2 October 2019
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Subdivisions
Enquiry
Looking for some guidance on what data you can provide around subdivisions promised versus subdivisions that have eventuated.
I've gone through our records back to January 2017 and found announcements for 11 subdivisions or pockets of land poised for subdivisions. Within these, all up, 593 homes were proposed.
If I provided you with the names and number of lots of each subdivision, would you be able to tell me how many of those lots have been built on?
I don't have specific addresses for the subdivisions so if there's any confusion about which ones I'm referring to, let me know:
- Kawaha Point Villas (29 lots)
- Ashworth Villas (50 lots)
- Arohanui Parade (Vaughan Rd) (36 lots)
- Maple Grove (32 lots)
- Tarawera Rd (40 lots)
- Fryer Rd, Hamurana (at least 6 lifestyle lots - there was a stage two but we never got details about it)
- Great West Rd (55 lots)
- Baxendale (24 lots)
- Sunny Downs Farm (89 lots)
- Collie Drive (33 lots)
(The 11th subdivision I had down was 31 Ngongotaha Rd (originally promised 190 homes) but we know what happened with that one)
Could you also please provide the number of subdivisions consented since Jan 2017 to date and how many are in the pre-consent process
Can I also get the number of new consents issued for new dwellings each year since Jan 2017 to date.
Response
A document containing the information sought was provided - view the document HERE
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Mobile security camera
Enquiry
There is a structure opposite the homeless shelter on Pukuatua St that we have noticed.
It looks like a security camera and is on a trailer in a parking space.
Is this something the council has installed?
Has it got anything to do with monitoring the activities of people on the street? If so, why?
Response
The following statement was provided:
A highly visible mobile security camera in Rotorua's inner city has had an immediate impact in deterring anti-social behaviour.
The mobile camera has been located in Pukuatua Street since Monday in response to anti-social behaviour around the entrance to the city's carpark building.
Fixed security cameras located around the inner city and have been very effective in helping to prevent and de-escalate crime and anti-social behaviour, working collaboratively with the police, Council's Inner City Manager Richard Horn says.
But we're always looking at what more we can do and with the carpark building becoming a trouble spot we decided to see if parking the mobile camera nearby would put a stop to that, which it appears to have done. There are fixed security cameras in the area but these are not so visible or obvious. Council has had the mobile camera for some years and uses it for the likes of events, but this is the first time we've used it in this way so it's another tool we can consider using more often.
It's part of ongoing fine-tuning of inner city safety initiatives and our partnership with the police with a focus on our shared outcome, which is people feeling safe in the inner city, Mr Horn says.
Last summer Council teamed up with the police to focus on inner city safety, increasing CCTV monitoring, extending patrols by the Safe City Guardians and doing these jointly with police and security staff, alongside regular meetings with police to share information and discuss concerns.
There are 48 fixed security cameras located throughout the inner city and these are monitored by Council. An inner city community constable provides additional support and engages with local businesses, providing advice and assistance as needed.
The increased patrolling has continued since last summer and Council and police continue to meet regularly and are discussing plans for the summer months ahead.
We know there are still issues but we have had a lot of positive response and support from the public and businesses in the inner city, including Eat Streat, about the impact they see as a result of the patrols and the support provided by the community constable, Mr Horn says.
Senior Sergeant Karl Konlechner of the Rotorua Police says the joint approach to inner city safety benefits all parties and particularly the community.
We want people to feel safe but we can't be everywhere at once, so the partnership with Council means we have additional eyes and ears on the street and are receiving immediate information that enables us to respond quickly, he says.
We are aware some activity and incidents are not being reported to us so would really encourage people to make sure they do report these so they can be dealt with. We don't want people trying to deal with matters themselves and want to ensure we get a complete picture of what's happening so that we can continue to re-assess and review our response.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Seagull in iSite
Enquiry
Bit of an unusual request.
I've had a member of the public call just now distressed that a seagull is trapped in the tower of the i-Site building. They said they contacted the council yesterday and again today and was told there was nothing the council could do to get it out.
She admits it might need someone on the end of a long ladder to get it out but thinks there should be more done to free it as she thinks it's cruel seeing how frantic it is.
Can you let me know if the council has any plans in place to free the bird or if it's definitely one of those sad situations where nothing can be done as it would be too risky.
Can you please let me know asap this arvo as I guess time is of the essence.
Response
Daily Post was informed that:
Attempts were being made to capture the bird and set it free.
It was clarified that the bird was not trapped had flown inside the iSite and council staff had been unable to coax it down so it could fly out the open doors (the tower' it was in is a replica of the clock tower rather than being an actual tower and is essentially part of the ceiling so not enclosed. The windows in the tower do not open).
The bird was eventually freed.
