2 June 2017
Media: Rotorua Review
Topic: Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers - Spatial Plan
Inquiry
Firstly, have you read the RDRR spatial plan submission, and if so, what did you make of it?
The broad premise, and conversations with Reynold, suggest their main issue is they believe council's SP is based on incorrect/'cheery picked' data on demographics. I'll quote Reynold:
"[RLCs Spatial Plan] cherry picks the research of demographics to prove that they're going to be able to sustain growth and wellbeing through rates and debt. That equation won't work."
Can I ask for your response to that claim?
Response
Response from Dave Donaldson:
The association is absolutely entitled to have an opinion and engage on the spatial plan. My view however is that their submission is politically motivated and contains a large amount of re-skinned electioneering rhetoric featuring direct attacks on the Mayor and Council. As I have previously commented, the public release of this submission and direct emailing on the same day as John Chadwick's funeral is, in my opinion, a breath-taking act of bullying.
Typical of this group, is the selective use of information to support their own position. In this case the RDDR have used out of date reports that were developed on old information. Council is working with the most up to date information from Statistics New Zealand and agencies like NZTA.
Anyone who says Rotorua is not growing quite simply has their head in the sand. Based on the latest Statistics New Zealand information the Rotorua urban area, we understand, will be upgraded in status to a medium growth area under the Governments National Policy Statement on Urban development. As a consequence of this change in status Council has the responsibility to ensure land is available in the future for residential and commercial development.
Currently we are seeing our neighbours Hamilton and Tauranga, like Auckland, struggling to respond to unprecedented rates of growth and development. As a Council we firmly believe that it is imperative that we are well prepared and able to respond should Rotorua's rate of growth increase even further.
Planning and the provision of core infrastructure is one of the essential activities of Council. What we are doing in the spatial plan is simply looking to future proof our District and in doing so avoid the loss of aspects of our district which we all hold important. It is important we move quickly to complete our spatial plan in consultation with our community to support investment decisions like Te Ngae Road.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: TVNZ 1 News
Topic: Tourism bed tax
Inquiry
Hi, I'm checking on the council's stance in regards to a visitor levy, or bed tax. Is it part of the Local Government New Zealand push for a government mandated tax of some kind to help fund infrastructure projects which are accessed by visitors?
Response
In response to your request, Council is unable to comment on whether the district should adopt a visitor levy given councillors have not had an opportunity to deliberate and reach a decision on the matter.
