24 May 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust rates-related court case
Enquiry
Further to the inquiry of 23 May the reporter sought confirmation on financials -
How much more money did the council collect in rates by not discounting the 94 properties by 10 per cent each year since 2014?
Response
The following information was provided:
Approximately $50,000 per year for the past 3 years
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Development in Whakarewarewa forest
Enquiry
The reporter sought comment from Council on a 'rumoured' mountain bike hub on Tarawera Road.
Response
The following information was provided:
This project is included in the long-term plan.
You'll find it in the long-term plan consultation document in the section headed Keeping the Foot on the Pedal of Progress' which also includes the lakefront development, Kuirau Park improvements, the proposed new CCO and housing challenges. It was one of the projects that was consulted on.
You'll also find it on p39 of the Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee agenda from 16/17 May when deliberations were held.
It is one of the projects for which funding will be applied for from the Provincial Growth Fund which you received information about the other day.
This project has also been reported on in the monthly Operational Reports which go to the Operations & Monitoring Committee every month.
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Media: Newshub Radio
Topic: Sinking graves in Rotorua cemeteries
Enquiry
Newshub radio requested an interview (pre-recorded and to be aired on Radio NZ morning report tomorrow - Friday 25 May) re the sinking graves at Kauae Cemetery.
Response
Rob Pitkethley was interviewed - the following was discussed.
- what happened and why? Lots of rain accelerated natural process of soil settling. Usually something that happens much more slowly but with heavy soil it has affected more graves over a short period
- How does it get fixed? Graves are topped up with soil and grass re-sown to leave area tidy. Staff working through all graves at the moment
- Is there an additional cost? It is part of regular cemetery maintenance but with sudden event we have prioritised this and put some other jobs aside until all graves are returned to respectful state they need to be in.
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Media: Stuff
Topic: Sinking graves in Rotorua cemeteries
Enquiry
Waikato Times-based reporter called seeking information about the subsidence at Kauae Cemetery following the 29 April rain event.
Response
From Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley:
We can confirm that approximately 70 graves in the Kauae and Rotorua cemeteries were affected by the recent severe weather. Staff have reported some graves have subsided by between 10 and 30 centimetres which is not only upsetting for families visiting loved ones but also poses a safety risk to them and other visitors who could trip on the uneven ground.
Staff are carrying out work to fill each site with topsoil before grass seeding can be done. We expect it will take at least a week before all maintenance is done however it will take a bit more time before the grass seedlings grow and the damage is no longer evident.
We understand this is a reasonably common occurrence after severe weather and similar instances of grave subsidence have occurred in other places in New Zealand such as Dunedin and Auckland.
We encourage any relatives whose loved one's graves have been affected to contact Council on 348 4199 so we can answer their questions.
