3 April 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Government draft Policy Statement for Transport and Te Ngae Road
Enquiry
The Government released its draft Government Policy Statement today. The statement guides investment in transport. One aspect of that is a focus on regional transport projects. The statement doesn't name any specific projects but I wanted to talk to you about what projects you thought were key. Namely Te Ngae Rd. We are also talking with other key players: Todd McClay, Tamati Coffey.
So the questions would be around:
- Is Te Ngae Rd still a priority for the council?
- What other priorities would the council like to see addressed in the region?
- Previously it was said four lanes could be added to Te Ngae Rd by 2020, is this still a realistic goal?
- How will you advocate for Rotorua to get a bite of the fund?
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
We have an ongoing and constructive relationship with NZTA and take the opportunity to advocate on behalf of Rotorua whenever we speak with Government ministers and/or representatives. We'll continue to do that to ensure the government and its agencies are very aware of Rotorua's progress, needs, challenges and opportunities.
Improving the city's eastern corridor remains a priority for the council and there is progress. Several sections of work are planned for the portion of Te Ngae Rd from Sala St to Iles Rd, including Tarawera intersection where work is scheduled to start around September.
Work is also progressing on the business case for four-laning from Iles Rd to the airport and we are asking that the Bay of Plenty regional council elevate this project in terms of regional priorities - it's currently ranked 12 of 35 priority projects in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2018.
It's pleasing to see completion of the Hemo intersection and the Ngongotaha roundabout upgrade is expected to happen during the 2018/19 year.
All key corridors in and out of our city are priorities for us and we will continue to work with NZTA to ensure our roading network caters for both current and future needs of our growing district.
We haven't yet seen the draft policy statement on land transport but when we do, we will consider any feedback that may be appropriate.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Hemo roundabout and sculpture
Enquiry
A reporter sought comment from council about the progress of the Hemo Gorge sculpture
- Now the roundabout has been completed when can we expect the sculpture to be installed?
- What was the final cost of the sculpture? And does it have a name?
- Feel free to add anything further.
Response
From Stewart Brown as the Arts and Culture Manager -
The sculpture that will sit 12m above the ground at the centre of the new Hemo Gorge roundabout is the representation of a story so its description comes from the aspects of that.
The tale, unique to Te Arawa, is of two supernatural deities Te Pupu (heat) and Te Hoata (fire) and their search for Ngātoroirangi, the great ariki (chief) and tohunga (priest) of the Te Arawa waka.
The sculpture was designed by Stacy Gordine - the tumu (head of school) for Te Takapū o Rotowhio (National Stone and Bone Carving School of the New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia). Every aspect of the sculpture represents the strong culture, history and active environment of our district.
The estimated total cost of the project is $500,000.
Late last year after the original contractor was unable to fulfil the demands of creating the sculpture, local manufacturing firm Kilwell Fibretube approached Council and took over the production of the sculpture using world-leading 3D printing technology. The printing process is currently underway with about 60 sections (14%) completed so far.
10 printers on site at Kilwell's Rotorua factory will take almost 16,500 hours to create the sculpture which, if there are no delays, is expected to be installed at the roundabout in August or September this year.
