11 April 2022
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Local representation Bill
Enquiry
I'm writing a preview on the cyclone for tomorrow's paper, and wondered if you would be able to help with some comment please?
How is Rotorua expected to be impacted by the cyclone?
What can people expect during a cyclone and how can they prepare?
What should people do if they need help?
What does council do during these kinds of events?
Any other comment?
Response
From Stavros Michael, DCE Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions and Primary Civil Defence Emergency Management (DCEM) Controller:
MetService is predicting heavy rain coming in late Tuesday night, possibly very heavy between midnight and about 8am Wednesday and if the forecasted amounts occur that would be heavier than the previous couple of downpours which caused localised flooding of streets and water entering some garages, basements and low-lying homes.
Anyone who has experienced this could prepare by using sandbags – which are sold at hardware outlets – to divert or dam overland flowpaths. They could also clear away leaves or other debris blocking drains.
Council’s three waters and transport staff and contractors are monitoring the developing forecasts and making the usual preparations that are made ahead of potentially significant weather events. This includes ensuring wastewater treatment plant storage ponds are as empty as possible, all plant is checked and operational, and major stormwater inlets are free of blockages.
Staff and equipment are on heightened readiness to respond if/where they can and Council’s Civil Defence team are also keeping watch on the situation and will be ready to deploy if needed.
People should remain alert to the weather forecast – things can and do often change – and should keep an eye on Council’s website and social media channels for updates, warnings and any requests to reduce or avoid using the sewer system.
During heavy rain and/or strong winds people should consider not driving due to the potential for flooding, slips and/or treefalls and should take extra care if they do need to travel.
Council staff and contractors endeavour to check as much as they can prior to weather events and we are also thankful for information from the public to alert us about anything that may cause issues. People can lodge jobs by phoning our 24/7 Customer Centre on 07 348 4199. Residents' ongoing vigilance and alerting Council is helpful both prior and during weather events.
Tips to prepare for weather events:
- Take a look around your home - clear any blocked gutters or drains and remove any branches from trees that may at risk of falling. You can also assist by clearing any surface debris in front of drainage cesspits near your home.
- If you need to travel, check weather and traffic websites so you can prepare accordingly.
- Make sure you have adequate supplies at home in case of a power cut - torches with spare batteries, fully charged phone, non-perishable food items, fresh water.
- If you have a low-lying property move any important objects from floor levels in case of surface flooding. Consider buying some sand bags – these are available at hardware stores.
- Watch for local updates on Council's Facebook page and website - www.rotorualakeescouncil.nz / www.facebook.com/rotorualakescouncil
- Helpful websites:
- www.metservice.co.nz
- www.nzta.govt.nz
- www.civildefence.govt.nz
- Watch live monitoring of water flow levels in waterways at https://envdata.boprc.govt.nz/Data
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Local representation Bill
Enquiry
These comments below from RDRR chairman and councillor Reynold Macpherson, full comments included for context, provided for the right of reply, particularly the comments re the local bill.
If the council and or mayor wishes to respond to these comments they can do so by 2pm to meet the deadline.
Cheers
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COMMENTS
RDRR applauds the Local Government Commission’s decision because it is based on democratic principles and the Local Electoral Act, without reference to Te Tiriti or Fenton ‘obligations’. The LGC rejected the Council’s ‘interim’ co-governance model in favour of proportional representation from Māori, General and Rural ward electoral populations.
The danger now is that the Local Bill before the Māori Affairs Select Committee could take Rotorua back to Council’s ‘ideal’ co-governance model, unless it is withdrawn, defeated or fails to make the 1 June deadline.
Residents and ratepayers are therefore urged to make a submission to the Select Committee and ask to be heard. Please oppose ‘voter parity’ across wards because it will give citizens on the Māori Roll 260 percent more voting power than those on the General Roll. Please ask for equal suffrage for all citizens – one person, one vote, one value – and proportional representation from wards.
Response
Reporter was informed neither the RLC organisation nor Mayor Chadwick had any comments additional to those provided last week (NOTE: comments provided by the mayor were not used in the initial article written by the reporter).
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Consents issued during March
Enquiry
Reporter sought monthly consenting data for the month of March.
Subsequent to receiving the consenting data the report had the following questions in relation to the consent with the highest value (main pool hall alterations and seismic strengthening for Aquatic Centre):
I'm working on a story involving the latest building consents approval information.
I can see that the largest consent is going to the Rotorua Aquatic Centre.
In light of the above, I was hoping the council could respond to these questions before end of business today?
- What do the new pool hall alterations and seismic strengthening measures consist of?
- How will these changes benefit the users of the Aquatic Centre?
- When are the improvements expected to be complete?
Response
The following information was provided:
Please see below the commercial building consents for March 2022.
- The total value of commercial consents issued in March 2022 - $15,203,000
- The total value of residential consents issued in March 2022 - 18,837,700
- The total number of commercial consents issued in March 2022 - 8
- The total number of residential consents issued in March 2022 – 112
Commercial consents issued:
Project | Address | Value |
STAGE 1 : MAIN POOL HALL ALTERATIONS AND SEISMIC STRENGTHENING | 42B TAREWA ROAD | $9,500,000 |
NEW TRUCK WORKSHOP AND PAVED YARD | 96 VAUGHAN ROAD | $4,500,000 |
TIMBER FRAMED FIRST FLOOR FOR STORAGE UNITS | 80 WHITE STREET | $575,000 |
CONSTRUCT NEW COMMERCIAL BUILDING | 50 VAUGHAN ROAD | $450,000 |
REPLACED WITH NEW WHARE KAI | 438A NGONGOTAHA ROAD | $140,000 |
INTERNAL ALTERATIONS TO COMMERCIAL PREMISE | 1230 FENTON STREET | $27,000 |
CONNECTING WATER/SEWAGE TO TEMPORARY PORTACOM | 8 DINSDALE STREET | $8,000 |
NEW RELOCATABLE FOR HAIRDRESSING | 60 PUKEHANGI ROAD | $3,000 |
The following information was provided in relation to the Aquatic Centre consent (main pool hall alterations and seismic strengthening):
Response from DCE Community Wellbeing, Anaru Pewhairangi:
Main pool hall alterations and seismic strengthening is the next stage in the Rotorua Aquatic Centre redevelopment that started in September 2020. The redevelopment aims to future proof the facility and provide a modern, accessible aquatic centre that meets user needs and expectations.
This next stage of work will improve and modernise the existing indoor space and provide more accessible, family-friendly spaces. As part of the re-roofing process, we are taking the opportunity to also undertake seismic strengthening to further improve the overall building strength.
Having received building consent for this next stage, Council will go out to tender for the work in late April 2022 and timeframes relating to when the work will be done and completed will be subject to the outcome of the tender process.
The completion of the 50m outdoor pool last year was the first phase of the work to redevelop the Aquatic Centre, followed by refurbishment of the outdoor changing rooms.
Council committed last year to the full proposed masterplan for the Aquatic Centre as part of the 2021-31 Long-term Plan.
The total masterplan is estimated at $28.3m and Council committed to contributing $17.9m with some features to be dependent on attracting additional external funding.