30 June 2017

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Plastic Free July

Inquiry

I am doing a story on Plastic Free July, and have some questions for the council.

- Are the Rotorua Lakes Council organising any events/campaigns to encourage people to take part in the challenge? Why/why not?

- Why does the Rotorua Lakes Council think Plastic Free July is a good idea?

- Which councilors are taking part in the challenge?

- What other steps are the RLC taking to reduce plastic in Rotorua? ie recycling at the night market

Response

Councillor Tania Tapsell was able to speak to RDP.

Council doesn't have any events planned for Plastic Free July but will be actively promoting the campaign via social media.

From Infrastructure General Manager Stavros Michael -

Campaigns like Plastic Free July are good opportunities to encourage the public to think about the amount of waste they create and how it affects our environment.

People tend to overlook the bigger picture when it comes to plastic - where it comes from, where it will end up and the costs involved in removing it. Making a conscious decision to moderate the waste will help to reduce the costs and the negative impact on earth's natural resources.

In 2016 Rotorua Lakes Council adopted a new Waste Strategy of which a key objective was to increase the amount of recycling recovered by 50% by 2022. To help achieve this Council introduced kerbside recycling which started in November last year. Figures from the first six months of the system being in place indicate that an annualised estimate will be well above the target at 73.3%.

To support this goal, Council installed public recycling bins at lakeside reserves and parks across the district.

The Rotorua Farmers Market and the Rotorua Night Market both also actively promote recycling by offering recycling bins for customers and encouraging vendors to use recyclable or biodegradable packaging.

During the next 12 months Council will also be working to establish recycling services in their communities.

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Media: Rotorua Review

Topic: Special Housing Accord

Inquiry

I'm aware Todd McClay is set to propose a Special Housing Accord for Rotorua, and to that end wanted to put some questions to Steve about this.

Firstly I wanted to ask whether council would agree to the Housing Accord partnership proposal?

Secondly, given the nature of the Accord - Central Government coming on board to help streamline processes - is there an implicit suggestion of failings at council around this issue at present?

Lastly, if council is minded to take up the proposal, do you have any indication of when it may come info effect?

Response

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:

I look forward to further discussions with our MP and the relevant ministers to understand more about how an accord might work to help Council address the pressures of our growing district.

This proposal recognises that Rotorua is growing and facing challenges as a result of that growth.

It shows confidence in our district - people are moving here, we have population growth, we've also seen substantial and ongoing commercial development and our economy has been performing above the national average. While we welcome growth it also presents challenges for us, putting pressure on our housing stock, our infrastructure and our environment, and we need to find ways to address those challenges.

I have spoken previously with Todd and Minister Steve Joyce about the need for more housing in Rotorua and the need to explore ways to unlock land and encourage residential development. I'm heartened we have had a response to our requests for assistance.

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Media: Rotorua Review

Topic: Short term rentals

Inquiry

I'm working on a story about some Tihiotonga residents and their issues with some Book a Bach properties, and wanted to ask a couple of questions to that end.

I believe either Thomas Colle or Neven Hill may be best?

Firstly I wanted to ask about the vote to retain the current policy re allowing 100 days of rental use for residential properties, which I believe took place during the Annual Plan deliberations

Can I ask which councillors voted for, and against?

Also with regard to monitoring of the 100 days limit:

Is there anyone at council who checks on this?

My understanding is it relies solely on members of the public raising the issue with council about a certain property - is that correct?

Response

See below the resolution passed by councillors during deliberations/decision-making on the 2017/18 annual plan which sets out the commitment Council has made to working on this issue.

As you'll see from the resolution, work on this issue is ongoing.

Council relies on self-regulation of the 100 day threshold but will follow up if notified by a member of the public regarding this. In such cases the property owners need to provide evidence that they have not gone over the 100 day threshold that would see them move to a business rate.

Votes for and against during council meetings are not minuted unless someone requests that their vote against be noted. There is no vote against the resolution noted in the minutes.

Council committed to the following regarding short-term rental accommodation:

Council resolved to:

Retain the existing policy of 100 days rental and look to move to more proactive monitoring and enforcement.

Continue to review its provisions in the District Plan and undertake a plan change should one be required.

Work with the hospitality industry, Destination Rotorua and the community to ensure that any future proposed District Plan change does not cause additional unnecessary cost and/or barriers to our community or the tourism sector.

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Media: Hawkes Bay Today

Topic: Begging

Inquiry

We are surveying a number of councils about their regulations around begging - given how much the issue has been in the spotlight recently. It is for a piece in the Hawke's Bay Today newspaper.

1. Does the Rotorua Lakes Council impose a bylaw which prohibits/limits people from soliciting money without authority?

2. Are there any other council regulations/by-laws etc which address begging/rough sleepers/homeless people?

3. What measures does the council have in place to address homelessness/begging?

Response

Please attribute response to Neven Hill, Compliance Solutions Manager:

Bylaws exist that put constraint on activities like soliciting money without authority and rough sleeping, but Bylaws are used as a last resort.

Where there is an issue around homelessness and/or begging our City Guardians usually talk with the person. If the issue continues and people feel threatened or intimidated the Police intervene and trespass notices have been issued in the past.

Please attribute response to Rosemary Viskovic, Strategic Development Manager- Sustainability and Social Development:

Council is part of a group comprising local community agencies with a strategy focussed on addressing homelessness issues. The group includes Ministry of Social Development, Lifewise, Salvation Army, Link people, Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue and also links to other service providers.

Council also provides 152 pensioner housing units, and is working with Ministry of Social Development and Housing New Zealand, connecting local providers and supporting planning for social and affordable housing supply in Rotorua.

ENDS

*City Guardians - Rotorua Lakes Council's City Safe Guardians is based on other successful safety patrol models operating around New Zealand.

They are the extra "eyes and ears" for Council, Rotorua Police and Local businesses and engage with members of the public.