7 February 2020
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post, BOP Times, NZ Herald)
Topic: Water use/restrictions
Enquiry
I was wondering if the Rotorua Lakes Council was considering putting in water restrictions?
Are you able to provide comment on the current state of our water situation and any advice for residents?
Response
From 3 Waters Services Manager Eric Cawte:
Due to the current dry weather we are seeing a steady increase in water use in all supplies across the District, most noticeable in the Eastern and Hamurana/Kaharoa supplies. In spite of Rotorua having reliable water sources to draw from, if usage gets too high, it can exceed the capacity of our pumps and resource consents to keep the reservoirs topped up. With no rain forecast, we request and remind all consumers to be sensible with water use, to reduce wastage and unnecessary use where possible. At this stage water restrictions are not planned, however if water usage continues to increase to very high levels, it remains an option to be considered.
Tips for water usage in summer are:
- Allow the lawn to go brown - it will recover when rainfall returns.
- If watering gardens or lawns, a good watering every few days is sufficient - and use a hand-held hose rather than a sprinkler
- Water just the gardens (not the paths or driveways)
- If washing a vehicle, use a bucket and don't let the hose run to waste.
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Media: Rotorua-based Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Forest signage
Enquiry
NOTE: Reporter provided photos of Council Long Mile Road/Whakarewarewa Forest signage on the ground in an area on Long Mile Road.
Can you please tell me if these are/were council signs?
A reader has sent the photos in and believes they have been left there by the council.
If they are council signs I'll be keen to know if they were removed by council workers/contractors, if they were left at this spot (on Long Mile Road) by the council, and if so when and why.
Response
Reporter was provided with the following information:
The signs belong to Council and were removed in 2019 while works were underway.
Council are considering whether they can reuse or reskin the signs and stockpiled the signs near the carpark on Long Mile Rd until a decision was made.
The signs are scheduled for relocation next week until plans for signage can be finalised.
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Media: Waikato Times/Stuff
Topic: Water use/restrictions
Enquiry
Can you please tell me what water alert level Rotorua is on at the moment?
I am working on a story about water restrictions across the district.
Response
From 3 Waters Services Manager Eric Cawte:
Due to the current dry weather we are seeing a steady increase in water use in all supplies across the District, most noticeable in the Eastern and Hamurana/Kaharoa supplies. In spite of Rotorua having reliable water sources to draw from, if usage gets too high, it can exceed the capacity of our pumps and resource consents to keep the reservoirs topped up. With no rain forecast, we request and remind all consumers to be sensible with water use, to reduce wastage and unnecessary use where possible. At this stage water restrictions are not planned, however if water usage continues to increase to very high levels, it remains an option to be considered.
Tips for water usage in summer are:
- Allow the lawn to go brown - it will recover when rainfall returns.
- If watering gardens or lawns, a good watering every few days is sufficient - and use a hand-held hose rather than a sprinkler
- Water just the gardens (not the paths or driveways)
- If washing a vehicle, use a bucket and don't let the hose run to waste.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post, BOP Times, NZ Herald)
Topic: CBD vacancies
Enquiry
Could I please have a comment from Council:
Views on the general state based on the Telfer Young report on the increasing vacancy in the CBD?
NOTE: reporter did not provide the report she referred to or any information or comments she had from Telfer Young
Response
Council ascertained that there is no report yet, the Telfer Young report on its annual CBD survey is due to be released in late February. The following response was provided to the reporter:
Telfer Young provide in depth analysis in their comprehensive report of the industrial, commercial office and retail sectors.
This report is due to be released in late February and it is at this time that Council will be able to respond.
