8 August 2023
Media: Bay of Plenty Times
Topic: Regional council submission on cemetery site change of purpose
Enquiry
As you'll likely already be aware, the BOPRC Strategy and Policy Committee met today to decide whether to approve a submission opposing the Rotorua Lakes Council Cemetery Reserve change of purpose proposal. The submission is available on the meeting's agenda HERE
There were comments made in the meeting which I'd like to put to you to offer a right of response. We don't usually offer rights of response for stories covering council meetings but would like to do so in this instance, in good faith. Please find the comments below:
Rotorua-based regional councillor Kevin Winters said there were “huge traffic issues” relating to the proposal aside from the other concerns already noted by staff.
“What a silly place to put residential housing,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe it when it come into the agenda. I fully support the submission.”
“I can’t believe it’s on the radar,” Winters said.
Regional councillor Stuart Crosby said the matter was “sadly an issue facing a lot of areas in New Zealand where there’s desire to house people”.
“But I think we learn in this business that the right decisions have to be made right in the beginning. Otherwise, there could be consequences later on. It’s a matter of being studious and careful about where we put homes,” Crosby said.
Winters referred to recent flooding at Ngongatahā and said he was concerned the regional council could potentially become liable for potential future residential damages or loss of property despite its strong opposition in the first place.
Excerpts from the submission:
While poor ground conditions, natural hazards and geothermal activity might be able to be engineered around, “the adverse air quality impacts of siting incompatible activities together are unlikely to be avoided or mitigated through such means.
“The best course of action is to avoid having to try to manage such a situation in the first place.
“The ongoing experience of existing residential communities stuck next to industry in both Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty region are living proof, as we urge that the long-term ramifications of this decision are really considered, as well as whether there are better options for development and use of the land.”
Response
We provided the following information:
Nothing from the council organisation in response to the views expressed here or the BOPRC submission – as we are still in the process it would not be appropriate – but thank you for checking.
For your info, submissions and feedback on the proposal close today, 8 August 2023.
And you’ll find information about this proposal here: Te Urupā o Rotorua - Te whakapanoni i te kōmakatanga hei papa rēhia 2023 | Rotorua Cemetery Reserve - Change of Reserve Classification 2023 | Let's talk | Kōrero mai (rotorualakescouncil.nz)
We then confirmed, when the reporter asked if it was correct that the hearing of submissions was tomorrow, that this was correct and the hearing was part of the Community and District Development Committee meeting. We provided a link to the preview of this meeting on RLC website and a link to the meeting agenda.
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Media: The Hui (TV3/Newshub)
Topic: High lake levels
Enquiry
I'm covering the recent rise in lake levels and just wanted to see if there's been an update on how high the water is and what solutions are being looked into to try and manage the situation.
I do have a couple of questions about engineering solutions - would this be better to send to the regional council?
1) How high is Lake Rotomā currently? Have levels come down?
2) What support has been offered to residents around Rotoehu that are cut off? Food/transport/petrol costs etc? How long will this support be offered for?
3) What solutions are being looked into to prevent further flooding in Lake Rotoehu/Rotomā?
4) What are the main solutions that are being looked into when/if Lake Rotomā was to overflow?
Response
From DCE, Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions, Stavros Michael:
Background:
Unprecedented rainfall this year has caused flooding and rising lake levels at Rotomā and Rotoehu.
Data shows the lake levels for Rotomā and Rotoehu are the highest since 1972 and are higher that records set in 1971.
This has impacted residents and resulted in flooding of roads and slips around certain areas of both lakes.
The situation has caused flooding of areas at Rotomā (Manawahe, camp ground in particular) and reserves and some properties at Rotoehu and raised the risk of other properties also being flooded. It has impeded access to properties (including due to flooding of the Rotorua end of Manawahe Road).
It has also resulted in infrastructure like jetties and ramps becoming submerged or floating and navigation aids have moved, creating hazards in/on the water.
Unlike other lakes, there are no river outlets in lakes Rotomā or Rotoehu and no outlet infrastructure in place.
There is a natural surface outlet from Rotomā into Rotoehu where water from the former would overflow into Rotoehu.
This has not happened in recorded history but is a possibility and this would cause flooding of land and dwellings at Rotoehu and potentially cut off access via Manawahe Road.
Longer term solutions will need to be considered but the immediate focus is on providing any assistance residents may require with people’s safety the primary concern.
The situation is being closely monitored and those who require assistance are being put in touch with Rotorua Lakes Council via an Incident Management Team set up to provide a single port of call for support for residents.
The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme partners, Toi Moana (Bay of Plenty Regional Council), Rotorua Lakes Council and Te Arawa Lakes Trust) are collaborating to provide any immediate assistance they can, alongside the Rotorua Lakes Community Board which is assisting with and facilitating community engagement and communications.
Waka Kotahi, local iwi and Whakatane District Council are also involved in providing support.
Re: How high is Lake Rotomā currently? Have levels come down?
Lake levels have receded.
Reporter was referred to BOPRC for further information and data re this.
Re: What support has been offered to residents around Rotoehu that are cut off? Food/transport/petrol costs etc? How long will this support be offered for?
