2 March 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post/BOP Times)
Topic: Council CCTV network
Enquiry
I'm just getting in touch following I tip I received last week about the council installing CCTV cameras in the CBD area. I wondered if you might be able to provide some more information about it.
- Is it true new CCTV cameras will be set up in the CBD?
- Why are new CCTV cameras being installed?
- How much will each one cost? Who is footing the bill?
- Where are they being set up?
- Has there been an increase in bad activity throughout the CBD area?
- Will the CCTV cameras be installed throughout the Rotorua community?
- How many CCTV cameras do you already have?
- What is the purpose of the cameras, to catch thieves, prevent other crimes, etc?
- Is CCTV monitored 24/7 or used to look back on if something happens?
I note the Safe City Guardian team responds to more than 500 incidents a year. What are the most typical kinds of incidents?
Response
from Council's Operations Group Manager Jocelyn Mikaere:
Council is currently developing a draft Community Safety Plan that includes looking at the effectiveness of our current CCTV network.
The draft plan is a result of consistent feedback from the community that safety needs to remain a key priority in Rotorua and was identified as a workstream in the Homes and Thriving Communities Strategic Framework.
We will be consulting with the community on the draft plan later this year and it will also feature in our 2021-2031 Long-Term Plan consultation document (out for consultation between 30 March and 30 April 2021).
The draft Community Safety Plan will consider short, medium, and long term actions to help ensure that public places, including Rotorua's CBD and parks and reserves, are safe and enjoyable spaces for everyone to share. These actions may include expanding our CCTV network.
Currently Council's CCTV network is made up of 76 cameras which are located throughout the district. These are monitored seven days a week, particularly during busy times. CCTV, alongside our security patrols, helps to deter antisocial behaviour and pick up activity that requires intervention by police. The majority of incidents that do occur in the CBD are picked up via Council's CCTV cameras and typically our security patrols are responding to suspicious behaviour.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Fall injuries
Enquiry
I am doing a story on the number of people aged 65+ that have experienced a fall for which ACC provided funding for.
- Across the region, 79,671 falls-related claims were made by people 65 years and over in the last five years.
- Last year, there were 16,917 across the region, which totalled $102,816,078 of active payments. (An active claim is where a payment has been made for it in a given year shown, regardless of the year in which the claim was lodged. Some claims have ongoing costs.
- The number of new claims related to falls dropped last year, after increasing year-on-year since 2016.
- In Rotorua, there were 14,636 fall-related claims over the last five years and $21,820,574 was paid for active claims over that time to the district.
- Last year, $216 million was spent across NZ to help 65+ year group recover after a fall.
Questions:
- With an aging population, what is council doing to keep them safe from falling as much as possible?
- What plans and investments are on the cards to help the aging population in keeping them safe from falls? How will they help?
- This includes public transport, accessibility of council facilities, exercise areas, programs
- Any other comments are welcomed.
Response
The reporter was advised to contact the DHB regarding programmes to support mobility etc and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for information regarding public transport.
From Niki Carling, Rotorua Lakes Council Safe and Sustainable Journeys manager:
The safety of all Rotorua residents is a priority at all Council venues.
Rotorua Lakes Council supports the Rotorua Accessibility Group which takes an advocacy role in helping Rotorua become more accessibility-friendly.
Council has recently produced a guide to accessible facilities in the City, including mobility parking spaces and accessible walking paths. The shared path network has been designed for users to safely share wide concrete paths, encouraging active modes of transport for locals and visitors.
Specifically targeted at the ageing population, Council runs a cycling skills for seniors programme, aimed at supporting seniors to ride around Rotorua safely and confidently.
For your information
- When Council is notified of a trip or fall taking place at a Council site, this is recorded in the health and safety system and an investigation is carried out. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, corrective actions are put in place to prevent the incident happening again.
- Rotorua Lakes Council has also recently promoted the ACC app 'Nymbl' with its health and safety representatives. You can find more about the app here.
- You may or may not be aware that RLC granted $60,000 to the Parksyde Community Centre in 2020. This is to establish a new hub on Tarewa Place, to sit alongside the current facilities serving the elderly. The article is here FYI.