9 March 2022
Media: Local Democracy Reporting
Topic: Cost of drone footage of Sanatorium Reserve
Enquiry
From Rotorua Daily Post Local Democracy Reporter:
Could the council please let me know if it cost to get Inter-Pine to send up its drone to find the rough sleepers in the Sanatorium Reserve (page 53, last week's O+M agenda) [see HERE]
and if so, how much? Please provide a GST inclusive figure if so.
Response
From Anaru Pewhairangi, DCE Community Wellbeing:
The cost for the Sanatorium Drone Reserve footage was $1712.35 (including GST) which included the cost of pre-flight planning, GIS mapping, a certified pilot to 102 level and vehicle use.
Now that this area has been mapped and loaded as a flight area, costs for any future flyovers would be for pilot time and mapping outputs only.
Until now our teams have regularly patrolled these areas by foot to identify sites, which are generally well off designated pathways and surrounded by geothermal activity. We actively engage with any occupiers and encourage them to look at safer sleeping arrangements. As part of Council’s responsibility, the wellbeing and safety of those in our community is a priority and we want to ensure that all members of our community are supported and offered assistance where we can.