Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Emergency accommodation
Enquiry
I have a late request after just receiving a phone call from Todd McClay who is making a follow up comment on the issue with the breaches to the district plan as a result of some emergency housing.
I realise it's late in the day but I was hoping to get a response from the council to one question by the end of the day if possible. Apologies, but as I'm sure you'll understand this is the nature of news. Please let me know if you think it's doable but I understand if it's not.
McClay is saying the following:
He is calling on the council to urgently contact all motel owners informing them of their obligations under the district plan and the Resource Management Act that they cannot take any more long-term emergency housing clients.
He said this meant the Government had to stop using Rotorua as a dumping ground for the country's homelessness problem and it meant that the Ministry of Social Development could start focusing on those who were already in the motels and transitioning them into more permanent accommodation that was within the law.
McClay said this latest issue with the district plan meant Rotorua should be saying "no more".
"This should be a cap and sinking lid policy and means the people being left to languish in the motels have a chance of being helped by the Government and not being left there for years and years."
Please answer the following question, as well as feel free to make any further comment.
Will the council do as Todd McClay suggests and contact the motels asking them to stop taking in more long-term emergency housing clients?
Response
The reporter was advised that Council had nothing further to add to what was provided previously this week.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Population projections for Rotorua
Enquiry
I am seeking a comment from Steve Chadwick and other relevant council staff for the paper tomorrow on the population projections for the city.
Stats NZ recently released the figures for Rotorua shows it is expected to grow by 10,000 people in the next 27 years - around 84,800.
- What would this mean for the city? Do you think the city will be able to handle it?
- How much of a factor does population growth go into daily Council considerations? How so?
- What will the biggest challenges be?
- What will the biggest benefits be?
- Any other comments welcomed!
Response
FromDeputy Mayor Dave Donaldson:
Growth projections underpin all of council’s long-term planning. We are seeing a continuation of the strong growth that we have been experiencing since 2016.
As the leaders of this city we want to see sustainable growth and development but how Rotorua grows is a challenge. Housing and infrastructure investment, and how we meet those needs as we face the challenges of climate change are the priorities that this Council is focussed on.
These are challenges that we will need Central Government’s assistance with to find short, medium and long-term solutions for our community. That work is underway now.
There are also benefits to growth and we are experiencing those now. Current business owners and those looking to invest can have the confidence that the population in Rotorua will continue to grow. We have also been able to unlock Central Government funding opportunities to support development in Rotorua – Rotorua Lakefront Redevelopment, Whakarewarewa Forest Project, Rotorua Museum and Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre and funding to support residential development in the Eastside of Rotorua. Through those Government partnerships, Rotorua has received in excess of $100 million and we expect to see more opportunities arise from the funding recently announced by the Government to support housing development.
As a Council it’s vital that we continuously review the long-term strategies that we have in place for the community (e.g. the Long-Term Plan, Infrastructure strategy) to ensure that we are not taking an overly conservative approach to growth estimates.
Response from Rotorua Economic Development:
Population growth tells us that as a district we are heading in the right direction. It also tells us there is continued confidence that our district is a viable and attractive place to not only visit but to live, do business and invest.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Cars parked in cycle lanes
Enquiry
I'm writing a story about Aaron Gillions' grievances about people parking in cycle lanes around Rotorua.
He sent an email to NZTA and the council on Sunday expressing his frustration about people parking in the cycle lanes at the league tournament held at Puketawhero Park on Te Ngae Rd at the weekend. I've pasted the email below for your reference.
He said this is an ongoing issue and he's given me examples of a waka on a trailer on Parawai Rd and a truck parked in Ngongotaha. He said he has alerted the council and NZTA about these issues in the past.
His criticism is that he believes it doesn't appear these rules are enforced or that anyone is ever fined etc.
For each question, please answer in line by midday tomorrow (Friday) and include Luke Kirkness in your response (he is cc'd).
- What is the specific offence for parking in a cycle lane?
- What is the penalty?
- Does this get policed?
- Who is it policed by?
- Are tickets ever issued?
- Does the council take cycle safety seriously?
