23 November 2021
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Moving to COVID Protection Framework "traffic lights" system
Enquiry
I am writing a story about business and community leaders reaction to the traffic light system and the likely impact on Rotorua if the city is placed into the red colour system on December 2.
The risk seems high that Rotorua will be in the red zone given Lakes DHB double dose vaccination rates are under 80 per cent currently.
I am seeking comment from Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson about this issue and what the community can do to help reduce that risk and also what the government can do now to help the city prepare for the change to the traffic light vaccination regime.
Response
From Rotorua Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson:
We are certainly at risk of starting on red but we don’t want to get stuck there. It’s absolutely crucial that we get our vaccination rates up to enable more freedom and enable businesses to operate with fewer restrictions.
I know there’s a concerted effort going on to get our local vaccination rates up and I would encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Protect yourself and others and protect our economy.
I think businesses are keen for greater clarity around how they apply vaccination certificate processes and it would be great if there were support and/or subsidies available from the government for the technology needed to do this as effectively and efficiently as possible.
In terms of tourism, our visitor economy has always been very resilient and I have great confidence in our industry leaders to do all that’s required to provide safe manaakitanga for people wanting to come here.
We also need to ensure that our health sector is sufficiently resourced and supported to provide appropriate care for the COVID cases we will undoubtedly get.
We are moving to living with COVID and we need things in place to ensure we’re ready so we can minimise negative ongoing impact on our people and our economy.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Trucks using Tarewa Road
Enquiry
NZTA has come back with the following response to yesterday’s Tawera Road query, so I wanted to check with the council if it would consider a "through truck bylaw", or whether the numbers of heavy vehicles were too low considering the traffic count data:
A NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesperson said the road was managed by the council and everyone had the right to use it, including heavy vehicles.
However, they said the council could reduce heavy vehicle usage if it wanted to through interventions such as road narrowings and road humps, or it could consider creating a "through truck bylaw" or similar designating routes for trucks through the city, which meant it could then enforce it.
Response
As indicated yesterday, a number of interventions were implemented in Tarewa Road two years ago. Mr Michael says no additional changes are planned at this time.