25 October 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rotorua population increase
Inquiry
I am wanting to get Steve's thoughts on some provisional population figures that have been released.
In the last twelve months, we've seen Rotorua's population swell by another 1200. It's up about 3000 from 2013. At year end June it's 71,700, up from 70,500 last year and 68,400 in 2013.
Obviously this is great news for Rotorua - people are still moving here, our population is going up after years of stagnation etc...
- What does the mayor think of these figures
- What does she think are the drivers behind the rise?
- How is infrastructure being modified to accommodate the increase?
- What are we seeing more of - immigrants or domestic?
- Why is is good for Rotorua to see its population numbers growing?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
Long term residents have always known Rotorua is a great place to live and this is a good time for our district - things are happening here and that's attracting more people.
Our population has been growing for a few years and indicators point to continued growth with Statistics NZ's estimated 7.2 per cent growth for Rotorua to 2023 moving us to medium growth status.
More people are looking to the regions for affordable housing and a better lifestyle and we're getting spillover from Auckland. We also have a healthy local economy which has performed above the national average since June 2016 and that helps encourage new investment and reinvestment, which in turn creates jobs and becomes a driver for population growth. Others are returning home to live or coming here for business or just for easier living.
Population increase is good for our economy and for the social fabric of our communities because it means more diversity, new skills and ideas and new innovation.
A growing population does put pressure on roads and wastewater, public facilities and amenities, social services and housing but these challenges are also opportunities and I think Rotorua is well-placed to deal with them.
Council is working on a number of fronts to future-proof infrastructure - we're working closely with New Zealand Transport Agency on upgrading of key roading corridors, the upgrade of our wastewater treatment plant will have capacity for growth, the Housing Accord will help us to more quickly unlock land for residential development and our spatial plan will identify areas for future growth and direct future infrastructure.
Additional info and links
- GDP: Our last Infometrics Quarterly Economic Monitor estimated GDP growth of 3 per cent for the June 2017 year, compared to 2.8 per cent nationally. The next quarterly monitor is due out soon.
- Medium growth status under the National Policy Statement for Urban Growth Capacity comes with planning, policy and reporting requirements.
- The Rotorua Housing Accord, signed with the Government in August 2017, provides access to special legislation which enables fast-tracking of consenting processes in areas given special housing area status.
NZTA has committed to investing about $12m on works to upgrade Rotorua's eastern roading corridor (Sala St to Iles Rd), about $11m on the central corridor (Amohau St) and between $3-4m on pedestrian/cycling infrastructure. A business case is also being developed regarding four-laning from Iles Rd to the airport (four-laning from Tarawera to Iles Rd is part of the eastern corridor plan). Work on Te Ngae and Amohau is expected to begin early next year. (Source: 5 October 2017 Operations report, O&M agenda, see p47)
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Te Manawa
Inquiry
We see Te Manawa is open to drivers now (since yesterday apparently).
We are doing a wee story for tomorrow's paper.
Is there anything you want to add? Any feedback yet on how it's been received? People getting the hang of it so far?
We have details about the opening on Sunday which we will include as well.
Additional subsequent question:
Just going back through our stories trying to get the right total budget figure for Te Manawa and we reported this in May (Work to date has cost $231,000 and the project will be completed within the budget agreed in the long-term plan, the council said).
Is this right? Is that the total spend for Te Manawa? Can someone please confirm?
Response
The following information was provided:
Here are a few points that you can add for your Te Manawa story as well as an FAQ sheet (attached) that is being handed out by City Safe Guardians to drivers and pedestrians using the space.
- Pedestrians Pedestrians have right of way within Te Manawa but must not directly hinder traffic. Without typical streetscape (kerbs and footpaths) to rely on, users become more aware of their surroundings and take greater care
- Drivers Motorists must give way to pedestrians. It is important to reduce your speed to walking pace (about 10kmph).The roadway is purposefully narrow to slow drivers, with street furniture added to help direct traffic flow
- Bike riders, scooters & skateboardersBikes and other wheeled recreational devices are considered vehicles in a shared zone and must give way to pedestrians.Follow the directional signage to stay on the Green Corridor cycleway.
You can also find a full list of FAQs about the space including the educational animations at www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/temanawa
Re budget question: Your May story would likely have been about the third and final stage of the Te Manawa project beginning so the 'work to date' costing $231,000 was a reference to the first two stages.
The total budget was $1.135m.