11 August 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Consent application for Wylie Court site
Enquiry
I'm requesting comment on a story for tomorrow's newspaper which I've just been advised about, apologies for the late request but such is the nature of news.
A land use consent has been submitted for: "Use existing Wylie Court Motor Lodge site and buildings for transitional housing at 345 Fenton St".
This property is owned by Te Arawa Properties Ltd Partnerships, which is registered to Te Arawa Group Holdings.
Can the council please respond to the following questions?
1. What stage is the consent application at?
2. Will it be publicly notified?
3. How will the proposed development be granted consent given the District Plan does not allow for permanent housing?
4. Feel free to add any additional comments.
I realise this is a quick turnaround but can I please be given a response before 2.30pm.
From Rotorua Daily Post to Kāinga Ora –
I have more information now and am again requesting your comment.
I have just been advised a land use consent has been submitted for: "Use existing Wylie Court Motor Lodge site and buildings for transitional housing at 345 Fenton St".
This property is owned by Te Arawa Properties Ltd Partnerships, which is registered to Te Arawa Group Holdings.
Can you please respond to the following questions?
1. Is Te Arawa Properties Ltd Partnerships selling or leasing Wylie Court to the Government for transitional housing?
2. What are the benefits of this deal to the city?
3. How much is the deal worth?
4. There are concerns about this deal in the community, which was evident with the signs being erected over the weekend, from people who do not believe this is the right location for transitional housing as Fenton St is the gateway to Rotorua. What do you say to those concerns?
Response:
From Jean-Paul Gaston, Deputy Chief Executive District Development:
What stage is the consent application at?
It has been lodged with Council and is currently being processed.
Will it be publicly notified?
How will the proposed development be granted consent given the District Plan does not allow for permanent housing?
This information will be determined as part of the processing of the application.
Response fromDarren Toy, Bay of Plenty Regional Director, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities
We continue, with urgency, to look at a range of opportunities to increase housing for people in Rotorua.
We have not purchased the Wylie Court Motor Lodge, but have recently bought the vacant land on the corner of Ranolf Street/Malfroy Road, and the Boulevard Motel for housing.
We will be happy to share future plans around other opportunities being explored when we are in a position to.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: BOP film industry
Enquiry
I'm doing a story on the booming film industry in the region and was told: "There was also a fourfold increase during the summer and autumn period this year for filming consents processed by the Tauranga City Council alone."
I've asked TCC for more detail but was wondering if RLC also held this data?
Namely how many filming consents were processed in 2019/20 and in 2020/21 to provide a comparison, and the value of those consents and what they were for.
If there is anyone within the council who has a portfolio relating to the film industry I would love to hear their thoughts on the industry, if it is growing, why, aspirations for the industry and council involvement.
Response
There is no “portfolio” relating to the film industry at RLC however, if you want some thoughts/insights into what’s happening locally in terms of filming, RED would be best placed to provide some comment. They field and assist with a lot of enquiries and if you haven’t already spoken to them, Film BOP would also be worth a call as they facilitate contact and permissions for filming companies across the BOP and connect with RED as part of that.
RLC information (this relates only to RLC owned and/or managed spaces):
A booking this year for Tihi Reserve for a TV series (produced by local production company Velvet Stone Media for Maori TV) + we’ve had What Now filming in Kuirau Park.
Permits issued for filming in the forest: 7 during the 2019/20 financial year, 12 for 2020/21
This included filming for TV show Vegas and a movie produced by an American company.
Most other permits related to advertising or promotion and last year it was largely for advertising or mountainbiking promotion.