16 September 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Building consents
Enquiry
May I please request the latest building consent data for August? My questions are below.
•How many residential consents were issued in August 2022?
•How many commercial consents were issued in August 2022?
•What was the total value of residential consents issued in August 2022?
•What was the total value of commercial consents issued in August 2022?
•What were the top five commercial consents in terms of value issued in August 2022? (Please include address, value of consent, and when issued)
I would also like to request:
•How many commercial consents have been issued for the last three years to date? (Eg: since August 2019 to August 2022)
•How many commercial consents were issued in 2019, 2020, 2021 and so far in 20222?
•What was the total value of commercial consents issued for the last three years to date? (Eg: since August 2019 to August 2022)
Response
The following information was provided:
Total value of commercial consents issued in August 2022 - $7,150,000
Total value of residential consents issued in August 2022 - $14,678,045
Total number of commercial consents issued in August 2022 – 8
Total number of residential consents issued in August 2022 - 103
Top 5 Commercial consents issued in August 2022:
Project | Address | Value |
ALTERATIONS TO CLUBHOUSE | 22 HILDA STREET | $3,500,000 |
NEW HIGH ROPES STRUCTURE | 33 WAIPA STATE MILL ROAD | $1,700,000 |
EXTEND EXISTING BUILDING AND VARIOUS ALTERATIONS | 26 TAREWA PLACE | $450,000 |
INTERNAL REFURBISHMENT OF BLOCK G, | 22 SCHOOL ROAD | $400,000 |
VARIOUS INTERNAL WORKS TO CLASSROOMS AND TOILETS | 149 RANOLF STREET | $400,000 |
Commercial consents issued for the last 3 years to date? (eg since August 2019 to August 2022):
- Sep 19 to Aug 20 - 133
- Sep 20 to Aug 21 - 143
- Sep 21 to Aug 22 - 110
- Sep 22 (1-15) - 3
Commercial consents issued in 2019, 2020, 2021 and so far in 2022? (1 January to 31 December):
- 2019 - 150
- 2020 - 125
- 2021 - 134
- 2022 - 72
Total value of commercial consents issued for the last 3 years to date (eg since August 2019 to August 2022):
- Sep 19 to Aug 20 - $57,768,800
- Sep 20 to Aug 21 - $125,993,000
- Sep 21 to Aug 22 - $79,671,350
- Sep 22 (1-15) - $705,000
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Dog attacks
Enquiry
I was speaking with a lady whose dog was attacked at the Scion dog park and had a couple questions I could please have answered? She believes he has died as a result of his injuries. The owner of the dog did not stay to provide her details.
Does council keep data on how many dog attacks there have been?
If so, can I please be advised on how many there have been reported this year? (Does this include against dogs?)
What can people do if they or their dog has been attacked by another dog?
What can animal control do about this situation? (Heather Kelly is the owner of the injured dog, the attack happened on Monday. She said she called animal control about it).
Any comment on animal attacks?
Response
FromCouncil’s Manager, Community & Regulatory Services, Kurt Williams:
Does council keep data on how many dog attacks there have been?
If so, can I please be advised on how many there have been reported this year? (Does this include against dogs?)
Council has received 180 reports of attacks between 1 January 2022 and 15 September 2022.
- 46 - reported attacks on people.
- 108 - reported attacks on domestic animals.
- 26 - reported attacks on stock.
What can people do if they or their dog has been attacked by another dog?
If you have experienced or witnessed a dog attack, it is important to gather as much information as possible about the offending dog and owner, including location of the attack, description of the dog/dogs involved, and vehicle registration numbers if possible. The sooner the attack is reported to Council the better. Attacks can be reported 24/7.
Photos and videos of the incident are also very useful and it can be helpful to get the contact details of other people who witnessed or provided assistance during the event.
Once reported to Council, our Animal Control team will investigate the incident and determine appropriate action.
What can animal control do about this situation? (Heather Kelly is the owner of the injured dog, the attack happened on Monday. She said she called animal control about it).
We are aware of this incident and as above, it is under investigation.
Any comment on animal attacks?
