27 September 2019

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Mead Street mud pool

Enquiry

Reporter sought update on mud pool that erupted on a Mead Street property in July and had the following questions:

-Is the site still habitable? Why?

-Is the mud pool affecting neighbouring properties in any way, eg their underground infrastructure?

-Have nearby properties expressed concerns to the council about the mud pool affecting them too?

-What messages have Tuhourangi conveyed to the council about the mud pool?

Response

-Decisions regarding the property have been at the discretion of the property owner. Council's role is to monitor geothermal activity and continue to provide advice about public safety. In July we confirmed that the house had been issued with a dangerous building notice and was uninhabitable.

The current building was issued a dangerous building notice due to its proximity to the mud pool itself and the danger this posed to the buildings occupants.

In order to be habitable the site i.e the section and building would need to be deemed safe by technical specialists to meet all legal requirements (i.e. the Building Act).

-No, there are no services where the hole is. The power lines to the house were disconnected at the street pole early on as there were fears the pole would fall into the hole and we did not want to disrupt the power supply to the neighbouring properties.

-We have not received any expressions of concern from neighbouring properties. Geothermal activity in the area is not unusual.

-Initial contact was made with Tuhourangi immediately after the event occurred. Council has not had any further contact with or from Tuhourangi regarding the mud pool.