24 August 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Traffic volumes during lockdown
Enquiry
I'm working on a story about traffic volumes in the region and was wondering whether the councils had any data that can be compared from this lockdown to the first level 4 lockdown in late March and April of last year? If so, do you think you might be able to provide data on how much or how little traffic volumes have changed?
Additionally, could the following questions please be answered by 2.30pm today. I am more than happy to interview to someone on the phone if that's preferable, however, if a written response is provided could it please be attributed to someone as opposed to a spokesperson — of which I note you are both very good at doing so don't even need a reminder
QUESTIONS
How have traffic volumes changed between this lockdown and the first level 4 lockdown last year in your city?
Do you have a theory as to why volumes have changed — or haven't changed?
How has the response to the lockdown been from your constituents? I'm wondering if there have been any issues around compliance, noise control, etc.
Are there any key messages council want to get across in particular?
Response
From Civil Defence Emergency Management Controller Stavros Michael:
There is a small amount of local traffic with essential workers carrying out necessary services, freight traffic moving supplies throughout the region, and residents travelling to get essential supplies. Overall, as expected, there has been a significantly reduced amount of traffic on the roads in Rotorua during Alert Level 4, compared to during Alert Level 1.
Alert Level 4 restrictions are in place to protect the community from the risks of the pandemic. The best way to ensure that the restrictions can be lifted is for everyone to comply with Government’s direction so the local community and the rest of New Zealand can get through this challenging time as soon as possible. Please continue to stay at home unless you are an essential worker or accessing essential supplies and services.
For the most up to date COVID-19 information, visit www.COVID19.govt.nz.
For financial assistance or social service support (such as food grants), visit www.msd.govt.nz or ring the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) on 0800 559 009. This number is for everyone who may need assistance.
For useful tips on how to look after your health and wellbeing visit https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Construction delays due to lockdown
Enquiry
I am doing a story on delays to building due to the lockdown. The Chamber of Commerce has come out and said 'Some good gains have been made year on year with consents for new houses rising from 179 in 2019, to about 285 in 2020. However, we need to be building at well over twice the 2020 rate to catch up the forecast shortage by the end of this decade. Any delay would have long term effects, not just on housing prices, but also on homelessness and the economy in general.
''It will require a tripartite approach if we are to meet the housing requirements in Rotorua. Council must get the planning right and do speedy consenting, government must participate with new rental houses. The town must put nimbyism aside and support the new house program.''
I just want to check those consent figures are right and can I have the latest consent figures for new house builds to date for 2021? (I understand you may already be working on this for my colleague Zoe) I also have a couple of questions. Fyi the Chamber also said MSD buying motels was not the answer.
On average how long does it take to get a consent for a house in Rotorua?
When the Chamber talks about supporting the new house programme, what role is the council playing in that?
Response
Rotorua Lakes Council response:
Just a note re this line in your email below, in case you want to clarify with the Chamber Fyi the Chamber also said MSD buying motels was not the answer. MSD doesn’t buy motels. They will likely be referring to Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities. They may buy property where there is redevelopment potential for public housing.
Response below:
New dwelling consent numbers for 2019, 2020 and 2021 (calendar year):
2019 - 157
2020 - 170
2021 - 280
On average how long does it take to get a consent for a house in Rotorua?
Our software isn’t able to provide an average processing timeframe however, the majority of Building Consents for dwellings are granted within the statutory timeframe of 20 working days. The time it takes to process a consent depends on the quality and completeness of the application and whether there is need to seek further information during the process. Another factor is the number of consents that are lodged at any given time. Each consent is processed in date order, so an increase in consents will mean increased processing time.
When the Chamber talks about supporting the new house programme, what role is the council playing in that?
From District Development DCE Jean-Paul Gaston:
More houses, of all types, is the long-term solution to the housing crisis that this city is facing, and Council is working from all angles to make that happen. There is a significant amount of work underway to identify opportunities, leverage work already happening and to establish partnerships so that Council is able to provide the right support where it’s needed.