Two groups have been established to manage the issues caused by the extremely high levels at Rotoehu and Rotomā.
The RLC-led Rotoehu – Rotomā Response Team (RRRT) has representatives from RLC, the Rotorua Lakes Community Board (represented by its chair Phill Thomass), Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, local Iwi representation (Rotoma & Rotoehu catchment) and Waka Kotahi.
The safety of people is our primary concern and we are here to provide whatever support we can – phone (07) 348 4199.
The Team is focused on:
- Coordinating the response for requests for assistance from impacted residents, such as requests for sandbags or rates relief.
- Providing a ‘single point of contact’ for residents and property owners in Rotoehu and Rotomā. All requests should be made to Rotorua Lakes Council (07-348 4199). Council staff will triage calls and ensure callers are linked up with the appropriate service or agency, depending on their needs.
- Maintaining an overview of day-to-day, impacts and operational matters in respect of high lake levels in Rotoehu and Rotomā catchment.
The team is following Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) principles in terms of the structure of the response effort.
Another working group has been established by the Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group (at its quarterly meeting held in June 2023) which oversees the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme partners [CLICK HERE] to scope foreseeable climate change effects on lake levels, to explore a range of possible interventions/approaches and based on a set of criteria including cost/benefit analysis develop adaptation and mitigation options for the Te Arawa lakes communities.
This group comprises representatives from the lakes programme partners Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, plus regional leads for Crown agencies such as Waka Kotahi and representatives from local iwi groups.
Re: What solutions are being looked into to prevent further flooding in Lake Rotoehu/Rotomā?
Reporter was referred to BOPRC
Re: What are the main solutions that are being looked into when/if Lake Rotomā was to overflow?
Reporter was referred to BOPRC
RESPONSE FROM BOPRC
From Helen Creagh, Rotorua Catchments Manager, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana:
1) How high is Lake Rotomā currently? Have levels come down?
Today Lake Rotomā is at RL 317.627m, please see attached a graph which shows a very slow but steady reduction in lake levels since early May (from a height of around RL 317.642m).
3) What solutions are being looked into to prevent further flooding in Lake Rotoehu/Rotomā?
Solutions are being addressed collectively. At its hui on 23 June, the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group (a partnership between Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Rotorua Lakes Council) agreed to establish a working group with urgency (consisting of partners, iwi, community & stakeholders) to understand the effects of climate change on lake levels (across the Te Arawa lakes) and the risks this presents to lakeside communities. The working group has been tasked with considering options to manage the risk to of high lake levels across the Te Arawa lakes, including Rotomā and Rotoehu. A Terms of Reference and proposed membership of the Group will be recommended to the Strategy Group for adoption, at its meeting on 23 September 2023.
4) What are the main solutions that are being looked into when/if Lake Rotomā was to overflow?
It is now looking unlikely that Lake Rotomā will overflow, we are getting closer to the summer months and rainfall and lake level is decreasing. If Lake Rotomā gets to the natural point of overflow and starts a surface overflow to Lake Rotoehu, we don’t expect Lake Rotomā to get any higher. Our data shows us that about RL 318.21m will be the maximum height of Lake Rotomā, at which point it will start to overflow over the natural landform height to Rotoehu.
The point where Lake Rotomā could overflow is a natural saddle that has not been lowered or changed by the Council. The overflow point is the natural landform level and Council do not activate this, it is a natural process.
An overflow structure was constructed in the 1970’s that collects possible overflow water (after the saddle) into a large sump, this is then piped about 80m and into a drain that leads to the natural valley into Waitangi Stream and then Lake Rotoehu. Erosion protection was also installed downstream of this overflow point in the early 1970s (when the lakes were previously this high) to protect from erosion and scouring if an overflow occurs.
The structure will help ensure the overflow is safely conveyed into the natural valley. Once the overflow level is reached, the implications are that Lake Rotomā will stop rising in response to rainfall but Lake Rotoehu will potentially rise faster with each rainfall event.
It is important to note that Bay of Plenty Regional Council has lake level records since 1953, and in that time Lake Rotomā has never reached this overflow level. There is no certainty that the lake will reach this level and overflow.
Because we have no experience with it overflowing before, any predictions on its overflow are simply speculation. As the lake level rises it occupies a larger area and finds additional seepage pathways to release water. Time will tell if it overflows.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Liquor Licence
Enquiry
I understand Ambrosia Restaurant and Bar isn't allowed to serve alcohol at the moment potentially as a result of a Liquor Licensing Authority ruling.
I've searched the authority's website and there's no ruling that's publicly available under their name.
I don't suppose your liquor licensing inspector is able to point me in the right direction or provide comment or an explanation as to what happened?
Response
From DCE Community Wellbeing, Anaru Pewhairangi:
The On-Licence for this premise was not able to be renewed as the existing licence had expired. Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, an expired license cannot be renewed (Section 124).
Further to this S127 States a renewal application must be made no later than 20 working days before the expiry of the licence or by such later date (not being later than the date of expiry of the licence) than the licensing committee may allow. Ambrosia filed a new application on July 28.
We would like to remind all licensees of the importance of ensuring that they are familiar with the expiry date on their licenses to prevent any unnecessary delays in processing renewal applications.