3 October 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topics: Slips on roads and weekend wastewater overflow
Enquiry
I was wondering if you could please inform me of the status of any slips in the region this morning, along with the location? Have council contractors been sent out to any?
Also can you please provide me with an update regarding the wastewater overflow? Do residents still need to watch what they put down their drains and sinks?
Response
The reporter was directed to roading information available on Council’s website HERE.
The reporter was reminded that people being careful about what they’re putting down drains and sinks isn’t just a wet weather thing, but people should never be putting these items down their drains, sinks and toilets as they can cause issues at any time, not just during wet weather.
The following comment was provided by RLC Infrastructure Networks Performance Manager, Eric Cawte:
As highlighted yesterday, the overflow stopped once the blockage was cleared and the plant is back to operating as it should. Water sampling continues and we are yet to receive results from the lab. Signage advising against contact with the water remains in place in affected areas.
It is always important that residents are vigilant about what they are putting down their sinks, drains and toilets. Things such as cleaning wipes, rags, sanitary products, and fats can all cause blockages that may result in an overflow, especially during times of heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall can significantly increase the volume of wastewater in our system and when the system is working at this capacity it is much more likely that a foreign object/s will cause a blockage.
As a reminder for residents, wastewater comes from your kitchen and laundry sinks and appliances, and from showers, baths and toilets. Wipes, rags, and sanitary products should be disposed of in the rubbish bin, they shouldn’t be flushed. Fats should be left to solidify and then disposed of in the rubbish bin, not washed down sinks and drains.
Other items that have been found in our wastewater network include children’s toys, cutlery, an oil can, building materials, a hedgehog and a pig head.
When items other than wastewater enter the network it can result in significant issues for our wastewater infrastructure and for our environment.
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Media: Business Desk
Topic: Smart Environmental
Enquiry
I am writing a report on Smart Environmental/Earthcare’s performance over the past five years.
I am sending this to all of the local bodies which are mentioned on their website as clients.
Can you please provide a list of how much in council funding it has received each year from the past five years and brief description of what the money is for, ie kerbside recycling/refuse/transfer station management.
Can you please also provide a list of how much its biggest competitors Waste Management and EnviroWaste have received each year over the past five years, and a brief description of what the money is for, ie kerbside recycling/refuse/transfer station management.
Can you also provide how much Smart Environmental/Earthcare is expected to receive from the council in the next five years (ie due to existing contracts), and explain when each contract expires.
Can you also provide a brief description of any tenders which Smart Environmental/Earthcare tendered for but was unsuccessful, and name the successful company.
Response
From DCE Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions, Stavros Michael:
Q1. Cost of Smart Environmental contract for Rotorua Lakes Council:
- Year 2017/18: $1,218,268
- Year 2018/19: $5,302,766
- Year 2019/20: $5,562,335
- Year 2020/21: $5,421,406
- Year 2021/22: $5,801,211
Total: $23,733,340
The contract includes kerbside collection, recycling drop services, collection of illegal dumping, litter bin servicing and waste transfer services on behalf of Rotorua Lakes Council.
The kerbside collection services about 27,100 properties, collecting on average 15,000 tonnes of refuse and 5,000 tonnes of recycling per year.
Also included in the contract is the operation of four rural transfer stations in Okere, Tarawera, Mamaku and Reporoa.
Q2.Cost of Waste Management contract for Rotorua Lakes Council:
- Year 2017/18: $440,048.95
- Year 2018/19: $2,080,581.28
- Year 2019/20: $2,525,953.62
- Year 2020/21: $2,772,706.97
- Year 2021/22: $3,122,652.01
Total: $11,184,617.33
Contract includes management of landfill site and landfill transfer station, waste disposal from landfill transfer station, site inspections, skip supply and other.
Q3. Can you also provide how much Smart Environmental/Earthcare is expected to receive from the council in the next five years (ie due to existing contracts), and explain when each contract expires.
For the next five years we expect to continue with the same level of service. The only change would be influenced by inflation. Both contracts are set to expire in 2031.
Q4. Can you also provide a brief description of any tenders which Smart Environmental/Earthcare tendered for but was unsuccessful, and name the successful company.
This has not occurred.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Library fines-free policy
Enquiry
After receiving today’s RLC news release about an increase in members since Rotorua Library removed overdue fines in July this year (see release HERE) the reporter sought the following additional information:
How much revenue has the library lost going fines free?
What has the library done to mitigate this loss?
Response
From Rotorua Library Director Laura Marshall:
We had previously estimated we would be issuing approximately $2000 per month in overdue fines but it’s not possible to accurately predict and the amount of overdue fines has been decreasing as customers have increasingly moved to on-line, fines-free services.
Previously fines created a barrier for those who most needed the types of services offered by libraries.
Re mitigations: We remain vigilant about operational costs and making reductions where this is possible. One area we’d had some savings in is security, by making greater use of the Safe City Guardians and reducing use of external contractors.
On a really positive note, staff are really enjoying being freed up from spending time on enforcement to now having more time to reach out to more people in our community.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Dead cats on roadside
Enquiry
We had a call from a concerned woman who said there are three dead cats along Ward St.
Is council aware of this?
How long have they been there (if known?)
What normally happens when there are dead animals on the roadside? (Is it council that removes them?)
Is it unnusual to have three dead cats in close proximity?
What might have killed the cats? (Is it likely all three were hit by cars? Other cause? Same cause?)
Is this cause for concern?
Any message for the public?
Response
We don’t have anything for you I’m afraid. We don’t have any record of any reports to RLC about dead cats on Ward Avenue – although I’m making one more check so will let you know if that changes.
For your understanding, if we were contacted, Council’s involvement would be restricted to picking up the cats from the roadside if requested. Council has no legislative powers re control or welfare of cats.
We can’t speculate on possible causes of the deaths as we have no information.
Anyone with concerns relating to cat welfare (which comes under the Animal Welfare legislation that is administered by the SPCA) should contact the SPCA. If you haven’t already done so, I would recommend contacting the SPCA to check if they have received any reports about this particular matter and/or for any general insights or info relating to the welfare of cats.
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Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Police ceremony
Enquiry
I'm getting in touch to see if I can get some follow up comments on the Police Remembrance Day Ceremony held at the council on Thursday.
I was away on leave and unable to attend but our photographer came along and took a couple photos.
I've popped a couple questions below:
- Why is it special for council to host the Police Remembrance Day Ceremony?
- What did the Ceremony include?
- Why do you think it is it important to have this Day of Remembrance?
Response
We explained that while the Civic Centre was the venue for the ceremony, RLC did not host it and the reporter would need to get any additional info from the police.