- Please feel free to add any additional comments you feel is relevant.
Email from Mr Gillions
Once again I find myself having to email about the appalling and unsafe situation that occurs many times over the winter months.
Over this weekend there have been in excess of 50 vehicles including a bus parked in the cycle lane on Te Ngae Road.
While NZTA and Council pat themselves on the back for creating cycleways for the safety of cyclists there is little to no enforcement of vehicles that park in the cycle lane, I understand that the council only care about mountain bikers and have little interest in road cyclists however this is a major safety issue that is ongoing and clearly will take someone being seriously hurt or killed for any action to be taken.
I've suggested that yellow lines be painted along the cycle lane but nothing has happened, awaiting the potential upcoming improvements to Te Ngae Road further risk the safety of cyclists using the road..
I ask this - are cycle lanes merely tokenism from NZTA and Council so you can tick off a Government requirement or have you truly put them there for the safety of cyclists?
Response
From Niki Carling, Safe and Sustainable Journeys Manager at Rotorua Lakes Council:
Council takes the safety of all road users seriously – including cyclists. Safety is a fundamental aspect of the Cycling Strategic Plan, which aims to achieve “a district in which people from all sectors of the community can and do cycle safely for transport and enjoyment”.
Council’s road safety programme includes cyclist safety, which aligns with the Government’s Road to Zero Road Safety Strategy. We provide cycle skills training programmes for school children and seniors, and regular promotional campaigns targeted at safe road use for motorists, pedestrians and people using active modes of transport (e.g. bikes, scooters, mobility devices). We have also recently undertaken a speed limit review which proposed speed reduction on a number of local roads to improve safety for all users including cyclists.
We are seeing an increase in people using other modes of transport to get to where they want to go. With investment by Council and Waka Kotahi into more facilities for active mode transport, we encourage motorists to park with consideration of others and their safety. We ask motorists to keep cycle lanes, shared paths and footpaths free for the people who need to use them.
Further information:
Under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 act, it is an offence to park in a ‘special lane’. (https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/latest/DLM303602.html).
Special vehicle lanes include bus lanes, transit lanes, cycle lane, and light rail vehicle lanes. (https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/latest/DLM302197.html)
The infringement for parking in a cycle lane is $60.
Rotorua Lakes Council responds to reports of vehicles parking illegally as they occur. If someone reports an offence as it is happening, Councils parking contractor iPark is sent to attend and potentially issue an infringement notice.
For your information: Parking wardens monitor the CBD area, and will attend reports of illegal parking in urban areas if they are reported as the incident is occurring.
Police are also able to issue parking infringements under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 act.
Not for comment: If you want information about infringement history on cycle lanes, it will take more time to pull this data.
Response from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency -
Section 6.6 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 explains the restrictions on parking in a special vehicle lane, such as a cycle lane. There are very specific exceptions outlined in that section.
Infringement fees for parking in a special vehicle lane are set at $60 in the Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999. If convicted in court, the maximum penalty is $1000.
Enforcement depends on the status of the road but, as well as police, local road controlling authorities such as district or city councils appoint parking wardens to issue infringement notices.
For all state highways passing through ‘cities and towns’, enforcement of no stopping or parking on cycle lanes on roads is delegated to the local road controlling authority. They are best placed to provide information on the level of enforcement within their area.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s focus is on providing one integrated, multi-modal transport system that helps people get the most out of life, by whichever way they choose to get around - whether it’s by bike, by car, by public transport, or on foot. New cycling infrastructure is continuing to be delivered through the National Land Transport Plan to provide dedicated walking and cycling options. We’re working across the country with our partners to deliver this safer, more accessible and attractive network for cycling and to help drive positive change. The safety of all road users is an ongoing priority for Waka Kotahi, supported by the Road to Zero road safety strategy.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Code of Conduct complaints
Enquiry
I understand Councillor Reynold Macpherson is answering to three new code of conduct complaints - one from the chief executive, another from Shirley Trumper and another from Cr Fisher Wang.
I am after responses from the council/chief executive and the mayor by 2pm tomorrow (April 29) please.
