24 January 2020
Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Services for homeless
Enquiry
I understand that Tiny Deane has leased surrounding buildings to his current night shelter to offer additional services to the homeless in the CBD and I was hoping to get some questions off to the council in regard to this:
- Some business owners have voiced that they were unimpressed with this development. Does the council have any plans to mediate this? How do they plan on keeping antisocial or dangerous behaviour in the CBD under control?
- Do council have records on the number of businesses that have shut down on Pukuatua St in the last 24 months?
- Does council believe Deane's plans to offer showers, washing, medical services and a koha shed for the homeless in the CBD will be beneficial?
- Are there any other comments council would like to make on this topic?
Response
From Council CE Geoff Williams:
Some business owners have voiced that they were unimpressed with this development. Does the council have any plans to mediate this? (ie Will there be any meetings with business owners or Tiny Deane to discuss their concerns?)
We have not been made unaware of these plans and have not been approached by business operators regarding concerns about this. We are always happy to speak with people to discuss issues and concerns, as we did late last year with inner city businesses.
How do they plan on keeping antisocial or dangerous behaviour in the CBD under control?
Working with the police, Council continues to coordinate safety patrols of inner city streets and CCTV monitoring, sharing information and discussing any concerns as part of an ongoing public safety partnership that was launched late 2018.
The aim is to provide a safe and friendly inner city environment for businesses, their staff and the public by deterring anti-social and criminal behaviour and dealing promptly with any emerging issues or incidents.
The presence of patrollers and CCTV monitoring means many incidents are de-escalated before they become a problem, and Council continues to engage with and receive positive support and feedback from the public and inner city businesses.
Criminal behaviour including intimidation is not acceptable and should be reported immediately to the police. It is important that criminal and anti-social behaviour are reported to enable police and council to deal with incidents and address issues.
Do council have records on the number of businesses that have shut down on Pukuatua St in the last 24 months?
No
Does council believe Deane's plans to offer showers, washing, medical services and a koha shed for the homeless in the CBD will be beneficial?
This is a question for agencies and organisations that provide services to support people who are homeless and are dealing directly with them regarding their needs.
Are there any other comments council would like to make on this topic?
We would have concerns if buildings are being used for activities without appropriate consent. For instance, installation of sanitary facilities would require consent under Building Act requirements for public safety.
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Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Outstanding electoral expenses returns
Enquiry
Reporter followed up to see if there was any update from our earlier response regarding outstanding electoral returns
Response
Currently the two outstanding declarations remain outstanding, and we expect feedback from our electoral officer next week regarding next steps to take.
*See previous enquiry and response HERE
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Media: Rotorua Now (Sunlive)
Topic: Outstanding electoral expenses returns
Enquiry
Follow up to earlier response sent regarding outstanding electoral returns.
Of the others named as filing returns outside the 55 day deadline, has leniency being grant in their cases?
Or their expenses having being disclosed/finalised, are their cases are closed?
Response
Leniency was granted to those candidates who filed their declarations late. For those candidates, this process is now complete.
Currently the two outstanding declarations remain outstanding, and we expect feedback from our electoral officer next week regarding next steps to take.
*See previous enquiry and response HERE
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Job vacancies
Enquiry
I am doing a jobs story and was hoping for some comment from the mayor or [deputy mayor] Dave [Donaldson].
According to recruitment agencies they are flat stick and Trademe figures show in the last quarter of 2019 job listings in Rotorua bucked the national trend and were up 2.4 per cent and job applicants were up 17.8 per cent. One of the growth industries was the healthcare sector while the recruitment agencies said it was also tourism and forestry.
What does a strong job market mean for Rotorua and the local economy?
What initiatives does the council have in place to support businesses in the district?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
A healthy local job market is good news for both our job seekers and our economy in general. There are potential benefits for local businesses if this results in increased consumer spending and following on from reports of improved household confidence in our region's economy and some businesses enjoying a possibly record holiday period, it suggests key sectors are doing well and employers in those sectors are also feeling positive.
As our district is going through a re-shaping, so is our education sector and given the current active job market it's a rich time to get young people linked to career pathways through tertiary training and trade training. I'm aware that's something that our economic development CCO is working on.
*The reporter was referred to Council CCO Rotorua Economic Development regarding initiatives council has to support businesses.
Response provided by Rotorua Economic Development Chief Executive:
It's great to see job growth in Rotorua as it's yet another sign of a vibrant, growing local economy, which helps to build business and consumer confidence and attract new investment.
As the Economic Development Agency for Rotorua, attracting and developing talent is a priority for Destination Rotorua. We are involved in a range of initiatives to help businesses across all sectors attract and retain good talent, while inspiring youth to access career pathways in Rotorua.
