8 January 2018
Media: Rotorua Review (Fairfax)
Topic: Treefall fatality
Enquiry
Reporter requested a copy of the February 2017 report on the Arawa Oak which was referred to in Friday's statement from Council.
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council CE Craig Tiriana:
Rotorua Lakes Council is cooperating with the police investigation and is in the process of compiling information for that purpose.
Out of respect for Trish Butterworth's whanau/family I don't believe it would be appropriate to supply this information to the media before the police and the family.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Treefall fatality
Enquiry
Follow-up questions re treefall fatality and post-storm wrap:
1. When will the investigation into the tree begin?
2. Who will carry out the investigation?
3. How long is it expected to take?
4. Are there any other trees around Rotorua the council is currently undertaking safety precautions for? e.g. reinforcing etc... Where are they.
5. How much clean up is there still to do?
6. This is the third storm in less than 12 months that has done considerable damage in the city. Is council looking into ways to better limit the damage during these weather events?
SUBSEQUENT QUESTION:
Can you confirm whether concrete was pumped into the tree in any area and why this was done?
Response
The reporter was referred to the police regarding questions 1, 2 and 3 and was provided with the following response:
From Rotorua Lakes Council Acting Chief Executive Craig Tiriana:
As there was a death involved the matter is in the hands of the police and we anticipate there will also be a coronial investigation. Council will cooperate fully with that inquiry.
We are in the process of gathering all relevant information.
There are about 10 other trees in the district which are braced to maintain the structure of the tree. Locations of these include the Rotorua lakefront, Government Gardens, Koutu Road, Jean Batten park and Stoney Point at Tarawera.
Braced trees have been checked in recent months by council contractors and these, along with others, will be assessed again as part of our post-storm checks.
Post-storm checks and the clean-up are ongoing and will include the central city as well as the wider district including parks and reserves and the roading network. Council received nearly 40 reports of damage to trees sited on street/road verges and in parks and reserves, and about the same regarding tree, branch and debris falls on roads around the district. Staff and contractors will work their way through a systematic post-storm programme of checks, clean-up and repairs.
Rotorua has been affected by several storms during the past year. Council does what it can to prepare for anticipated storms in order to minimise or prevent issues and damage as much as is possible when it comes to weather.
People are urged to remain vigilant in and around forests, reserves and parks where trees may have been damaged, and caution should still be taken on the roads where risk remains for slips and treefalls due to ground saturation.
Treefalls, tree damage, debris and slips should be reported to Council on 07-348 4199 any time.
RESPONSE TO SUBSEQUENT QUESTION:
A police investigation is underway and Council is currently in the process of gathering relevant information for that inquiry.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Museum options follow-up
Enquiry
On October 5 last year Thomas Colle presented the four "seismic design" options for the repair of the Museum.
At the time Thomas said he wouldn't be making any estimates as to the cost, but they were talking multiples of $10 million, and the council aimed to have costs for the options within the next three months.
I refer to this presentation.
We are now a few days past that three months so I would like to put the following questions: (likely to Thomas) but to whoever you see as the best fit.
- What are the costs for each of the four repair options?
- How were the costs calculated?
- Have the council chosen to work with a specific contractor on the repairs?
- Where does the process go from here?
- What will the consultation process look like now the cost is known?
- If the costs haven't yet been calculated why has that not been done within the deadline given by council?
Response
See below in response to your enquiry and please note that it would be incorrect for you to refer to a deadline for this work. Thomas Coll told councillors during his October presentation that the aim was to have it done in 3 months - that's not a deadline. As you will understand and as has been stated before, the museum is a complex building and the work relating to it is complex. Plus, as you'll also appreciate, there has been a Xmas/New Year break between then and now.
From Rotorua Lakes Council Acting Chief Executive Craig Tiriana:
Work on costings for Rotorua Museum options is ongoing. The museum remains a priority but this is not simple work and needs to be done properly and thoroughly.
The costings work is expected to be completed within the first half of this year and will go to Council for its direction prior to community consultation being undertaken.