Some of the comments below for right of reply apply to the CE, the mayor, or both. For this reason I haven't separated them.
For comments from the mayor and chief executive - can they please respond to each question in line.
Thanks very much
Could you please advise, for an article:
- What date was the email regarding the wastewater leak near Ngongotahā sent to councillors and what were its contents?
- Can the council please explain what "serious incorrect statement" (in the chief executive's words) Cr Macpherson made about Manahautū Māori Gina Rangi and how has this been responded to?
- Why did the chief executive ask to be part of the meeting between the mayor and Cr Macpherson about his own complaint?
- Who can make a complaint under the Elected Members' Code of Conduct? Is there any limit to who can? If so, what is the limit?
- Are there any other current code of conduct complaints against elected members (including those at Step 1)? If so, what are they?
- At what point in the process are the current complaints against Cr Macpherson at now?
- Who progresses a Code of Conduct complaint to step 2 - is it the complainants or the mayor?
- In the July decision about code of conduct complaints, it states "That the committee recommends that the Council consider a review of the Code of Conduct to more specifically address social media activities and the effect of the HDCA, and whether there are any process changes or refinements that would assist in achieving the purpose of the legislation." - can you please confirm the council agreed to this and if so, where in the process of implementing this is the council?
Questions for the mayor:
- Why did you decide (as is implied by your letter to Cr Macpherson dated April 13) to progress the complaints against Cr Macpherson to step 2 under the code (ie to a formal process)?
- Was the cost ($60,000) and outcome (Cr Macpherson's refusal to apologise) of the last set of code of conduct complaints against Cr Macpherson a consideration in that decision?
- Why did you not wait for an Ombudsman's ruling on Cr Macpherson's concerns before progressing? Was this possible? Why / why not?
- Do you think your position facilitating the chief executive's complaint process was compromised by your public demand for an apology for the post? Why / why not?
- Are the complaints being 'bundled' or dealt with separately? Why?
- Comments for right of reply (see below)
For the chief executive:
- Cr Macpherson appears to believe it is inappropriate for you, as the chief executive, to make a complaint under the code of conduct. Is it inappropriate - why /why not?
- Comments for right of reply (see below)
Comments (all Cr Macpherson)
Macpherson: Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers threatened the “regime” the chief executive and mayor had “jointly controlled since her election in 2013”.
“[Chadwick and Williams] have appeared to have weaponised the code [of conduct] to attack me as a potential challenger and to demand apologies that are intended to undermine my reputation.”
...
“It is interesting that the chief executive’s complaint also seeks to reverse the traditional direction of accountability in public organisations where officials typically account to elected members,” Macpherson wrote.
...
“My opinion is that the leak is a result of inadequate investment into core infrastructure over decades, and more recently because ratepayers’ money has been invested in iwi partnerships, grandiose redevelopments and vanity projects. Others will have other opinions.”
...
To the chief ombudsman Peter Boshier requesting the Ombudsman’s Office provide a ruling on the “standing” of the chief executive’s complaint:
He asked the Ombudsman to decide whether “the degree of predetermination exhibited by the mayor and other elected members inappropriately precludes the possibility of natural justice” in the determination of the complaint.
...
He said it was responding in line with the Harmful Digital Communications Act and asked the mayor to handle the complaints separately and “without prejudice”.
“I ask you to respond respectfully and fulsomely to the real concerns I have expressed on the chief executive’s standing and on examples of predetermination by colleagues, including yourself. And surely by now you must know that I will not be bullied into setting these issues aside.”
He said he believed he was “to be beaten by the olive branch” he offered to Williams in the form of his line-by-line response to Williams’ complaint and his response to “identify common ground and to park unresolvable issues”.
Response
The following information and comment was provided:
What date was the email regarding the wastewater leak near Ngongotahā sent to councillors and what were its contents? Can you please clarify what email you are referring to? From whom?
Can the council please explain what "serious incorrect statement" (in the chief executive's words) Cr Macpherson made about Manahautū Māori Gina Rangi and how has this been responded to? [the following image was provided]