We’ve always said that we won’t be able to solve this crisis on our own, and that’s why Council is working closely with Government, with Te Arawa, and with potential developers to enable more residential growth in Rotorua. Internally, we recognise the importance of ensuring that processing timeframes are as efficient as possible, and Council has been increasing resourcing as demand for our services has increased.
RE: Council’s role in creating homes:
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. - Rotorua Housing Taskforce
Council is part of a Taskforce of government agencies and iwi that was established in March 2021 to provide better support and outcomes for people living in emergency housing or at risk of homelessness. As part of that work Kāinga Ora has intensified its involvement in Rotorua to identify transitional housing and public housing opportunities. Around 190 homes are expected to be delivered in Rotorua by 2024 under the Public Housing Plan. - 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 the Eastside Community Wellness Plan addresses the future needs, aspirations and resilience of communities there
The plan was adopted by the full Council on 29 July 2021. You can read more about that HERE - Long-term infrastructure planning is underway
See above re 30-year infrastructure plan and LTP
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Pedestrian safety
Enquiry
I am writing a story about pedestrian injuries in Rotorua. Data showed Clayton Rd and Fenton St had recorded the most pedestrian injuries in the last 10 years in the Rotorua district with 12 each.
Please find below some questions I am seeking a response to:
Has a traffic safety review on these two roads been completed, and if so, when was this done and what has it shown?
What is being done to improve safety on these roads for pedestrians?
How many pedestrian crossings are currently on Clayton Rd and Fenton St?
Are there any plans to add more crossings on these roads? One business owner said there was nothing where her business was located on Fenton St and wanted to see a pedestrian crossing put near the city centre.
Another business owner on Fenton St said "the integrity of the footpaths" was concerning - "There's a number of places where the bricks are loose." What is the council's plans to address this?
Response
From Stavros Michael, DCE Infrastructure & Environment:
Has a traffic safety review on these two roads been completed, and if so, when was this done and what has it shown?
The safety of our community is paramount. Council actively promotes safe driving behaviour through education programmes, campaigns and supports road safety events.
Road safety is constantly monitored. A number of factors can contribute to a poor road safety record including; any reported road crashes, traffic speed, road condition and driver behaviour. If road user safety concerns begin to show a pattern, assessments are done to determine if any infrastructure improvements are required to improve the safety of the road.
For example, in 2008, such road safety assessment of Fenton Street led to the installation of roundabouts to better manage traffic, and in 2003, a corridor safety assessment of Clayton Road resulted in the installation of speed humps to reduce average driver speed - both of which led to a reduction in speed and crash rates.
What is being done to improve safety on these roads for pedestrians?
The section of Fenton Street located in the CBD is being considered as part of the Inner City Revitalisation project, in which safe connectivity for pedestrians is a key consideration. There is also funding allocated in the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan to improve this section of Fenton Street for both pedestrians and drivers. Options on how to improve the CBD road corridors were presented to Council in July 2020, and will inform the wider Inner City Revitalisation work.
How many pedestrian crossings are currently on Clayton Rd and Fenton St?
There are two pedestrian crossings on Clayton Road; One near May Road, and the other outside Western Heights Primary School. On Fenton Street there are signalised pedestrian crossings at the Amohau intersection, and two at the Hinemoa street intersection. There are also a number of other crossing points (not pedestrian crossings) along Fenton Street.
Are there any plans to add more crossings on these roads? One business owner said there was nothing where her business was located on Fenton St and wanted to see a pedestrian crossing put near the city centre.
Currently, there are no specific plans to add more pedestrian crossings on Clayton Road or Fenton Street.However, through the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan and Inner City Revitilisation project, there is planning underway to consider the future road corridors’ function and safety in the CBD, including improving pedestrian connectivity.
Another business owner on Fenton St said "the integrity of the footpaths" was concerning - "There's a number of places where the bricks are loose." What is the council's plans to address this?
Council actively manages hazards within the inner city, and people are encouraged to report their concerns though the customer centre so they can be addressed and repaired.