3 July 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Food premise closures
Inquiry
Media outlets have recently published a list of "Auckland's filthiest restaurants"
I have seen some comments on FB saying people wish the same list could be revealed for Rotorua.
Last week I was sent a full list of locations licensed to sell food. I was wondering if I could be re-sent the list but with each of the locations' food grade and when that grade was awarded.
As well as that, could I please have comment around:
- How is the grade determined?
- How often are premises assessed?
- What are the processes if a premise is given a D or E grade?
Response
From Manager, Compliance and Regulatory Services, Neven Hill:
Rotorua Lakes Council decided some years ago to not introduce a bylaw which required grading of food premises. A grade reflects a point in time (ie the day the grading is given), rather than ongoing practice, and could change from day to day as a result of any change in practice or complaints received and/or issues identified.
All food premises in Rotorua are registered under the Food Act and have an active Food Control Plan or National Programme which require Council and MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) approval. Any premises where there is deemed to be a level of risk - either because of the type of food they handle or because of any issues identified - are closely monitored.
Council staff work alongside the owners of any premises where issues are identified to get them back on track.
During the past 12 months the council has closed four premises for various lengths of time due to high risk issues found.
Premises can only re-open when a food safety officer is happy issues identified have been remedied to their satisfaction and where the officer is satisfied they have systems in place to ensure ongoing compliance with the Food Act and their Food Control Plan. Premises which have been closed for a period of time are monitored more closely than normal until Council is satisfied that is no longer required.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Soundshell removal
Inquiry
I am following up on this story we wrote in March regarding the demolition of the Soundshell at the Lakefront.
Specific questions:
- Has there been a date set for the start of the demolition process of the Soundshell?
- If not, has there been a hold up and why?
- Will any parts of the building be kept/reused for historical purposes or will it all be removed?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=12003475
Response
From Strategy Group Manager Jean-Paul Gaston:
Redevelopment of the lakefront area, including the Soundshell site, is included in the 2018-28 Long-term Plan which was adopted by Council last week.
Also last week we got the news that Council will receive $800,000 from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to progress the business cases for the lakefront redevelopment and proposed forest developments. This was great news coming right after adoption of the Long-term Plan and work on the business cases will start shortly. That will include detailed design for these developments and we will then submit applications for further funding from the PGF to deliver the projects. So there's a bit of work to be done before we finalise timings.
Background
The Soundshell has been flagged for removal for several years. The auditorium is earthquake prone and has been closed to the public since July 2015. It had already needed significant repair and sustained further damage when the roof failed in 2016. The western annex, which housed a caf, is not earthquake prone but has required ongoing maintenance.
Council investigated the possibility of retaining [the annex] as a stand-alone building but this was not feasible as it would require constructing a new exterior wall, new roof, renovations, asbestos removal and other replacements.
