14 March 2022
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Sanatorium Reserve drone footage
Enquiry
Follow up to earlier enquiry regarding drone use for Sanatorium Reserve mapping
How much are the drone flights expected to cost in future, per flight?
How often does the council expect to use the drone service? e.g. once a week, two times a month, etc etc
Is the council going to use it in other areas, and have those areas been mapped? How much has that cost to date, if so?
What alerted the council to the fact there was a rough sleeper in the reserve on this occasion?
(Please include GST in all figures)
Response
From Anaru Pewhairangi, DCE Community Wellbeing:
The flight over Sanatorium Reserve was a trial and no decisions have yet been made on any future use of drones.
Our teams have been patrolling this area as part of foot patrols in and around the inner city for some years now and people occupying the area is not unexpected.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Impact of COVID-19 on market vendors
Enquiry
I am working on a story about how food vendors are coping right now due to rising cases of Omicron in the community and also under the red level setting. I wanted to approach council for comment on the topic.
Questions:
What has council heard about how the rise of Omicron cases has impacted turnout and revenue at markets?
Have you heard markets are experiencing reduced food traffic?
How does council anticipate food vendors and markets will be impacted in the coming months as we head into the winter months?
Response
From Stewart Brown, Rotorua Lakes Council, Manager Arts & Culture Group:
What has council heard about how the rise of Omicron cases has impacted turnout and revenue at markets?
On 25 January 2022 the Rotorua Night Market and Rotorua Farmers Market were put on hold until New Zealand returns to orange. This followed the move to red traffic light requirements, and the arrival of the highly transmissible Omicron in the community in New Zealand. The team have been working to support vendors who have their own premises or able to sell through their websites.
Have you heard markets are experiencing reduced food traffic?
As per above – the two markets we manage have been closed
How does council anticipate food vendors and markets will be impacted in the coming months as we head into the winter months?
Council will continue to assess the situation and work towards the markets being reinstated as soon as it is considered safe to do so.