4 July 2023
Media: Radio NZ
Topic: Fire safety in emergency housing
Enquiry
RNZ will report tomorrow on https://www.building.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/resolving-problems/determinations/2023/2023-017.pdf
I request 2 things:
- a short live interview on Morning Rpt tomorrow re what this win for LDC means. Pls advise. A producer from Morning Rpt will then liaise
- A short statement now as to what it means because the language of the Determination is not clear eg how wide-reaching is the impact; will existing emergency housing motels now have to apply to a change of use?
I have it from a LDC LGOIMA response today re the 13 contracted HUD motels that ‘these Motels will be undergoing a change of use a minimum of domestic smoke detectors will need to be installed into each unit (except for where the type 4 fire alarm has been installed).’ But that is all the info I have in plain language
Pls advise that this is due to the Determination.
Response
Mayor Tapsell will be interviewed on RNZ Morning Report tomorrow at around 7.40am.
The following response was also provided from DCE District Development, Jean-Paul Gaston:
Our interpretation of the Building Act has always been that emergency housing constitutes a change of use for motels but it’s not explicitly clear so we sought a determination in respect of Ashleigh Court, with whom we were in discussions at the time.
The determination on that property has confirmed our interpretation and gives us confidence to reach out to all motels and begin a process to confirm whether they have had a change of use.
This process is detailed in the Building Act and will require assessments and evaluations and may require upgrades that are reasonably practicable.
This is not an instant process and we will need to give operators time to undertake an assessment and for that to be considered.
Unfortunately there are limited numbers of people who can undertake these types of assessments so that will dictate the speed of the process.
In the first instance, we will be addressing matters with Ashleigh Court and will then write to all others, informing them of the determination, advising of the potential change of use for their premises and asking them to engage with us.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Rotorua stadium
Enquiry
I was wondering if someone can please help with some questions about the stadium, and the potential for attracting more big events here like the NRL game.
I was planning to write something up at the time the NRL presentation was given at council but didn't get around to it, so now am keen to write something about the potential for hosting future events post the game.
How is it projected to have impacted on the city's ability to attract large events like this?
What learnings are there from hosting the game for any similar future opportunities?
Venue challenges - lack of fixed infrastructure for hospo and broadcast, and limited team facilities. How can these be addressed?
There were two major events on at the same time, what impact did this have and can this be addressed going forward? (And how?)
Is there an estimate for total contribution to the Rotorua economy over the course of the event? (was this the 2.9m? How was this calculated with other events on at the same time?)
Anaru was talking about unsavoury events at the Napier game - was this the pitch invaders? He said there was a little bit in Rotorua too, was this the same issue? And if so, what can be done going forward?
He said he was hopeful to getting event back again - what are the chances and what conversations are being had around this? Would council fund any of it again?
With no host for 2025 Rugby league world cup, is there a poss Rotorua could host it or any games? Is there any update of feasibility study for NZ, Pacific and PNG?
Could Rotorua be the main NZ host?
What challenges might need to be addressed to do this?
Is a 20,000 capacity enough?
What would it mean for the city to host this? (Either games or as main host?)
I've heard mention a couple of times about an incident during the Lions Tour, I think during 2017, where the capacity of the stadium was near 30,000 but health and safety implications reduced this to be about 20,000 for future events.
Can I please know the details of what happened, who was involved, if there was a review of what happened, what it found and what the results were?
Response
Council has no further comment from what was said at the Community and District Development Committee on 14 June.
Clarification was given to the reporter that any updates on a feasibility study should be directed to the New Zealand Rugby League who has commissioned the study. They are also the organisation who is looking at a bid for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup and it will be up to NZRL to ask for bids to host those games.
It was also mentioned to the reporter, that the Napier incident mentioned in the verbal report was the a pitch invasion at the Warriors Game. There was a similar incident at the NRL Game in Rotorua but was handled quickly by security staff.
The last request asked by the reporter, for comments on something she had heard anecdotally was not a request Council could easily meet. The scope of her request was too wide for an event that was held several years ago in 2017, and we could waste a lot of staff time trying to provide information without a clear scope of what she is trying to find out. It was suggest that she refine her request so that we could respond through a LGOIMA.
Once we receive this we will endeavour to respond as early as we can, subject to the availability of staff who were involved at that game.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Forest thefts and vandalism
Enquiry
I am working on a story about the vandalism and thefts that have been happening in the forest. It comes off the back of speaking with Mountain Bike Rotorua experiencing arson, damage and theft at the weekend.
I believe MTB Rotorua is meeting with the council and forest managers today. Tak said he hoped to talk about more proactive responses in the forest.
- What was the result of the meeting?
- What proactive responses were discussed?
- What are the next steps? What will be implemented in the forest to keep it safe, and when will this be implemented?
- Any other comments are welcome.
FYI this is what we got from Tak. He said he met with the council's forest recreation lead. I've put what he's said below the questions. The questions are linked to what he said below.
- What has the council gone back to the police about regarding how they could work with those at the meeting yesterday?
- With the live-view council surveillance system, can it confirm it will be working with Timberlands and MTB Rotorua to see how it can link the different camera systems?
- If there are inaccuracies in what Mutu said, please let me know.
I look forward to your response to this and the previous query.
Mutu said he caught up with Rotorua Lakes Council’s forest recreational management lead and Timberlands head of security for the forest. The recreational management of the forest was taken care of by the council on behalf of the landowners.
He said everyone spoke about the issues that had been happening over the last couple of years, and the weekend incident, especially lighting a fire in a forestry area, “really spurred them to come around the table”.
Mutu said the theft was one thing, but the lighting of fires was another thing, and there has also been incidents where hunters with firearms have been in the forests.
“We had a really good discussion about how we collaborate to better the security in the forest.”
Timberlands was looking to initiate a few different safety measures.
Mutu said the council worked closely with the police and would go to the police to see how they could all work closely on issues in the forest.
Mutu said there were already security cameras at different parts of the forest.
He said the council had live-view city surveillance systems and had cameras near the forest, and the parties would look into linking them all.
The parties at the meeting were looking at how they could extend the security system to include other parts of the forest, and how all the different systems could come together.
Response
We referred the reporter to Mr Mutu in the first instance as he was the instigator of the meeting and subsequently provided the following:
From RLC Community Wellbeing DCE, Anaru Pewhairangi:
Council had a productive meeting with Mr Mutu and Timberlands and we will all be looking into coordinating security measures around the forest. But for now we are asking the public to report any suspicious behaviour to the Police.