28 October 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Damage and theft at Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre work site
Enquiry
I'm following up on an appeal that was heard in the High Court relating to Robert Walker and the sentence he received for burglary and intentional damage of the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre in October and November last year.
The appeal decision referred several times to the extensive and costly damage Walker caused and that it had significant consequences.
- How much damage was caused in terms of financial loss? (Please give a figure)
- How long did fixing the damage set back the project?
- How will the cost to fix the damage be paid for?
- Is it covered by insurance? If so, please detail the overall cost to the council (ie, insurance premium).
- Does the council or the subcontractor have to pay for the increased security required at the site, mentioned in the finding?
- The cost of the extensive damage wasn't mentioned in a story in July which detailed why a budget increase of $11 million was needed (see story below). Does that mean this will be an additional cost on top of that budget increase or had that been factored into the $11 million increase?
Reporter provided links to relevant articles:
Response
From DCE Organisational Enablement, Thomas Collé:
There was an estimated $300,000 worth of damage caused, which will be covered by insurance. The excess Council will pay is $25,000.
Actual value is being progressively claimed through insurance as the repair work is completed.
There has been no delay in the project timeline as a result of this incident as fixing the damage is able to be done in parallel with other works. However, there has been significant staff time involved in, for example, dealing with the police and insurance matters and planning for the repair works.
Increased security, at a cost of $5,000 per month, is partially covered by insurance with the remainder covered by Council.
The additional SHMPAC funding [referred to in your July story] included the insurance excess but not the cost of the damage as this is covered by insurance.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: RMA delegations
Enquiry
I have some questions regarding recommendation 1 in today's council agenda (page 21).
Can the council please provide me with a copy of its RMA delegations manual? Doesn't appear to be on the website as far as I can tell.
And for attribution:
Is the reason the titles no longer align because the change of titles to deputy chief executives? (If the RMA delegations manual doesn't already state it, who (what role/s) held the delegations before?)
When is the RMA Delegations Manual likely to be updated?
How much did legal advice regarding this interim change cost and are there expected further costs to a review of the manual? If so what is the expected further cost?
Response
Reporter was provided with a copy of the RMA delegations manual [see HERE]
From DCE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Is the reason the titles no longer align because the change of titles to deputy chief executives? (If the RMA delegations manual doesn't already state it, who (what role/s) held the delegations before?)
Correct. GM in the RMA delegations manual (see attached) refers to Group Manager so the interim change was sought while the delegations were reviewed because the exercise of delegated powers, duties and functions needs to continue in the meantime.
Regardless of the title changes, it was time for a full review of the RMA delegations. Reviews are undertaken periodically to ensure ongoing compliance with legislation and this current review will be undertaken across the next few months.
When is the RMA Delegations Manual likely to be updated?
As above.
How much did legal advice regarding this interim change cost and are there expected further costs to a review of the manual? If so what is the expected further cost?
Council deals with approximately 60 different Acts and regulations and it is normal practice to seek legal advice and expertise regarding delegation changes to ensure ongoing legal compliance.
Legal work in relation to the interim change and full review of the RMA delegations manual is expected to cost an estimated $10,000.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: RMA reforms
Enquiry
I am writing a story on how the environment minister plans to scrap the RMA and bring in three acts to target the environment, development and climate mitigation.
These reforms will squash more than 100 RMA documents used by councils down to 14.
I have been speaking to developers who have criticised councils as they believe there is no accountability or consequences when it comes to some councils issuing consents on time.
I have put these questions to the minister who said although no decisions had been made yet the government was considering how the new resource management system will improve the performance of councils.
I just have a couple of questions
How is RLC preparing for these new reforms that are coming its way?
O On average how long does it take RLC to issue a consent?
Do you agree or disagree getting rid of the RMA is a good idea or a bad idea and why?
