28 February 2017
Media: Seven Sharp
Topic: Rotorua rental properties owned by the Bhanas
Inquiry
I'd just like to know if there's any immediate plan to demolish Mr Bhana's property on Bellingham Crescent in Fordlands? I believe the number is 17a. It's clearly unliveable and I understand the community signed a petition not long ago to get rid of it.
I also understand the Rotorua District Court ordered the destruction of another of Mr Bhana's properties on Exeter Place a few years ago after an application from the council, can the same thing happen in this situation?
Response
We're dealing with two different issues here (as far as your questions go) - one is about derelict buildings (Exeter and Bellingham) and the other about an occupied home.
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has actually done quite a bit of work in relation to both (pushing for minimum standards for rental housing and for legislation changes to increase powers for councils to deal with derelict buildings. That was initially prompted by Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick back in 2014 but there's been no progress to date)
The Exeter Place home which Council got a court order to partially demolish was declared dangerous due to structural damage caused by water damage following a fire, rather than being caused by the fire itself. The house was at risk of collapse which meant it posed a danger to neighbouring properties. It could not be declared insanitary because it was unoccupied, therefore nobody was at imminent health risk.
The Bellingham Crescent property, while fire-damaged, was deemed by an engineer to be structurally sound and as it is unoccupied cannot be declared insanitary. It was boarded up and notices put up to keep people out after the fire and notices issued by Council to fix the property are due to be reviewed.
Council's powers in respect of dangerous and unsanitary buildings are defined in section 124 of the Building Act.
Under current law it can be a long and costly process to prove that a building is in such a bad state of repair that it should be fixed or demolished and there is a high threshold that must be met before the courts will make judgement against a landowner.
Council staff have visited the Ranolf Street property which featured on Seven Sharp and have found some of the units to be unsanitary. A requisition notice to fix has been issued to the property owners who now have a month to take action. If nothing is done the next step would be seeking a court order.
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Media: New Zealand Herald
Topic: Maxim Report
Inquiry
NZ Herald contacted Mayor Chadwick for an interview regarding the Maxim report on declining population trends in NZ regions
Response
A video interview took place - click here for the link
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Media: Te Kaea - Maori TV
Topic: Utuhina Stream water quality
Inquiry
Is someone available for an interview on behalf of the Rotorua Lakes Council tomorrow regarding the Utuhina Stream. I understand that it's been deem unsafe. Is this correct?
Questions:
What has been done on behalf of the council regarding the clean-up of the stream?
Or is this a Te Arawa Lakes Trust problem?
Response
Te Kaea's reporter was referred to Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Bay of Penty Regional Council
