1 November 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Resource consents for motels
Enquiry
I've been sent a press release from Restore Rotorua and I was just wondering whether the council wanted to respond to anything it has said.
- Restore Rotorua says is working with more than 80 people who have been directly and detrimentally impacted who want to make submissions at next year's resource consent hearings relating to six central city motels.
- "Hundreds" more want to attend the hearing in support of Restore Rotorua
- Some are from people who have expressed "tears and heartache" who live in the CBD and are "wearing the fallout from the changed character of the neighbourhood".
- Chairman Trevor Newbrook said allowing homeless to live in motels had been for the worse and many locals felt "at the point of no return" and were thinking of selling up and leaving Rotorua.
- They are supportive because they never got to have a say when Boulevard Motel's resource consent was, in their opinion, "rushed through in 20 working days" without being publicly notified.
- They say the hearings are critical as the character of Rotorua had been irrevocably changed by what's going on in the CBD.
Let me know if you wish to respond to any of the above.
Questions:
- Is there a limit to the number of submitters at these hearings?
- When will the independent commissioners be appointed/announced?
Can you please confirm if it's still six resource consents? Or has one been put on hold by the council?
Response
Information in response to questions below. The comments below can be attributed to District Development DCE Jean-Paul Gaston:
In response to comments provided:
To suggest that the processing of the resource consent application for the property at 265 Fenton Street was ‘rushed’ through is incorrect. We can provide an assurance that the processing planners followed the legislative process in line with what is set out in the Resource Management Act and the Rotorua District Plan.
Can you please confirm if it's still six resource consents? Or has one been put on hold by the council?
All six resource consent applications are on hold while further information is provided by the applicant pursuant to Council’s request for this information under section 92 of the Resource Management Act.
Is there a limit to the number of submitters at these hearings?
When will the independent commissioners be appointed/announced?
We’re currently in the process of engaging and appointing Independent Hearing Commissioners.
Once the Independent Hearing Commissioners have been engaged and they have had the opportunity to review the applications, including the further information yet to be provided by the applicant, they will advise Council if they are available to accept an appointment to an Independent Hearing Panel.
As soon as an Independent Hearing Panel has been assembled, the Panel will determine the timeframes and process (including who will be able to appear before the Panel to present their views) to apply to their consideration of the six resource consent applications.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Six60 concert next March
Enquiry
NOTE: Reporter sent the following questions to RED last week. Follow-up questions were sent to RLC today:
I am just seeking some comment about the exciting news that the Six60 tour is coming to Rotorua in March next year. It will be at Rotorua International Stadium and is expected to have about 20,000 tickets for all ages. It's hoped to attract people from around the Bay and Waikato.
- What is the event expected to do for the local economy? Are there estimates of how much revenue it could generate? In Tauranga, similar-sized music events bring in millions.
- What was your reaction when you heard the band was coming?
- Do you have any concerns around accommodation given much of the city's motels are emergency housing?
- How disappointing would it be if the event had to be cancelled if we were not at 90% vaccinations in the Lakes DHB?
- Any other comments are welcomed.
Follow-up questions for RLC:
Could I please have a comment from the council's events committee and see what their role will be in the concert and what it will mean for the city?
Responses
From Rotorua Economic Development - Chief Executive Andrew Wilson:
It’s really exciting that Six60 has chosen Rotorua as the place where they kick-off their tour. It’s expected it to attract fans from all around the central North Island which offers a wonderful opportunity for people to stay here and make a weekend of it.
Large events like this play an important role in the economy, developing income for the hospitality, accommodation and retail sectors, while adding to the vibrancy of the town for locals and visitors alike.
We’re really fortunate to have an extensive and varied accommodation offering here to support large events of this nature, including numerous holiday parks, hotels, motels and lodges, as well as a lot of private accommodation providers for those wanting to book out a whole house.
The best thing we can do is to encourage everyone to get vaccinated so that Rotorua can remain open and the rest of the country can come and visit.
From RLC - Arts and Culture Manager Stewart Brown:
Rotorua Lakes Council is providing the venue for the Six60 concert and we will be working closely with the event promoter to ensure the concert is a success.
Aside from bringing visitors to the city, this event gives locals a chance to see world-renowned performers in our own backyard, and it’s an opportunity for Rotorua to build a reputation as being a destination of choice for promotors of large-scale concerts.