Reporter subsequently provided the following additional information/clarification:
This is a regional story the developers are mainly complaining about Tauranga, the length of time they are taking to issue consents and the expense that involves ... so from RLC I am looking for how you are preparing for changes to the RMA and for consents can I get resource and building thanks
Response
The following information and comment was provided:
[NOTE TO REPORTER: a media enquiry we responded to recently re building consent timeframes is available at this link. Feel free to use this re building consents: 17 September 2021 - Rotorua Lakes Council. That also outlines some of the factors that can impact on timelines. Let us know if that doesn’t provide what you wanted.]
[NOTE TO REPORTER: Regarding resource consents – the timeframes set out by the current legislation differ, depending on what type of resource consent it is and the process that is involved (ie notified or not) so it’s not possible to provide an “average” timeframe across all. If you wanted average timeframe per type of resource consent, that would obviously take time to collate and may need to be dealt with as a formal LGOIMA depending on the work and time involved but let us know if you want that.]
From DCE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston (who you will note also provided comment with regards to the above re building consents):
As with building consents, timeframes for resource consents can be impacted by a number of factors, including:
- Complexity (which may relate to the location, site and/or type of development and/or infrastructure needs and/or limitations)
- Quality of information provided and/or any need for more information or technical reports needed to address issues raised
- The need for involvement of other consenting authorities eg regional council
- Staff and contractor resourcing and availability to process consents
There are many factors that can impact timeframes, not always the fault of councils, but our staff do their best to work collaboratively with consent applicants and/or their professional representatives to ensure as smooth and timely a process as possible.
We’re seeing a marked and ongoing increase in the number and complexity of consent applications and at the same time face a skills shortage that is affecting our ability to recruit for vacancies we hold, but Council continues to look at opportunities to improve processes.
[NOTE TO REPORTER: re how are we preparing: The RMA reforms aren’t law yet, still at Bill stage at this time so we don’t know what we need to change/prepare for until legislation is finalised. As you’ll be aware, Bills go through many stages before becoming law and until they become law, we have to operate as per the current/existing legislation.]
From Mr Gaston:
Council reviews Bills as they go out for consultation to consider whether a submission should be made.
As new RMA legislation is confirmed, Council will make the relevant, necessary changes.
Councils are legally required to enact the requirements and processes of legislation, including the RMA. Any changes that make processes clearer and easier to support the enablement of good development for the benefit of our district is welcomed.
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Media: BOP Times
Topic: Dog-related incidents
Enquiry
I am writing a story about a specific dog attack in the Tauranga City Council area but want to add to the story some statistics about dog attacks in general across the Bay of Plenty
Can you provide me with the latest data you have on the number of registered dogs in your council's area and also how many dog attacks were recorded in 12 months to June 30, 2020 and how many from July 1, 2021 to date.
Also, how many of those attacks were against a person and how many related to attacks on other animals?
Plus how many dog owners were prosecuted for attacks in 2020 and 2021, if there were any?
My deadline for a response is by 1 pm today.
Response
The following information was provided:
We informed the reporter we were still getting information for the following questions:
- Can you provide me with the latest data you have on the number of registered dogs in your council's area
- how many dog attacks were recorded in 12 months to June 30, 2020 and how many from July 1, 2021 to date.
- Plus how many dog owners were prosecuted for attacks in 2020 and 2021, if there were any?
We provided the reporter with information provided recently in response to another media enquiry re dog-related incidents in the meantime:
- Number of dog-related complaints/incidents in Rotorua for years:
2020/2021: 5,837
2019/2020: 5,629
Note: these figures include all enquiries related to Animal Control, for example, barking complaints, registration enquiries, compliance issues, wondering stock, lost dogs, impounds etc.
- If possible could we get a breakdown of the above numbers so that we can see whether the complaints were made about dangerous dogs, where complaints were made, and how often?
2020/2021 dog incidents that can be considered ‘dangerous’:
- Attack of domestic animal: 108
- Attack on stock: 26
- Attack on person: 70
- Attack on wildlife: 1
- Roaming: 1363
- Rushing at person/vehicle/animal: 178
2019/2020 dog incidents that can be considered ‘dangerous’: - Attack of domestic animal: 149
- Attack on stock: 27
- Attack on person: 81
- Attack on wildlife:
- Roaming: 1555
- Rushing at person/animal: 216
Note: These incidents do not necessarily relate to dogs legally classified as ‘dangerous’. Additionally, these incidents are categorised how they are reported to Council. Once investigated, sometimes an ‘attack’ is downgraded to a different type of incident.
