28 November 2019

Media: Stuff

Topic: MSD using motels as emergency accommodation

Enquiry

Dropping you a line to ask for some comment from [Mayor] Steve Chadwick.

I've been asked to put something together on the issue of Rotorua's motels being used to house homeless people.

To that end, I wanted to ask Steve:

Rotorua Motel Association chair Shelley Hobson-Powell has raised concerns about this issue, specifically with regard to anti-social behaviour from some of these motel residents.

Has Steve been contacted by anyone in the motel sector here about this, and have any similar concerns been raised with her?

Given Rotorua's status as a tourism hub, is she concerned about the possibility for reputational damage?

According to the latest Ministry of Housing and Urban Development data for September 2019, 3381 Emergency Housing Special Needs Grants were approved in that quarter, up from the previous quarter number of 2410. Is this a problem that is getting worse?

Response

From Mayor Steve Chadwick:

Housing is a huge concern and Council is working with government agencies and other key stakeholders like iwi and social housing providers to develop a housing plan for the Rotorua district. This work is progressing and the plan will be announced once finalised.

We need more homes of all types in Rotorua, including emergency housing, and solutions will require a collaborative approach involving all parties with a role to play, including local and central government, iwi, landowners, developers and social housing providers. That's what we're working on so that we can provide homes that match people's needs and align to community aspirations.

As I've said many times now, using motels as temporary housing is not ideal for anyone, is not what visitors expect and is certainly not a long-term solution. I spoke with motelliers at a meeting two months ago and there was a realisation that the use of motels as emergency housing is just one part of a much bigger and very complex housing situation.

We obviously want visitors to have a positive experience and I would expect motelliers having problems with occupants' behavior are dealing with that in the appropriate way, either through the police and/or, if it involves emergency housing clients, the Ministry of Social Development.

Additional information to get you up to date

Housing was identified as a key challenge for Council and the district in this year's Pre-election Report and there has been community engagement recently with a view to development of a housing plan for the Rotorua district. See more HERE

Reporter was referred to MSD for response to question about number of emergency housing special needs grants.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Escaped race horse hit by Infracore truck

Enquiry

We understand one of your Infracore trucks was involved in a collision with the racehorse that galloped down Fenton St yesterday.

I was wondering if you could please tell me if extensive damage was caused to the truck? Will it need to be repaired? or has it been written off?

Are you able to provide any photos?

Also are you able to provide any general comment on the incident of the horse escaping and the general version of events that the council are aware of?

Response

The enquiry was referred to InfraCore which provided the following response from CE Matt Scott:

Infracore can confirm that an incident occurred yesterday between 3:30 and 4:00pm at the Arawa Street roundabout involving a horse and an InfraCore vehicle. There were two people in the vehicle who are understood to have received no injuries. The vehicle has received damage and we are currently working with our insurers to establish the level of damage. A full investigation is currently underway.