15 July 2021
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: 3 Waters Reform support package announcement
Enquiry
As you know there's a Government announcement at midday - we will be keen for the mayor's and council's take on this please.
and also if the council can help facilitate a mana whenua voice regarding the release - could we please also have that too?
[Request for comment was referring to joint statement from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Local Government today, announcing a 3 waters support package and discussing the forward partnership on the 3 waters reform proposals here: Government to provide support for water reforms, jobs and growth | Beehive.govt.nz]
Response
We contacted Te Arawa Lakes Trust on behalf of the reporter and provided contact details to reporter.
The mayor provided the following comment:
From Mayor Chadwick:
The Government’s recommitment today to work in partnership with local government on 3 waters as well as on other challenges and opportunities was welcome, as was the support package.
Having certainty with regards to infrastructure investment, coupled with the support package could, for example, enable us to really progress – and potentially do more – in terms of housing for our district.
There is still a lot to be considered, of course, and on behalf of our community we will continue to be part of the reforms conversation to advocate for the best possible outcomes for our district.
Key principles our council has taken in to the reform discussions include the need to maintain local involvement in decision-making, and ensure iwi interests are upheld and strong partnerships with iwi are not compromised.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Housing
Enquiry
I am seeking a response from the council on the number of houses built and bought in Rotorua in the last 3 years.
More houses have been built than originally planned, and more are on the horizon as Government fast tracks housing in the city.
Figures provided to the Rotorua Daily Post under the Official Information Act by Kāinga Ora revealed 73 houses have been added in the last five years, all of which happened from July 2018.
This broke down to 12 houses built and 61 redevelopments.
A Kāinga Ora spokeswoman said redevelopments were state homes were demolished and replaced with a higher density of new homes on the site.
The Public Housing Plan 2018 - 2022 stated up to 275 homes would be built across the region by the end of next year.
The plan was that 60 would be built in Rotorua by Kainga Ora.
They've also bought eight houses to be used for public housing, costing $4,810,000.
- What would you say the housing need is in the city?
- What are your thoughts on the above stats?
- What is the council's role in the partnership of creating the homes?
- Would you say the above is helping?
- Do you think this is enough, fast enough?
- Any other comments are welcomed.
Response
From Jocelyn Mikaere – DCE Community Wellbeing:
Housing is a key priority for council and we have seen a significant amount of work happen in the past few months to begin to put into place the right actions for Rotorua.
It’s positive to see more homes becoming available but we know there is a lot more work to do to enable the development of the thousands of houses of all types that Rotorua needs. We need a range of new development across the city with the appropriate infrastructure and amenities to support the growth in our community.
We are committed to delivering what has been set out in the 2021-2031 Long-term Plan but we’ve always said that we cannot achieve this by ourselves, so the partnerships we have with Central Government, relevant agencies and iwi are key to keeping the momentum going.
Information provided:
RE: Council’s role in creating homes (general, not just specific to Kainga Ora houses):
Housing is a key plank of the proposed 2021-31 Long-term Plan which was adopted at the end of June. See pages 14 - 16 of the LTP HERE re actions relating to housing. As set out in the LTP, the target for building and developing new homes is 3000 in 5 years (6000 by 2030) and additional land available for 4000 residential sections.
Work on an inner city strategy is underway. Please note reference to CBD on p16 of the LTP document re proposed inner city incentives policy which will, in part, aim to encourage accommodation and residential development in the CBD.
Also underway are actions outlined in the Draft Economic Development Strategy Framework which includes actions relating to the CBD:
- Build investment and development confidence in the CBD through an Inner City Plan and targeted incentives
- Partner with major investors and developers to establish 2 place making CBD projects that support inner city residential living
- Partner with Central Government to ensure investment supports city vibrancy and resilience
For your reference, you’ll find the Draft Economic Development Strategy HERE
Other mahi currently underway
Housing Strategy (developed in partnership with Te Arawa and Central Government agencies)
Actions in the strategy are underway in collaboration with the relevant parties/agencies; the plan aims to deliver short, medium and long-term housing solutions and RLC is currently working closely with Central Government agencies, iwi and others to address emergency housing in Rotorua.
Investment in infrastructure upgrades including wastewater, roading and stormwater is underway throughout the city;
This is ongoing and the 30-year infrastructure plan that was adopted alongside the 2021-31 Long-term Plan outlines plans to invest $424m into core infrastructure (roading, stormwater, sewerage and water supplies) across the next 10 years to ensure safe, reliable infrastructure that is able to meet current demand and support future demand and housing development.
Council is progressing a District Plan Change to facilitate housing at Pukehangi
Fast-track Plan Change was approved by Government in March this year (see HERE on RLC website and reported by RDP HERE). RLC continues to work with the developers to support the progression of their housing development plans at Pukehangi.
Council and NZTA received Government funding for roading and stormwater upgrades to support proposed housing at Wharenui
Planning for this is underway/progressing - see bottom of p64/top of p65 of the 3 June Operations & Monitoring Committee agenda HERE re update on CIP funding provided for infrastructure to enable housing at Wharenui
Council is collaborating with Tatau Pounamu Collective on an eastside locality plan that will address the future needs, aspirations and resilience of communities there
Following approval of a draft plan developed by RLC and TPC, we have been working with the community and a finalised plan . . . was presented at the SP&F meeting on 8 July and the committee recommended that it go to full Council for approval later this month. See HERE for further information about this kaupapa.
Long-term infrastructure planning is underway See above re 30-year infrastructure plan and LTP
Other mahi also underway in relation to housing: See pages 45 and 46 of the3 June Operations & Monitoring Committee agenda (agenda is HERE) re updates on housing-related mahi the council is undertaking (this includes Taskforce mahi but you’ll also see reference to other work that’s underway and relates to housing)
Response from Kainga Ora:
From Darren Toy, Regional Director Bay of Plenty, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities:
Kāinga Ora, as the key delivery agency on the Government’s public housing commitment, as well as the Government’s lead developer in the planning and delivery of urban development projects of all sizes, has a significant role to play in delivering more homes and ensuring these homes are part of thriving communities. To help us do this Kāinga Ora has a land acquisition programme to enable us to scale up construction of good quality, affordable housing for ownership and rent that meets diverse needs.
In the Bay of Plenty Kāinga Ora is working hard to deliver more public housing for whānau in our region, recognising the pressing need for more warm, dry and modern homes for people to live in. We are exploring a range of options around increasing housing supply, including redevelopment of it’s own older properties, partnering with other land owners, and purchase of land. We work closely with councils around necessary infrastructure and site specific requirements for construction of homes, drawing on the considerable expertise and experience Kāinga Ora has across the country in unlocking and developing land for public housing.