31 July 2018

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Homeless shelter

Inquiry

The reporter followed up with Council about the status of the homeless shelter now opening on Pukuatua Street.

Visions of a Helping Hand were anticipating the paperwork would be submitted and consent approved by the end of the week.

- Have Rotorua Lakes Council received the draft reports, if so when were these received?

- Have Rotorua Lakes Council received the the consent application and final reports, if so when were these received?

- Has consent been granted for the building, if not when is that expected to happen?

- What are the next steps from here?

Response

The following information was provided:

Final fire safety and structural reports, along with a building consent application, were filed with Council on Friday (27 July).

Consent was granted yesterday (Monday 30 July) and the consent was picked up today (Tuesday 31 July).

Re next steps - see information previously provided regarding the process:

What's involved in getting consent for a change of use?

1. Building owner or operator notifies council they want to change use.
2. Owner or operator employs experts to undertake reports (eg structural and fire safety) to determine what, if any, upgrades are needed.
3. Council assesses the report/s and determines if building consent is needed.
4. If not, the owner/operator can go ahead with any work required, as per their reports.
5. If they need consent, they then lodge a consent application.
6. Consent application is processed.
7. Once consent is approved they then complete the work that needs to be done.

When the work is completed they get sign-off and a code of compliance certificate' from Council prior to change of use.