11 March 2024

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Wasp nest on vacant section

Enquiry

Following on from Friday’s enquiries relating to concerns about a wasp nest on a vacant section in Ngongotaha, on Friday evening the reporter came back to us saying she had heard from Mrs Coutts who said she had heard from RLC staff who told her council would deal with the issue.

The reporter asked for confirmation and details.

Response:

We provided the following information:

Staff will be inspecting the site on Monday with Mrs Coutts and will then determine the appropriate course of action.

We also today confirmed with the reporter that information from the regulatory team, which is investigating what the council may be able to do, was relayed to Mr Coutts on 1 March, the same day as Mrs Coutts called the council.

This followed a subsequent enquiry from the reporter who said Mrs Coutts said no information from the regulatory team had been passed on to her or Mr Coutts.

On 12 March we sent the reporter the following update:

Rotorua Lakes Council staff have inspected the site with Mrs Coutts and have confirmed the presence of a “nuisance” under the Health Act. A date to resolve the issue is being arranged with a pest control company.