7 February 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Foodstuffs Rotorua closure
Enquiry
The Rotorua Daily Post sought comment from Cr Dave Donaldson, as economic portfolio lead, and from Mayor Chadwick following news Foodstuffs is closing down its Rotorua distribution centre in 2020 which will affect 51 staff.
Response
Cr Donaldson spoke to the reporter by phone. The Mayor provided the following response:
We can't influence the business decision Foodstuffs has made but we are fortunate there are other businesses which are aligned to our district and its direction and are moving to Rotorua, for example Thode and Kmart.
It's always disappointing when business decisions impact on individuals in our community and we hope staff will be taken care of and can be retained in Rotorua, rather than being redeployed elsewhere.
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Media: The Mud
Topic: Cycleway construction
Enquiry
The following questions were asked:
1. The volume and cost of concrete used to construction cycleways.
2. The number of trees cut down during the construction of cycleways.
In addition, I have a query as to what, if any, work has been done to study the likely impact of building cycleways adjacent to streams. This relates to [a Nov 2017] agenda note "Application with Bay of Plenty Regional Council for global consent to build and maintain cycleways on Rotorua stream edges to be lodged by end of year."
Response
The following information was provided:
The CyWay network aims to connect neighbourhoods with schools, the inner city, facilities and recreational spaces around Rotorua city - ie connect people with the places they want to go. It also aims to encourage more people to ride bikes by making it safer and easier to do so.
Benefits include reducing demand on roads, reducing car emissions, improving safety for people who ride, improving visitor connectivity, enhancing Rotorua as a biking destination and health and fitness benefits.
Funding for the CyWay programme is shared with $1.5m from the Government's national urban cycleways fund, $2.09m from NZTA and $1.93m from Rotorua Lakes Council.
The CyWay network is a mix of on-road (eg Brent Road where a portion of the roadway has become a dedicated cycleway), off-road (eg city to Ngongotaha which is largely off-road) and shared paths where existing footpaths are widened and resurfaced and become shared space for pedestrians as well as cyclists and other wheeled users). There are only a couple of sections of cycleways which have involved/will involve, constructing new concrete cycleways along grass verges, such as along Sophia Street.
There is no cost line which separates/calculates the volume and cost of concrete specifically for cycleways. This is a cost which is included in overall project contract costs which also includes site preparation, construction, traffic management etc.
The CyWay programme has been aligned and incorporated with Council's footpath renewals programme for cost-effectiveness and as required by the funding agreement with Government.
To date, the CyWay programme has required no trees to be removed. However, some trees will need to be removed to create the proposed shared path along Ranolf Street. These will be replaced and additional trees will be added along this shared path. Tree removal is a last resort and the CyWays team works closely with parks staff at the planning stage to consider all options and also to ensure trees are protected during construction eg installing root guards around trees such as was done for construction of the Springfield cycleway.
The application to Bay of Plenty Regional Council for global consent to build and maintain cycleways on Rotorua stream edges refers to proposed plans to improve existing multi-use paths along stream edges. Rotorua Lakes Council works with the regional council to ensure any work does not detract from or impact on the environment.
If you are wanting to know anything about cycleways along state highways, such as that along Old Taupo Road leading to the Hemo roundabout, you would need to speak with NZTA as those are NZTA projects. The agency incorporates cycling infrastructure in its roading projects.
For more detail about projects within the CyWay programme go to www.cyway.nz
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Aotearoa Bike Challenge
Enquiry
The following questions were asked in relation to the Aotearoa Bike Challenge:
- Why did you decide to enter the council for the second year?
- What do you think are the benefits for staff getting involved in the challenge?
- How many staff members are in the team taking part? Does the team have a goal for the challenge?
- What is it that you enjoy about biking?
- Why would you encourage others to involved in the Bike Challenge, as well as Bike Month this month?
- Do you have any photos available from last year or from this year that could go with the story?
Response
Please see response below from Sustainable Journeys Coordinator Rachel Doelman -
The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is a really great fit for the staff at Rotorua Lakes Council. We have staff who are passionate about biking and enjoy encouraging their workmates to give it a go.
As an organisation our main goal is to promote bike riding within our community and our employees are a great place to start - plus there's the added incentive to be the winning workplace.
The main thing about the challenge is just getting people to give it a go and from there experience the benefits of riding.
Bike Month activities offer some fun, light-hearted ways to try out bike riding and we want to get the whole community involved.
106 staff are signed up online for the challenge.
Last year we came first in the Bay of Plenty and our aim is to take that out again.
I personally enjoy the freedom of biking, along with the minimal maintenance costs and zero fuel costs.
There is an unspoken friendship between people who ride bikes, it is like we all know it is an awesome way to get around and just want to share the love.
Check out all the Bike Month events planned by following our page at www.facebook.com/cyway or at www.sportbop.co.nz
To sign up for the Aotearoa Bike Challenge go to www.lovetoride.net/nz
(additional note: RLC did not sign up as an organisation. We just promote among staff and they indicate which organisation they work for. Prizes etc are all available to individuals only.)
