9 April 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: NZTA bilingual road signage
Enquiry
A reporter sought comment from Mayor Steve Chadwick regarding a conversation he was informed the mayor had had with chair of NZTA re bilingual road signage.
Response
From Mayor Chadwick:
I have spoken to the chair of NZTA and as I have been from the start, I'm confident there is a solution. Council has a constructive working relationship with NZTA and we will keep working on this - we'll get there. This will set the precedent for other places so it needs to be done properly and we need to get it right.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Susan Street playground
Enquiry
The following questions were asked in regards to ongoing issues at Susan Street playground:
- What kind of vandalism has been reported?
- How was it established/confirmed broken glass was deliberately placed in the playgound?
- How did the council become aware of this vandalism (and in particular the broken glass)? (e.g. have members of the public reported it or was it through routine staff checks?)
- What is the council doing to curb the vandalism?
- Are there any other playgrounds in the city being vandalised regularly?
- When did police become involved?
Further questions:
- Can I just get some clarity around what you mean when the council is considering the park's future?
- Is it at risk of being disassembled?
- Reporter also wanted to know how many parks have been disassembled.
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council's Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley:
We have been carrying out regular checks at Susan Street playground since contractors discovered in November that the park had been vandalised and glass had been buried in the playground bark. Council doesn't condone any behaviour that poses a danger to the public including the safety of children. In November, we reported the matter to the police and a separate report was also filed to the police by our security fencing contractor whose equipment was damaged. Council has received four calls from the community about vandalism concerns at Susan Street park and we urge people to continue contacting us. Since November, we have undertaken extensive work there on several occasions including repairing equipment and removing glass by replacing all bark in the park, which on the last occasion cost Council more than $15,000 in December to clean up. Council is currently considering the future of the park. Vandalism at the Susan Street playground appears to be more problematic than other playgrounds where there are issues with graffiti, broken equipment, trampled gardens and rubbish being dumped.
Further response:
Yes, the team's considering the future of the park given it poses a community safety risk.
In the past five years, Council has disestablished two playgrounds as a result of repeat vandalism. These playgrounds were:
- In Sanatorium Reserve near Marist St Michaels Rugby and Sports Club
- Homedale Street Reserve
