26 March 2020

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Public facilities during COVID-19 lockdown

Enquiry

We've had a number of messages/seen a lot of confusion on Facebook around some of the city's public facilities and if they're open/how council will shut them off.

A big one was the Redwoods/Waipa - we understand the carparks will be closed but will the council be blocking off the tracks in any way? Or will the tracks all remain open to those who live in walking distance?

Is the Redwoods officially closed? Hoping to get clarity on this for our readers.

Another one was the city's playgrounds at public parks - will the council be taping these off or have signage installed?

Will the city's skateparks also be taped off in any way or remain open?

These are the main queries we have received.

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

People are being asked to stay home unless absolutely necessary.

The message from our police is to stay in your bubble.

Drive only to get essential supplies or go to and from work if you work for an essential service. If you need fresh air stick to your immediate neighbourhood, keep a distance from people other than those in your household and if you're at your local park, stick to green spaces only.

It's impossible to signage and tape up our entire district but all carparks, toilets and other facilities are closed and playgrounds are also out of bounds and being taped up.

Activity that's not necessary, including driving, puts others at risk, including emergency services staff if you have an accident or injure yourself. The last thing we need to do is add pressure on our essential services.

This is not a holiday - we are fighting a virus and we should all be doing the right thing.

People's ignorance or blatant disregard for the situation we are in puts lives at risk. It's our whole community's job to save lives.

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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Business Finance Guarantee Scheme in response to COVID-19

Enquiry

I am writing an article based on the $6.25 billion Business Finance Guarantee Scheme that will provide short-term credit to cushion the financial distress on solvent small and medium-sized firms affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

The package will include a six-month principal and interest payment holiday for mortgage holders and SME customers whose incomes have been affected.

My questions to the mayor Steve Chadwick are:

* How great is this financial relief for homeowners, particularly in the Bay of Plenty?

* How great is this government support for Rotorua businesses?

* Please add anything else you would like to say here:

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

People will need different types of assistance and it's good to see the Government developing a range of packages that can be targeted to those who need it most.

Individuals and businesses should be ensuring they access whatever assistance is available for them and their situation.

I would encourage our local businesses to contact Rotorua Economic Development which is providing advice and support to help navigate people through the assistance that is currently available from the Government.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Day 1 of lockdown

Enquiry

I'm writing for the Rotorua Daily Post about the first day of the lockdown - could you please ask the mayor to answer these questions for me:

- what is Rotorua's Civil Defence plan for the lockdown?

- who are the regional controllers for Rotorua?

- what powers do they have?

I also understand that all executive powers have been devolved onto the chief executive. Could the mayor please elaborate on what this means?

Response

From Local Controller Bruce Horne:

Rotorua Lakes Council's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been activated. Our EOC's role is to support the Ministry of Health-led response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently we have a team of about 20 people working within the EOC, both on-site and remotely. The team is likely to grow in the coming days as we mobilise more staff. Our main focus currently is providing non-clinical welfare support to the community.

We are coordinating both locally and regionally with other Civil Defence & Emergency Management teams.

Local Controllers have special powers following the declaration of a national state of emergency but if these are to be used, this will be coordinated at a national level. These powers could include, but are not limited to, closing or restricting access to roads or public places, providing rescue, first aid, food, shelter etc, evacuating premises/places.

Re CE delegations

From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:

These extended delegations are temporary and mean the chief executive can formalise and enact decisions that normally need to be passed by elected members through committee or Council meetings. Many councils have done this ahead of the COVID-19 lockdown because the Local Government Act requires a physical quorum to give effect to decisions and we can only meet via the likes of video and audio links during this time.

The CE won't use these delegations without discussion with and direction from elected members. It's simply a mechanism to ensure we can still make important decisions during the lockdown even if we can't physically meet.

The Government can modify the Act but hadn't done so as of Wednesday so we needed to put the delegations in place before the lockdown to ensure we were covered. We may not need to use it but it's there if we do.

It's the same mechanism that is used by councils during election periods when there is effectively no sitting council but decisions may still need to be made. ________________________________________________________________________________________

Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on everyday life

Enquiry

I am working on a story illustrating the most immediate impacts of the lockdown on normal life.

One way I'm doing this is the disappearance of rush hour.

I am seeking some data about the number of traffic movements during this morning's usual peak on busy commuter routes compared to say the same day two weeks ago or a year ago.

I'm not sure how this data is held for Rotorua, but I've also requested it from TCC's traffic team and it's easy for them to pull out so I also hope it's easy for RLC.

Could I please get the number of movements through the following intersections for today's morning peak and March 12th's:

• Te Ngae Rd at Tarawera roundabout
• Fairy Springs Rd at the Lake Rd intersection
• Ngongotaha roundabout.

If other busy intersections are more closely monitored than the ones I have identified, I'm sure those will be fine.

You'll know better than me what time is the morning peak period for Rotorua. I anticipate about 7.30am-9am.

If the system allows you to generate a graph showing the difference between the days, that would be great as well.

Response

The reporter was informed that:

The traffic light cameras for the BOP, including Rotorua, are all run out of the Tauranga Traffic Operations centre. Cameras at these locations are used to monitor traffic movements but do not specifically capture the number of cars travelling through the area.

NZTA often set up specific traffic counters but we don't think they have permanent counters out. You would need to check with them.