17 October 2022
Media: Stuff
Topic: PSA picket
Enquiry
Getting in touch with a couple of questions re the PSA protest action planned for today.
The PSA has claimed "The pay system is deeply flawed" at council - can I ask for a response to that?
The PSA has also claimed councils pay system lacks transparency - again can I ask for a response to that?
Lastly, does council have a message for the protesting staff?
Response
From Thomas Collé, DCE Organisational Enablement:
We are committed to providing fair and equitable conditions for all of our employees. We have been working with the PSA in good faith and will continue to do so to reach a satisfactory outcome.
Rotorua Lakes Council’s pay system is fair and transparent. All roles are graded and benchmarked against similar roles New Zealand-wide and all staff know where they sit on the pay range against their grade.
During the past few years Council has focused on ensuring all staff are paid close to 100 per cent of their grade. We have also had a focus on equal pay and making sure that at a minimum, we pay at least the living wage.
We were given advance notice of the picket by the PSA and acknowledge people’s right to peaceful protest.
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Media: Maori TV
Topic: Safety of marae buildings
Enquiry
Kia ora I filmed a hui on Sat 15th Oct at Tuhourangi Cafe. Bruce facilitated on behalf of the Council about being marae civil defense ready. An article had come out yesterday Mon 17th Oct which may compromise my story. For example, the hui suggests a marae could be a place of safety during emergencies but are they even safe to do this as the article points out?
The question I need attention to from the council is, are our marae that attended the hui earthquake proof and if not what can the council do to help?
Response
From Gina Rangi, Manahautū Māori / DCE Te Arawa Partnerships:
We were very pleased with the fantastic turnout at the hui to discuss the vital role they could play in the event of a state of emergency. We know that in an emergency marae are often depended on to support the community response.
There are many scenarios that may result in a civil defence emergency, not just earthquakes.
Following the initial hui, part of working with our marae in this space will be ensuring they have the guidance and support they need to ensure the safety of their buildings, as required by government legislation.
Access to emergency resources can become scarce or cut off in a civil defence emergency which means communities may need to look after themselves for a period of time. Part of our civil defence role as a council is to work with communities to encourage preparedness and to help them develop response plans.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: September consents
Enquiry
Please may I request the following information:
- How many residential consents were issued in September 2022?
- How many commercial consents were issued in September 2022?
- What was the total value of residential consents issued in September 2022?
- What was the total value of commercial consents issued in September 2022?
What were the top five commercial consents in terms of value issued in September 2022? (Please include address, value of consent, and when issued)
Response
Please see below the commercial building consents for September 2022.
• The total value of commercial consents issued in September 2022 - $781,000
• The total value of residential consents issued in September 2022 - $11,040,000
• The total number of commercial consents issued in September 2022 - 5
• The total number of residential consents issued in September 2022 - 84
Commercial consents issued:
Project | Address | Value |
REMOVE ROOF LIGHTS, NEW ROOFING AND REFORM GUTTERS | 30 BELL ROAD | $435,000 |
CONSTRUCT TRANSPORTABLE BUILDING | 6 TI STREET | $170,000 |
RELOCATE CLASSROOM, NEW PILES AND DECK | 63 SALA STREET | $100,000 |
UPGRADE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM | 1005B SH30, TE NGAE | $46,000 |
INSTALL SHOWER IN COMMERCIAL BUILDING | 1231 RANOLF STREET | $30,000 |
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Work to prevent reserve damage in Kuirau Park
Enquiry
In August I wrote a story about the state of Kuirau and I've had a tip-off from the public that there's development occurring in the park at the moment.
I've been able to nip down there and saw a digger lifting large rocks in place and briefly spoke to him about the work he's doing but wanted to go through the proper channels and follow up with council.
Can I ask, when was the decision made to do something (like put boulders in place to prevent cars driving onto the grassed areas) about Kuirau and action it? Was it the new council?
What are the plans in place, exactly? What work is being done? When will it be complete?
What measures are in place to actively monitor and note any improvements and/or deterioration?
How much is this work costing the council? And do they think it's good value for the community?
Who is the contractor for the remedial/preventative work? And can I please have a contact person to speak with them about the work?
I also have another pātai regarding the bridge area that is cordoned off over the roto (lake). What happened there? And will that bridge ever be repaired or built up? Or taken down? Is it structurally unsound?
Response
From Active and Engaged Communities Manager, Rob Pitkethley:
Council will trial a six month road closure at Kuirau Park from November in response to repeated damage caused by vehicles on the reserve that affects nearby residents, the community and is detrimental to the natural environment. This will impact the road section from the Tarewa Road entrance through to the central Kuirau Park roundabout.
Active and Engaged Communities Manager, Rob Pitkethley, says council have been working on possible solutions since June to ensure that Kuirau Park remains one of the premier geothermal attractions in Rotorua and a safe place for people to recreate.
“We want to preserve the recreational values and protect the natural environment of Kuirau Park, while ensuring that the public can enjoy this reserve safely.
Timing of the trial has been dependent on contractor availability to install rocks and gates in the area.
During the six month closure period, the reserve and environments will be monitored, and council will seek feedback from the community, iwi and other stakeholders regarding the trial closure to help inform next steps. Once the gates are installed, people will be able to provide feedback via Council’s Korero Mai | Let’s Talk platform during the six month trial period.
The rocks are currently being put into place and we expect the gates to be installed in early November.
The total cost for the project is approximately $45,000, and InfraCore is the contractor carrying out the work.
Mr Pitkethley says compared with alternative solutions, such as installing bollards or fencing the entire surrounds of the reserve, we believe this is good value for money.
“Gating the road section will allow flexibility in the future. This also allows restoration to take place as the area will be secure from vehicles causing ongoing damage.”
The bridge going over Kuirau Park Lake which is cordoned off will be removed as it is no longer safe for public use and is a significant cost to replace. This will be removed once operational funding allows.
Note to reporter:
Not as part of the response but for your knowledge and understanding, the decision regarding this work at Kuirau Park was an operational decision, not a decision of the new council. The new council hasn’t yet been sworn in or had any meetings for decision-making.