12 July 2023
Media: Whakaata Maori
Topic: Cemetery site change proposal
Enquiry
Could we arrange an on-camera interview with someone early next week on this proposal, Cemetery Reserve Change?
Questions: What is this about, why is it being done, how will it be done, who is involved, and what are the outcomes envisaged?
I know there is already information out on this topic to answer the above questions but we need someone to speak into it to make it a TV News item.
Response
Interview request was declined as the proposed change is now out for consultation but provided the following information for the reporter’s understanding/use as background:
Please see below an extract from a news item on RLC website following the Council meeting of 15 December 2022 when this matter came to elected members for a decision. The links in this will take you to the agenda report which has all the background and explanation, and to this part of the December meeting recording which provides more info.
15 Dec 2022: Consultation on proposed change of reserve purpose
Council has approved public consultation on a proposal to change the purpose of the northern part of the Rotorua Cemetery Reserve, which is unsuitable for burials, to enable its use by mana whenua for housing.
A further report will be progressed on the process to revoke the reserve status of that part of the reserve but this will be a longer process, generally a minimum of two years. Changing the purpose will take just a few months and is an interim step to enable access to and preparation of the site for housing in advance of reserve status being revoked.
Pukeroa Ōruawhata Trust has signalled its intention to provide housing on the reserve as part of the Ngāti Whakaue contribution to the Rotorua Housing Accord.
The Trust is in ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development regarding funding opportunities to enable housing on the site, a report to the Council notes. The report notes that the provision of community housing is consistent with the intent of the Rotorua Housing Accord.
It is proposed that the stated purpose be changed under Section 24A of the Reserves Act 1977 from Local Purpose (Cemetery) Reserve to Local Purpose (Community Housing) Reserve.
The site, on the corner of Sala Street and Te Ngae Road, is not being used for the purpose for which it was originally gifted by Ngāti Whakaue and must therefore be returned to Pukeroa Ōruawhata Trust on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue. The reserve classification must be revoked before it is returned.
Go to p37 of the meeting agendato read the full report on this matter
Go directly to this part of the recording of the livestreamed meeting via THIS LINK
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rates increase
Enquiry
I am working on an article about how the rates rise could affect pensioners. The following comments have been put to me. The council has the right of reply to them.
From Aged Concern Rotorua manager Rory O'Rourke:
- O'Rourke expressed concerns the "ridiculous" rates rise would be "unattainable" for many pensioners
- “They’re living off the superannuation, and with the cost of living crisis throughout the whole country – the council can’t throw in the rates rise as well as all the other things that are happening. We are seeing a lot of our members really struggling and coming in to see how we can help them as it is. There’s some real sad cases out there at the moment.”
- O’Rourke said that for elderly homeowners who have to pay life insurance in order to be granted a mortgage, they are already battling a real “catch-22″ that he believed the rates rise would only make more difficult. “I had a couple come in who were asking me about how they could change their life insurance which is costing them $75 a fortnight, on top of their mortgage, and now with the rates rise, it’s just going to make it unattainable for them because they have no other income apart from their superannuation.”
- O’Rourke said although the rates rise would only directly affect homeowners, who make up just below half of Rotorua’s Age Concern members, he believed those renting will also be impacted in the long term. “Obviously landlords can’t carry the extra rates, so they’ll have to offset it by putting their rentals up.”
- O’Rourke was also concerned that some senior community members’ voices may not have been heard during the council’s online survey process.
The following additional criticisms have been made regarding the rates rise.
- Retiree Gerald Hanson said if he and his wife still owned their home in Ngongotahā “there would be a lot of money going out” each month. “If we were still in Ngongotahā our rates would be $5000 a year even with the Government’s rebate.”
Hanson said the rise in rates was “going to hit people very hard”.
“I would say with fuel prices going up as well and the food prices jumping it’s going to be tough.
“I have no idea what next year’s going to bring.”