In the summer months we do tend to see an increase in incidents as the warm weather and longer daylight hours mean people are out-and-about with their dogs and families more, which can create increased opportunities for dogs to get into trouble if not under control.
Regardless of location, the key responsibilities of a dog owner are to care for their dog, keep other people and animals safe around their dog, and to ensure dogs are secured on properties at all times.
Unfortunately roaming dogs can also lead to attacks on people and other animals. Following these simple steps can help prevent these distressing situations.
- Know where your dog is at all times. If they roam, they are not under control and you are potentially putting your dog, other people and animals at unnecessary risk.
- Make sure your dog is regularly exercised and when doing so, that it is under effective control at all times by way of leash or voice command (instant recall), even in dedicated dog exercise areas.
- You are responsible for ensuring your dog is provided with the proper care, attention, food, water, shelter and exercise it needs.
- Remember that your dog is part of your whānau and deserves to be included in your adventures. If a dog is left alone too often, they may come up with a cheeky and unwelcome plan to find another whānau to join in with!
- All dogs large and small can potentially attack if the right circumstances exist and this can have disastrous consequences for all involved.
- Ensure your dog is desexed and also registered on time each year. This means your dog is less likely to want to roam and potentially get into trouble, and also helps our Animal Control Team more easily reunite dogs with owners where possible.
- Talk to your whānau (particularly children) about what to do if you are approached by a roaming dog. Remember the key message “if a dog is on its own, leave it alone”. If approached, make yourself look as large as possible and if you can, put something between you and the dog (e.g. a bike or fence) and speak loudly and with authority. Do not run or turn your back on the dog, but back away slowly. As soon as you are in a safe position, call Council and provide as much detail as possible about the dog and situation.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Mayoral candidate statement re council CE
Enquiry
I was at the mayoral debate last night and asked Fletcher Tabuteau today to expand on a comment he made about reappointing the chief executive should he be elected as mayor.
He said at the meeting: "The one executive decision the mayor gets to make, and I will make, and I hate saying this in public, is that I will replace the ceo of the council. We need a new ceo."
This morning I asked him to explain what he meant. Tabuteau declined to comment further on why, but said it was about a commitment to review council structure which included the chief executive and the seven deputies.
He said the current leadership structure was "untenable".
"After long years of service, it is only reasonable, along with the seven deputy CE's, the CE's position be reviewed as well."
Review was needed because, as he understood it, the council structure and the leadership configuration led to silos and different departments competing for resources.
May I have response to this from a council perspective and from Geoff Williams?
Does the mayor get to chose the chief exec?
How is the chief executive chosen?
Response
Re council perspective: It is inappropriate for the council organisation to comment on political statements.
Re Geoff Williams: Mr Williams considers it is inappropriate for him to comment on political statements made by election candidates.
Re how CE gets appointed:
The CE is appointed by the Council, not solely by the Mayor, and this is done via a formal recruitment process.
For example, the current CE was appointed in 2013 by the then Kevin Winters-led Council. His contract was extended by 2 years in 2017 as per Clause 35 of the Local Government Act and he was re-appointed to the role in March 2020 following a formal external recruitment process. The Act does not allow for a further extension of the term of the employment agreement (see Clause 34). The external recruitment process, facilitated by an experienced independent HR consultant, attracted 14 applicants with 3 shortlisted and Mr Williams subsequently reappointed.
The CE’s current employment contract expires 30 June 2025.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Summer festivals
Enquiry
I'm writing a positive/light-hearted story about summer festivals taking place in the Bay of Plenty/Rotorua region now that Covid restrictions/the traffic light system have been dropped.
I understand the Glo Festival has been cancelled for the past two years due to Covid-related reasons.
I am seeking a response to the below questions:
Now that Covid restrictions have dropped and the traffic light system removed, can the council say with confidence the Glo Festival will go ahead this year? Why/why not?
If so, will the council be doing anything extra special for this year's event since it has been cancelled for the past two years? What will this be?
How many people are expected to show up?
What can people expect from the festival?
Response
Thanks for your enquiry into the GLO Festival. No final decision has been made yet.
Rotorua Lakes Council is currently reviewing the event calendar over the summer and a decision will be made soon.