2 March 2020

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Camping at Motutara (Sulphur Point)

Enquiry

I'm just doing a follow up on the homeless issue.

There has been a lot of talk on social media about the more permanent homeless at areas like Sulphur Point.

I've just spoken to someone who has lived in a tent for more than two months and we would like to run this story in tomorrow's paper.

Both the person I spoke to and Tiny Deane (who I spoke with again this morning) are calling for the council or the Government to provide somewhere for homeless people to go during the day and camp at night.

They are saying homelessness isn't going away, people are sick of them in town, sick of them in Kuirau Park and they're not technically meant to be camping around the city so where are they to go?

Questions:

1. Are people allowed to camp in areas like Sulphur Point? If not, what bylaws are they breaching and what are the penalties?
2. Does the council move on freedom campers regularly?
3. Has the council noticed an increase in freedom campers recently?
4. Would the council consider setting aside a park or reserve somewhere for the homeless to camp/go during the day?

Response

From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:

Motutara (known as Sulphur Point) is a reserve under the Reserves Act and camping is not allowed there. Offences under the Reserves Act require a prosecution and court process to be followed.

For details about offences and penalties under the Reserves Act see Part 5 of the Act

We do move freedom campers on if they are having an impact on other users of a reserve area or on the environment, for instance, areas where there are no public facilities or areas of high public use.

Anecdotally, yes we have noticed an increase during the peak summer period and we are working with MBIE Responsible Camping funding programmes to try and quantify that.

From Strategy Group Manager Jean-Paul Gaston:

People who need housing are able to go to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and register for services that are available to help them.

Government agency representatives have told us nobody needs to be without a roof over their heads, that there is help and support available for anyone who engages with their services. People who council staff engage with are given information and encouraged to make use of the services that are available to help them and to provide accommodation options.

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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Homelessness

Enquiry

I'm working on a story about homelessness in Tauranga (and the wider BOP). Could I get answers to the following . . .

1) How much money in the current budget is being spent funding local services for homeless?

2) What does Council need to be able to provide more support for homeless people?

3) Do you have numbers, i.e., how many people are considered homeless in Rotorua?

Response

The reporter was informed that:

These are questions for the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) which is the lead agency for dealing with homelessness.

Council does not provide services to the homeless itself but supports and collaborates with those who do and is leading the development of a housing plan for the Rotorua district, working with Government and its agencies and other partners, including iwi. You'll find the latest re the housing plan HERE but as above, MSD is the lead agency for the provision of services for homeless.

Come back to us if there is anything council-related that you need for your story.

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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Rates

Enquiry

I am writing an editorial on potential rate rises for Tauranga and Rotorua. I was just wanting to confirm what was the last rate rise for Rotorua and are there any potential rate rises upcoming in the annual plan and percentage wise how much could that be.

Response

The following information was provided:

Re rating for 2019/20 (from THIS LINK on Council's website, or see the actual 2019/20 Annual Plan HERE):

Council today approved an overall average rates increase of 4.9%, less than the 5.1% indicated in the LTP for 2019/20. That has been achieved through additional operational efficiencies within the council organisation.

Average rates rise by category

• Business 4.8%
• Farming 4.8%
• Residential rural 4.5%
• Residential 5.0%We can't give you indicative increases for 2020/21 at this time as the proposed 2020/21 Annual Plan is under development. Details, including proposed rating, will be announced ahead of consultation in mid-April.