Due to the quantity of data and given timeframes we are not able to provide information about location and frequency trends.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: RLC's Tatau Tatau magazine
Enquiry
NOTE: this enquiry was a follow-up from a previous enquiry – you’ll find the original enquiry at THIS LINK
Could I please ask some follow up questions on the below:
The cost per issue appears to have gone up since our last story in 2018 from just under $12,000 to just over $17,000 ($71,998.74 / six issues vs $68,287.40 / four issues). Note this is for the same time period (September 2017 - August 2018 vs September 2020 - August 2021).
- Why has the cost per issue gone up?
- How many copies were printed per issue September 2020 - August 2021?
- Why were fewer issues produced in this latest period (September 2020 - August 2021)?
- Has the council done any surveys or evaluations (or similar) about the impact of the magazine - for eg its use and value to residents/readers and how many people per household read it? If so when was the last time this was done and what was gleaned from it?
- Is the magazine delivered all over the district or is it just delivered to properties in Rotorua city/suburbs?
I also have some comments below to provide for right of reply / response if desired - they're below.
COMMENTS
Massey University public relations and journalism expert Dr Catherine Strong said it was important for councils to conduct surveys to assess whether its magazines are a “nice-to have or a need to have”.
She believed if a council siphoned spending away from print media advertising it was “sad, sad, sad”.
“Local [media] have an existing readership which is based and embedded in the community.”
She said it was a question of whether a council magazine was “a feel good, or ... effective”.
“How many people read it? Do they even bother with doing surveys and evaluations of it?"
ENDS
Link to the last story in 2018:
Response
The following additional information was provided, from DCE District Leadership and Democracy Oonagh Hopkins:
Re cost: The cost of the magazine is dependent on the cost of printing and distribution at any given time.
In November 2018 we moved to a new “weight class” for printing due to increased page numbers when we moved to quarterly editions.
The cost of distribution is dependent on the number of addresses the magazine will be delivered to, which is dependent on the number of addresses registered with NZ Post at any given time, hence the numbers change.
Re number of copies printed: See below
September 2020 | 27,500 |
December 2020 | 27,500 |
April 2021 | 27,500 |
August 2021 | 25,800 |
Re number of issues 2020 and 2021: Production, printing and distribution delays caused by COVID-19 alert levels impacted the number of issues we have been able to produce since last year. The next issue is due for delivery in December.
Re distribution: The magazine is delivered to all addresses in the district that are registered with NZ Post, including rural addresses.
Re evaluation: A survey was conducted in late 2019 with 514 responses. This was promoted through social media, RLC’s weekly e-panui and the magazine itself. A $100 Pak n Save voucher was offered as incentive and about two thirds of responses came via Facebook. See [HERE re] summary of survey results for your interest/reference.
Re print media: As you will be aware, Council does still use print media but as people get information in many different ways we need to use a variety of communication methods and channels in an effort to reach as many of our district’s 72,000 residents as possible. The magazine is just one method the council uses - other communications methods and channels used include:
- print media
- weekly e-panui
- radio
- billboards and ‘back of the bus’
- community and school newsletters
- media releases
- RLC website, including Let’s Talk/Korero Mai engagement platform
- RLC social media (various Facebook pages, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- displays
- signage/storyboards
- flyers/brochures/booklets/posters
- letters (posted) and emails
- phone calls
- Customer Centre
- meetings/face to face engagement with stakeholders/community
- information sessions/tours/stands and demonstrations at community locations and events eg markets, community events, home and garden shows
- media conferences and/or media stand-ups
- committee and Council meeting agendas
- livestreaming of committee and Council meetings including presentations
- presentations to stakeholders/community
via community collaboration and/or governance and steering groups specific to particular kaupapa that include community/stakeholder representatives