23 August 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Reserves protests
Enquiry
I am working on an article about the protest organised by Saving Rotorua for Thursday at 9.00am.
It would be most helpful if the council could respond to the following questions:
- What are the council's expectation for the protest's size?
- Has the council been in contact with protest organisers?
- How would the council describe the discussions / conversations with protest organisers?
- Has the council organised security for the protest?
What measures have the council organised (security, etc) for the protest?
Response
From CE Geoff Williams:
The safety of staff, elected members and others inside the Civic Centre is always our key priority, alongside ensuring that the business of Council is able to continue unimpeded.
We are aware there could be a protest on Thursday morning related to the reserves proposal decision that is coming before Council that day but have not had any contact with its organisers.
As with any protest, we will monitor the situation and take any appropriate action if needed.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Puketawhero Park toilets fire
Enquiry
We understand the toilet block at Puketawhero Park was destroyed by fire overnight.
Are council aware of this incident?
Will the facility need to be completely rebuilt?
How much approximately will repairs be?
Response
FromCouncil’s Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager, Rob Pitkethley:
Council was alerted to this incident last night and Police and FENZ are now investigating.
The extent of work required for repair or removal, and approximate costs, are yet to be determined.
We’re disappointed that this has occurred as it will impact users of the Puketawhero Park play space which is a popular destination park for Eastside tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau. The toilets also support use of the sports fields where the New Zealand Rugby League Secondary Schools tournament is scheduled for this weekend. Council is working with the event organiser to ensure adequate facilities are available.
If anyone has any information about the incident we encourage them to contact Council or the Police.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Four Canoes
Enquiry
*NOTE: This enquiry is a follow-up from a couple of weeks ago. Reporter wanted to check comment provided then was still relevant as they had been off sick.
Reporter also provided the following new comment she obtained, for council’s right of reply:
I've sought additional comment and there's some criticism of the situation and the council (more specifically from Trevor Newbrook) that needs to be put to you for right of reply. I have done so with MHUD also.
Please see the notes below and let me know in your response tomorrow if you want to comment on any of the points raised.
***
McDonald's franchise owner Rob Parry said he hoped those staying at Four Canoes would be moved somewhere else as he felt the situation was getting worse.
He said a homeless person kicked in windows at McDonald's Fenton St last week which was the final straw to force him to employ a full-time security guard to keep customers and staff safe.
"We had to do something, we can't put our staff in harm's way so we have now contracted professionals on site."
Parry said he wished he didn't have to pay the added cost.
"But we have to look after staff and customers. We've had people getting abused in the drive thru and beggars and it's not a lot of fun. I hope I don't have to do it forever but the reality is we have to make ourselves a harder target."
While he acknowledged he didn't know where specifically the people causing the problems had come from, he said it was common knowledge Four Canoes catered for those with high needs.
He said it would be a start to improving the situation by removing those people from the central city.
Resident lobby group Restore Rotorua chairman Trevor Newbrook said shifting the contract to a more appropriate building out of the central city should be a priority.
"We understand the people at Four Canoes have some of the most serious drug and alcohol addictions or suffer from extreme metal health issues. They need the best support and a suitable facility if we actually want to help them."
He said the ministry also needed to get a resource consent for wherever that facility was.
"The new contractor at Four Canoes, Lifewise has said they hope we will have a wellness centre for those with high complex needs but the centre of town is not the place for it. Restore Rotorua agrees that an old hotel located on a main road in the centre of town is not a suitable place for people with high need issues."
He said while there was security at the main entrance, there were a number of entrances and fences out of sight of security that could be easily accessed and the bottom line was it was not consented under the district plan to operate for that purpose.
"The local people living near this property need to be considered, they are vulnerable. They have been made vulnerable by the lack of action by the Government and Rotorua District Council."
Newbrook said it was not okay to "dump" people in motels in Rotorua.
"There are genuine homeless people who are being given a bad name by the cumulative effect of so many emergency housing motels in such close proximity ... People need real help, the government needs a real plan and they need to tell us what the plan is."
Response
The following response was provided:
See below updated comment from Anaru – please use this vs what was sent earlier this month. There’s nothing further at this time and there’s nothing from the organisation regarding the views expressed by Messrs Parry and Newbrook but thanks for checking.
From DCE Community Wellbeing - Anaru Pewhairangi:
Council continues to work closely with the owner and their representatives, MHUD and other government partners to ensure the safety of people both living and working at the site.
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Media: TVNZ (Fair Go)
Topic: Median rates
Enquiry
*NOTE - this was also sent to other councils
Thanks for getting back to Fair Go with information about your council’s fees and charges. The story featuring them will air on the 5th of September in case you would like to watch.
We are looking for one last piece of information from you:
Could you please provide the median residential rates bill for your area. No need for anything complicated, just the median amount that a household pays.
Response
The following information was provided:
The median rates for residential properties for 2020/21 in the Rotorua district is $2,726 (including GST)