14 February 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Use of motels for housing
Enquiry
I'm after an update on where things are at with MHUD's 13 resource consent applications to allow transitional housing in motels in Rotorua.
Are you able to answer the following please and provide any additional information you think might be helpful?
- When will the hearings take place?
- Has there been a delay and if so, what has caused the delay?
- How long will the hearings take?
- Will the hearings determine whether the applications will be publicly notified or does that happen before the hearings?
- Is the council playing any role in the hearings process or will all decisions be made by the independent commissioners?
- How are all motels legally allowed to have emergency housing and transitional housing in them now without resource consents?
- Is there social housing in the 13 motels subject to resource consents now?
Response
Reporter was advised that there is no update. The most recent information is available on RLC’s website HERE.
For clarity, the information from that webpage was provided to the reporter as outlined below.
When will the hearings take place?
The Independent Hearing Panel appointed by Council to consider and decide MHUD’s resource consent applications for contracted emergency housing has directed MHUD, the applicant, to respond to Council’s requests for further information by 22 April 2022. When that further information is received, the Panel will proceed to review the application information in its entirety, consider the recommendation from Council’s reporting planner on notification, and decide the appropriate notification path for each application.
Has there been a delay and if so, what has caused the delay?
There have been no delays. As advised above, the applicant has until 22 April to provide further information. The Panel will then be able to decide the appropriate notification path for each application.
How long will the hearings take?
This is yet to be determined by the Panel.
Will the hearings determine whether the applications will be publicly notified or does that happen before the hearings
This is yet to be determined by the Panel.
Is the council playing any role in the hearings process or will all decisions be made by the independent commissioners?
The Panel has been delegated all Council functions and duties as the consent authority under the Resource Management Action to process the applications.
How are all motels legally allowed to have emergency housing and transitional housing in them now without resource consents?
The Courts have confirmed the legal principle that applicants can apply under the Resource Management Act to authorise their activities both retrospectively and in the future.
Is there social housing in the 13 motels subject to resource consents now?
You will need to contact MHUD to confirm this information.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Wastewater overflow
Enquiry
I was wanting to check in to see if there was any update with the wastewater overflow announcement updated on Facebook yesterday, please?
"A further, unrelated wastewater overflow was detected within Linton Park yesterday near Deborah Place.
The majority of the overflow was contained to land. That area has been disinfected, is taped off with signage in place and testing is underway. However, it is likely that some wastewater entered the Mangakakahi Stream which flows into the Utuhina Stream."
Is the area still taped off with signage?
When is it expected to be cleared for swimming/resolved?
What happens if people swim?
Can overflow be prevented?
What was tested and have the results come in yet?
How do the overflows get detected?
How often does it happen?
Response
From Eric Cawte, Infrastructure Networks Performance Manager:
Is the area still taped off with signage?
Yes, both signage and tape remain in place around the affected area in Linton Park.
Signage is also in place along the Otamatea, Utuhina and Mangakakai Streams.
When is it expected to be cleared for swimming/resolved
As expected, testing of the Mangakakahi Stream near the overflow site showed preliminary results of elevated bacteria levels. The rain and wind over the weekend can impact reliability of test results, so secondary sampling was carried out yesterday and we are waiting on these results to inform our next actions. The standard length of impact for a sewage overflow is around 48 hours (The same advice for swimming after periods of heavy rain. Also see this link for health information). However, Council is working with TRILITY to carry out regular testing over the next few days to ensure the affected area is safe for public use, before any health warnings are lifted.
What happens if people swim?
Please refer to public health information from Toi Te Ora Public Health HERE.
Can overflow be prevented?
The cause of the overflows during the weekend are still being investigated.
Overflows can be due to network faults or unexpected damage and Council, along with TRILITY, have mitigation processes in place to reduce the instances of network faults were possible. There are a number of mechanisms within the network that alert Council to issues, such as alarms and electronic monitoring at pump stations and where those mechanisms are not feasible (i.e. within a wastewater network pipe), Council has increased its proactive programmes to minimise the risk of overflows from the network. These activities include:
- Increased frequency of pipe water-blasting from annually to quarterly in some areas
- CCTV inspections of every gravity main within the network (in progress)
- Increase in incident response and maintenance personnel (via TRILITY) to manage assets and carry out targeted network inspections
- Overall business process improvements in the way of data collection, recording and network performance monitoring
Overflows can also be a result of foreign objects making their way into the network and causing blockages. This can result in a backup of wastewater that then has to exit the network from somewhere like a manhole. Foreign objects can include cleaning wipes, fats and oils, litter and even toys. The best way to reduce the instances of overflows from these types of blockages is to work together as a community to ensure our infrastructure network remains free of these types of objects.
What was tested and have the results come in yet?
The Mangakakahi Stream near the overflow site showed preliminary results of elevated bacteria levels, when water samples were tested on Saturday 12 February.
Results from Sunday’s testing of Mangakakahi, Utuhina and Otamatea streams are not yet available.
Follow up water samples were taken today (Monday) in the Mangakakahi, Utuhina and Otamatea streams, and results are also not available yet.
How do the overflows get detected?
Overflows are detected via pump station data that is continuously monitored with alarms that are sent to on-call staff. They can also be detected through reports by members of the public.
How often does it happen?
Council has approximately 500km of gravity mains, 8000 manholes and over 20,000 homes and businesses connected to the wastewater network. Network faults are expected to develop from time to time and Council will attend as quickly as possible using on-call staff on a 24/7 basis.
Instances of overflows from the past three years:
2019/20 – 56
2020/21 – 37
2021/22 to date – 19
Additional information:
Council follows advice from Toi Te Ora Public Health and Bay Of Plenty Regional Council about the appropriate response, including if there should be any swim/recreation bans etc.