12 November 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Resource consents for motels
Enquiry
I have been contacted by Restore Rotorua today and told their lawyers have written to the council over the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development missing its deadline to answer council questions relating to six resource consent applications.
The organisation says the following:
- Under the RMA the council must decline or publicly notify the six Ministry of Housing and Urban Development applications for emergency housing in the CBD.
- The time is up for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to provide the information requested by the Council for the resource consents to convert motels into more emergency housing. Now, the RMA requires the council to either decline five out of six of the applications, or it requires that all six applications be publicly notified, immediately.
- NB: I have a copy of the letter Restore Rotorua's lawyers sent to the council this morning.
Questions:
- Will the council decline or publicly notify the consent applications immediately?
- Is Restore Rotorua correct that time is up for the ministry?
- Why was more information needed?
- Were these applications rushed?
- Restore Rotorua says the council must do its job and give no more grace, do you agree?
- What happens now?
Response
From DCE District Development, Jean-Paul Gaston:
All current applications are legitimately on hold as Council awaits further information. This has been done pursuant to the statutory provisions within Section 37A(5) of the Resource Management Act.
As we’ve previously said, the opportunity to meet and work with Restore Rotorua directly remains open and we continue to liaise with their legal representatives.
We won’t be carrying out a statutory process via the media.
The process is as outlined the other day (below) :
Once the Independent Hearing Commissioners (IHC) 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.
*( for your information a notification hearing is a process that enables Independent Hearing Commissioners to make a determination on whether a consent will be publically notified or not. Please note that decision is not about whether a consent will be granted or not.
If they make the decision that it will be publically notified, the next step will be to determine who is notified, and then hold a hearing to hear from those parties.)
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal
Enquiry
Our Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal 2021 is launching this Saturday which I'm running this year, and so for our Monday paper coverage I am looking to do a story with different community leaders/figures encouraging people to get behind it and saying why it's important.
From now until December 19, the team will be seeking non-perishable food donations to help the Salvation Army Foodbank continue its work throughout the Christmas period and into 2021.
Am I able to get a few comments from the mayor to the below questions as part of this story?
- Why do you encourage the community to get behind this appeal? Why is the Salvation Army Foodbank’s work important?
- Why can Christmas be a struggle for some families? How do you think Covid throughout 2021 may have affected families?
- What are some of your favourite Christmas treats which could be donation ideas?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
There are many reasons why people find themselves under stress and in need of assistance and the number of people in need has been exacerbated by the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our economy and our lives in general.
The struggles are always heightened at this time of year and we can make a difference by joining together to help those in need in our community.
Many parties are working together in collaboration and partnership to respond to challenges like housing, community safety and securing a positive economic future for our rohe.
One way the community in general can contribute to helping those in need is to support the Salvation Army in its vital mahi through the annual foodbank Christmas Appeal. I encourage everyone who can to contribute in any way they can. Every little bit counts towards the collective effort that can make a very significant difference.
Everyone deserves a happy Christmas and the appeal is one small way we can contribute towards that.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Commercial consents issued in October
Enquiry
Reporter requested:
- The top 10 commercial consents in terms of value issued in (insert month here)? Please include the address, consent value and what the consent was for.
- The total value of commercial consents issued in (Insert month here)
- The total value of residential consents issued in (Insert month here)
- The total number of residential consents issued in (Insert month here)
- The total number of commercial consents issued in (Insert month here)
Response
The following information was provided:
- The top 10 commercial consents in terms of value issued in October. Please include the address, consent value and what the consent was for. – See attached
- The total value of commercial consents issued in October 2021 - $3,811,850
- The total value of residential consents issued in October 2021 - $16,121,904
- The total number of commercial consents issued in October 2021 - 10
- The total number of residential consents issued in October 2021 - 100