28 February 2024

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Mamaku community hall

Enquiry

Was in the [Council] meeting this morning where Thomas Colle said a decision had not been made to demolish the Mamaku hall.

It was very clearly communicated at the community board meeting last week that it indeed had been decided, not that it was just recommended to do so.

Samantha Rowley also clearly stated the damage was beyond repair.

Noting the presentation: Next Steps;

Plans are underway for the demolition of the Mamaku Hall. RLC are looking at what can be recovered from the building for future use.

I know very well I would have been corrected if I was wrong in thinking so.

Can I please ask how this change has come about, and why? Please explain.

Is repair a viable option, and since when?

What is the next step in determining the future of the hall and what is the expected timeline?

If unsustainability of the halls was raised ten years ago can it please be explained why they have been able to get to the point of closure for safety reasons and nothing done before now?

What specific money has gone into the hall in the last ten years for maintenance and for what?

Responses

From Mayor Tania Tapsell:

“I acknowledge this news has come as a shock to many, halls are important buildings for our community. As a Council having safe and reliable infrastructure and ensuring the health and safety of our people is a top priority.

“Work has been underway to ensure our community halls are up to standard and it’s been deeply saddening that a building condition report has shown that Mamaku Hall has structural damage that is unrepairable.

“Staff are now working through gathering more information so we can understand the next steps. Although the building report recommends demolition, I can reassure the community that options will come back to Council before a final decision is made. I expect this to include options of what to do with the building, including what the cost and timeframes of this may be.

“I know how important these halls are to our rural and lakes communities and we will continue to share information with our Mamaku residents as we get a better understanding of our options for the future.”

From Rotorua Lakes Council Interim Chief Executive – Gina Rangi:

Council understands the vital role the Mamaku hall plays in the community. Sadly it’s beyond repair and based on the reports that we have reopening isn’t feasible. A final decision of what will happen to the hall will be made once all options have been explored and reported to Council for their direction on how we should proceed.

At this stage no timelines have been set down as we are still in the early stages of determining the future of the hall. Council is preparing that information now and we expect to report all of that information to Council, Community Board and Mamaku residents in the next few months.

Note to the reporter: In regards to your question on the unsustainability of the halls 10 years ago, Council is happy to share that paper with you once we have tracked down a copy.

Subsequent enquiry from reporter

May I also please provide the following for response if desired:

Both Karen Barker and Conan O’Brien told Local Democracy Reporting after this week’s meeting they understood from last week's the hall was to be demolished.

In Barkers view: “It appears now that the reality is in fact, that there is a variety of additional work and communication that will occur before any final decision-making takes place, including the potential for another local builder’s assessment.”

She said the discrepancy in communication led to “a lot of concern and uncertainty” in the community and could have been avoided if the council had been clearer, more inclusive and understanding of the importance the building.

She and the community board planned to hold a community information meeting in Mamaku in the near future, and give an opportunity for them to ask questions about the assessment reports.

“The council’s next steps will be observed closely by the rural communities of the Rotorua district, and I would hope that along with the completion of this review of the condition of halls, that the council will take some steps to improve the way we manage and monitor these key community buildings.”

O’Brien said he since told Colle of a council notice that advised: “The hall will need to be removed and plans for this are underway”. Local Democracy Reporting saw a notice following last week’s meeting on the hall stating the same.

O’Brien said, in his personal view, the subject had been “very poorly handled”.

“It raises very important questions around the council’s maintenance and asset management systems.

“We have let the people of Mamaku, Reporoa and potentially other rural communities, down very badly.”

He hoped work underway on all the community halls enabled a full and detailed overview of their states of fitness and would go “someway to restoring the rural communities’ trust in council.”

Subsequent response

The reporter was thanked for the opportunity and informed there was nothing further from the organisation at this time.