30 May 2023
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Illegal activity by dirtbike riders
Enquiry
I am keen to write something up on the impact illegal dirtbikers are having on the community [See RLC news release re this here and had some questions I was hoping to have answered please.
- How much is this activity costing the council?
- Where are the problem areas?
- Is the council looking at ways to stop this kind of activity occurring? (I.e. installing bollards at reserves etc)
- How many complaints from the public is the council receiving? This last month? Year? Has this been increasing?
Response
From DCE Community Wellbeing Anaru Pewhairangi:
While CCTV cameras are an option, given the number of access points to the reserves, they are unlikely to be an effective deterrent. Council has undertaken work to limit vehicle access and improvements to fencing around reserves, and signage. Council is investigating the potential for a bylaw to enable more enforcement for motorbikes/vehicles on reserves.
Problem areas include Westbrook, Ray Boord Park and Linton Park, all of which have multiple entry points to allow the community easy access, including access for people with disabilities and using mobility devices. Council is mindful that any initiatives to keep motorbikes out of a reserve will also negatively impact access for legitimate users.
The damage to grassed reserves can be rectified during normal maintenance, so there is no significant additional cost.
If the public would like to report an issue to Council, our Customer Centre is available 24 hours a day on 07 348 4199. If there is an immediate threat to the public on a Council reserve, people should contact the Police by calling 111, or if calling after the event, 105 to report the detail.
Additional to the above, as per the media release:
Rotorua Lakes Council Deputy Chief Executive Community Wellbeing, Anaru Pewhairangi, says community safety is a key priority for Council.
“Community safety is one of the four priorities set by elected members for the 2022-25 triennium. Together with Police, we have integrated new actions into our Rotorua Community Safety Plan to support this, which includes an increased focus on public safety.
“Councils partnership with Police is critical to ensure Rotorua is a safe and thriving place for all, but we can’t do this alone. We need everybody’s help to keep our community safe.”
Re number of complaints: This will take time to collate from our Requests for Service records as things can be reported differently so this would need to be done manually and we are not able to do this in your [requested] timeframe sorry.
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Media: NewsHub
Topic: Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS)
Enquiry
I'm getting in touch to see if the Rotorua council will opt out of the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) like the National Party is proposing if elected.
Here's more info here - https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/05/election-2023-national-proposes-significant-change-to-historic-bipartisan-housing-policy.html
Will the Rotorua council opt out?
If so, why?
Response
This enquiry was referred, on the reporter’s behalf, to the Mayor’s office for Mayor Tapsell’s consideration, given the political nature of this matter.