotted those documents and attached, including an email sent by [Council employee].

Questions:

• Why is the council developing a strategy to move homeless people away from the sites (indicated in the map attachment)?
• How does the council differentiate between freedom campers and homeless people living in self-contained vehicles?
• Does the council have a strategy to support homeless families that might be split up if living in shelters?
• What else is the council doing to assist homeless people in finding long term accommodation?
• When did the council begin implementing this plan?
• Is it still a 'live document', subject to review?
• Have homeless people been given 48 hour verbal warnings, as per the flow chart?
• Have homeless people been given 24 hour written warnings, as per the flow chart?
• Have homeless people been trespassed from RLC reserves under this plan?
• How much has the council spent on this plan and its implementation?
• How does the council explain the discrepancy between its comments in the email below, and the information contained in these documents?

Response

From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:

Why is the council developing a strategy to move homeless people away from the sites (indicated in the map attachment)?

There is no such strategy. However, as part of Council's responsibility for public safety, there is a process for dealing with issues relating to public safety and behaviour.

As part of that work, we do come into contact with some rough sleepers and people in need of housing and we encourage them to take up help and support offered by social service and housing providers. Some choose to not do so.

As explained to you on Friday 17 January, Council is obliged to respond to complaints or staffs' observations relating to public health and safety.

In this capacity, as previously explained, Council has moved people from illegal camp sites found in the wider geothermally active Sanatorium Reserve area because it is dangerous. It poses both a personal and public health and safety risk and impacts on a sensitive environment.

The work referred to in the documents you have is part of the inner city safety work Council has been involved in since 2018, in partnership with the police and in response to public safety concerns.

The process provides a guide for Council staff and in the case of rough sleepers or homeless people, aims to connect them to assistance and services that are available. This was shared with representatives from Visions of a Helping Hand, Ministry of Social Development and Housing First.

How does the council differentiate between freedom campers and homeless people living in self-contained vehicles?

We do not differentiate in responding to issues relating to public safety.

Does the council have a strategy to support homeless families that might be split up if living in shelters?

Our strategy is to try and link people in need to social service and housing providers such as the Ministry for Social Development and Housing First. You will need to speak with those agencies about the services they provide.

What else is the council doing to assist homeless people in finding long-term accommodation?

Council staff who engage with homeless people during the course of their day to day work do their best to link people with social support and services that are available from agencies and organisations that have responsibility for social housing and are experts in the field.

Council is also leading the development of a district housing plan that will take a big picture view of Rotorua's housing needs, including social housing, and this is being done with input from Central Government and its agencies.

When did the council begin implementing this plan?

In December last year several illegal camp sites were removed from reserves due to public safety concerns. There have been no actions taken relating to illegal camp sites since then.

Is it still a 'live document', subject to review?

Yes - all Council's processes are reviewed regularly to ensure they are relevant, consistent with legislation and reflect the values of our organisation.

Have homeless people been given 48 hour verbal warnings, as per the flow chart?

Have homeless people been given 24 hour written warnings, as per the flow chart?

Yes [re both of the above questions]. In late 2019 Council had to follow this process to remove illegal camp sites within the geothermal sites in Council managed reserves.

Have homeless people been trespassed from RLC reserves under this plan?

No. Trespassing anyone is always a very last resort and not something Council wants to do. Council's first step is to try and speak with people, provide information, make them aware of the dangers and encourage them to take up services and support that are available to them.

How much has the council spent on this plan and its implementation?

This work has been done as part of Council's inner city safety programme. No extra budget has been committed.

How does the council explain the discrepancy between its comments in the email below, and the information contained in these documents?

There is no discrepancy between documents you have been given and information provided to you on Friday 17 January.

As we confirmed in our response to that earlier enquiry, which related to Motutara Point (Sulphur Point), we are not targeting anyone but have had to respond to complaints at this specific area relating to litter, anti-social behaviour and the presence of dogs, which are not permitted there. [please note Felix, to be clear, when we refer to Motutara Point we are referring to the carpark area at this location, where there are toilet facilities]

We also stated in that response that Council had had to move people on from the geothermally active Sanatorium Reserve, because of the dangers this poses (presence of hydrogen sulphide gases and public health risks posed by lack of public toilets there). There are also potential environmental impact from illegal camp sites with cooking facilities and open fires, which are also not permitted.

The map you have is not a current version. Motutara Point is excluded from the work the map relates to (as per Council's previous response to you ie that we are not targeting people at Motutara Point). The "stars" [on the map] are locations of camp sites - some occupied, most abandoned - which were removed last December due to health and safety risks.

Clearing of the sites followed engagement with, and notification to, occupants who were also offered assistance to link them to available social services. One person was also moved on from a council-owned property outside of Sanatorium Reserve but near the inner city, at the request of the property occupants, due to behavioural issues.

*Rob Pitkethley also fronted a video interview, during which he reinforced the above information.

*A video interview was also requested with Mayor Chadwick, however she was out of town on Mayoral business.