We are currently developing a summer intern programme to help businesses of all sizes recruit tertiary students during the summer break and also working with Scion on a project to encourage youth to consider science-related career pathways. Next week we are hosting a briefing by the Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, covering the reforms taking place in the vocational education sector and the establishment of the Regional Skills Leadership Groups. This will allow local employers to provide feedback on local need, trends and developments.
The tourism industry is an important employer in Rotorua, providing around 23% of all jobs here. Summer brings particular demand for good talent in this area and provides employment opportunities for local tertiary students returning home. We have also been working closely with the industry to help lengthen out the high season and create longer term employment options. Another tourism-related initiative is the launch of our Kuaka programme, which provides practical work experience at the i-SITE and a certificate of recognition for local rangatahi studying tourism.
Ongoing talent development is also important, and Destination Rotorua was a key sponsor of the development of Manaaki Rotorua, which is an online customer service and destination training programme.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Pukehangi Plan Change
Enquiry
Still working on Pukehangi Heights story and was hoping to get comment from Steve re the importance of more available build sections for Rotorua.
Basically how dire is the need for new homes and how far will the Pukehangi Heights land availability go toward alleviating it?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
We have a critical housing shortage in Rotorua and need homes of all types. Council is currently leading the development of a district housing plan, alongside Central Government and its agencies, landowners, developers and iwi. That is expected to provide short, medium and long-term options and solutions.
Pukehangi Heights is an area that has been flagged for residential development for some time now.
Following on from initial community engagement that has already happened relating to this proposed Plan Change, locals are now able to have a say formally by making submissions and I encourage them to take the opportunity to do that.
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Media: Weekend Sun
Topic: Idea of BOP Anniversary
Enquiry
As a lapsed Aucklander and now firmly ensconced in the BOP media - The Weekend Sun community newspaper in Tauranga with readership of 70,000 - I have always wondered why we celebrate Auckland anniversary day. We have no historical or emotional attachment to the celebration that I am aware of.
Then having done a little research I discover in 2006 that a Tauranga businessman floated the idea of a Bay of Plenty anniversary day back in 2006.
I plan to dust off the idea and prepare a story for The Weekend Sun next week.
Identity is an important issue, especially for a region that is flourishing. So does the Mayor of Rotorua have some thoughts on the issue.
Upsides, downsides?
Is there a day or an event that identifies us all as a proud and independent region and be worthy of celebrating as a BOP anniversary day of sorts.
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
This is an idea that's been floated several times in recent years but has never gained traction and I personally don't have any problem with us sharing Auckland Anniversary. I'd rather look at how we could, as a region, grow the local focus on Waitangi weekend and Matariki - I think that would speak more to our identity as a region.
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Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Complaint about shed in Holden's Bay
Enquiry
I am working on a story about a brown commercial shed that has been built on a waterfront property near Holden Ave. I am not sure of the exact address yet but I understand the council is aware of the issue and will know which shed it is.
- Did this property require resource consent? If so, why was resource consent granted?
- Did the council consider notifying and or consulting with neighbours? If so why not?
- I understand neighbours have complained to the council about this shed as it blocks views and in some cases, sunlight. What action, if any, is the council taking on this issue?
- The neighbours say the shed contravenes the district plan in that it dominates the landscape (policy 4.3.2.4 and 4.3.2.5) - does the council have a view of this?
- Is it true a councillor told one resident he would not win if he took the issue to court, and that if he wanted to change it he needed to "make a submission on the next ten yearly district plan"?
Response
The following comments and information were provided:
Please see the information below in response to your questions. If you need to you can attribute this to a Council Spokesperson:
Did this property require resource consent? If so, why was resource consent granted?
The shed did not require resource consent as it is a permitted activity that fits within the zone rules of section four of the District Plan.
Did the council consider notifying and or consulting with neighbours? If so why not?
There are no notification requirements as the shed did not require resource consent.
I understand neighbours have complained to the council about this shed as it blocks views and in some cases, sunlight. What action, if any, is the council taking on this issue?
Council has informed the resident that the shed did not require resource consent as it is a permitted activity that fits within the zone rules of the District Plan.
The neighbours say the shed contravenes the district plan in that it dominates the landscape (policy 4.3.2.4 and 4.3.2.5) - does the council have a view of this?
These policies are only valid if the shed required resource consent.
Is it true a councillor told one resident he would not win if he took the issue to court, and that if he wanted to change it he needed to "make a submission on the next ten yearly district plan"?
This is a question for the Councillor.