- Grey Power president Michelle Nahu said the rates rise had not come at a good time for anybody.
“But for the elderly it’s probably a worse time,” Nahu said.
“If you’re on a super we all know that unless you’ve paid for your retirement it’s not a very good time.
“It’s sad because they’ve worked all their lives. They’ve contributed to our community forever. They’ve retired and now they’re living on a pension that’s not enough to meet their living costs.”
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell:
“Rates ensure that our city can run smoothly and much of what we’re investing in is ensuring safe and reliable infrastructure for our community which is a top priority for Council.
“We’ve seen failures elsewhere in the country when a lack of investment in sewerage or stormwater infrastructure resulted in poor outcomes for the community and environment.
“I made a commitment to stop the spend and we have reduced rates from an expected increase of 11.95% to 8.8%. We also saved $3.8million with a further efficiencies target of $1.5million throughout the year.
“This Council explored every opportunity to reduce costs and gave the community several proposals to consider.
“We had strong feedback that locals didn’t want to see some of the proposed cuts in areas like community funding, gardens, events and recreation.
“The final plan reflects that we listened to feedback and ensures we are delivering on what the community told us is important to them.
“If people are struggling with their rates, I strongly encourage them to get in touch with the Council to discuss options available such as a rates remission.”
From council organisation, additional to what was sent yesterday:
In case you are not aware, with regards to how people could provide feedback/submissions, the online survey Mr O’Rourke mentions was just one way people could provide feedback. The comment you’ve provided us re this makes it sound like that was the only way for people to have their say but that is not correct.
People could also:
- Email feedback/submissions
- Post feedback/submissions
- Drop off written feedback/submissions to our customer centre
- Phone council and provide verbal feedback
- Post comments on RLC’s Facebook page
- Attend one of the consultation events that were held and have their feedback recorded
There was information, including the draft annual plan, online for people to read and there were also copies of the draft plan for people to pick up from the council building, the library and at consultation events.
We asked that if the reporter used the comment regarding the survey, she also include the other ways people were able to provide feedback/make submissions.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Improper documentation sign-offs
Enquiry
I am following up on the comments today on the Kodiak engineer from Taupō.
- What risk is there to the properties found to be impacted?
- Are there concerns about them, and what are they?
- Everything is alleged at the moment and a police investigation in underway - can I ask why council has taken the steps to check the documents and contact property owners?
- When was the first instance for Rotorua council of the issue? (When was the work done)
- Should staff have picked up on this? Why/why not?
- Had any concerns been raised before May 20 when Engineers New Zealand advised councils? If so, by who and how many times?
- What buildings have been identified? Who owns them?
- Has council received any advice from central government or anyone else on how to deal with this going forward?
Any other comment or imp info?
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council DCE District Development, Jean-Paul Gaston:
What risk is there to the properties found to be impacted?
Whether there are any risks or issues – of a design, structural or geotechnical nature (which is the type of work the person in question undertook) – would be identified through reviews of the work that was done. We will be dealing directly with impacted parties.
Are there concerns about them, and what are they?
See above.
Everything is alleged at the moment and a police investigation in underway - can I ask why council has taken the steps to check the documents and contact property owners?
Impacted councils are taking these steps on the advice of Engineering NZ because this is a matter of public safety.
When was the first instance for Rotorua council of the issue? (When was the work done)
One project dates back to 2020.
Should staff have picked up on this? Why/why not?
Please refer to Engineering NZ FAQs where it states that these sign-offs are “a quality mark for chartered professional engineers who have undergone a competency assessment and are something that councils should be able to trust”.
Had any concerns been raised before May 20 when Engineers New Zealand advised councils? If so, by who and how many times?
No.
What buildings have been identified? Who owns them?
They are privately owned buildings.
Has council received any advice from central government or anyone else on how to deal with this going forward?
The more than 40 councils impacted are receiving support and advice from Engineering NZ and MBIE if/as needed.