27 January 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: CBD homeless hub proposal
Enquiry
Could I please get Steve Chadwick's views on the planned closure of Lava Bar and X Base Backpackers into a homeless hub that will see a medical centre and accommodation.
There's already hundreds of comments on Facebook about it with many saying it's not good to have this in the centre of Rotorua.
Do you agree or do you think this wrap-around service run by Whanau Ora will be good for our city?
*NOTE: enquiry relates to story in today's Rotorua Daily Post (see LINK for Premium users) about a proposal by Tiny Deane for a new homeless hub and health centre in the CBD if sale of X Backpackers property, including what was the Lava Bar night club, goes through.
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
I am concerned. As everybody knows, we've had a difficult history with provision of this type of service in the central city in the past, and I don't want a repeat of the issues we experienced then and the heightened concern it generated within the community.
We always said the CBD was not the right place for this type of facility for people who often have complex problems that require a complex system of support.
I'm also concerned about the potential impact on our business and tourism sectors and our efforts towards economic recovery.
Without knowing the detail I can't comment about what Mr Ngatai is proposing.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Museum/SHMPAC checks following quake swarm
Enquiry
Just checking in to see if there are any updates on the Rotorua Museum and Sir Howard Morrison Performing Art Centre assessments after yesterday's earthquakes?
Response
From Council:
The Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre has been given the all clear and contractors have continued with work as planned.
The Rotorua Museum is a more complex building and engineers were completing inspections in there yesterday. They will then provide a Rapid Assessment Report to council highlighting if Monday's earthquakes resulted in any damage.