16 April 2024

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Rotoiti sewerage scheme

Enquiry

*NOTE: the following request relates to a Long-term Plan information session held at Rotoiti last night

I was just wanting to provide an opportunity for Stavros to give any comment in relation to the meeting last night. Given it was quite fractured I wanted to ask if he would like to respond to the claims of project mismanagement, incompetence, claims the cost of the project not reflected by use of the systems instead of grinder pumps and inflation, if issues during installation contributed to the cost, claims of lies and being misled, as well as the call for an Ombudsman investigation into the scheme.

I already have written the 2017 cost was based on the 2014 proposal, the issue of the resource consent hearings was that a scheme based on grinder pumps was not acceptable and was therefore issued for a treatment plant and for each property to have its own system - Rotomā properties a Septic Tank Effluent Pumping system and Rotoiti a Biolytix system, Covid-19 and high lake levels impacted project timelines and the combination of inflation and the systems used instead of grinder pumps that resulted in the new project cost.

“I don’t think we gave you a fixed price for anything.”

Consultation on the plan asked for feedback on the council contribution. “What do you think, should there be more? That is what consultation is for.”

Response

From Rotorua Lakes Council Group Manager Infrastructure and Environment – Stavros Michael:

Sewerage reticulation projects are challenging and complicated and we acknowledge the community’s concerns regarding cost.

Cost changes were communicated as best as we could while we also sought additional Crown funding and the Draft Long-term Plan aims to compress final costs as much as possible.

Council’s funding policy requires that communities that benefit from these schemes carry the net cost, minus any external funding, under a capital targeted rate. Initial estimates are provided but the final cost is not known until completion.

This project has complied with the regulatory framework set by resource consent conditions and we have endeavoured to satisfy technical requirements as well as Cultural Management Plan objectives and the terms of mana whenua land agreements. All parts of the project have been tendered and awarded through open competitive tenders with contracts approved by Council.

A number of factors caused delays including COVID and its impact on supply chains and 2022/23 weather events that caused high lake levels and required extensive dewatering.

We encourage people to take the opportunity through the Long-term Plan consultation process to share their views so these can be taken into consideration when elected members make their final decisions. People can find out how to give feedback by going to www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/LTP

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Victoria Street development resource consent

Enquiry

I'm just checking back in on this one to see if a resource consent application has been lodged yet by the developers or Kainga Ora for the Victoria St site.

Response

We provided the following information:

I can confirm a resource consent application (land use and subdivision) has been lodged for the Victoria St site. The application is still going through the processing stage.