April 24 2024
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Theft of cricket nets turf
Enquiry
The poor folk at the Rotorua Cricket Association have got their hands full with more vandalism at the cricket nets at Boord Park again. It's the fourth time in just over a year some sods have cut through the nets and ripped up the green turf and taken off with it, costing them thousands.
Just wondering if you've had any other reports of the green turf being stolen elsewhere from any other council parks? Or any other general vandalism nuisances at sports fields?
Are there any figures floating around I could nab about what vandalism at council sports facilities costs ratepayers? (Realise this one is a bit different because the cricket nets are the responsibility of the cricket association)
Response
From Group Manager Infrastructure and Environment – Stavros Michael:
Council is not aware of any other reports of turf thefts occurring. In the past we have had some issues with vandalism. Like other councils we have ongoing issues with random vandalism. Sports field vandalism typically involves vehicle damage and we have been working on reducing vehicle access to our reserves.
Note to reporter:Re: your request for figures regarding vandalism at council sports facilities, we do not record that data.
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Media: Newsroom
Topic: Smart Environmental electric vehicle
Enquiry
I'm preparing a sponsored piece on behalf of Hyundai. They wish to profile their customer Smart Environmental which has just bought a new Hyundai Mighty Electric Truck to replace an ageing vehicle in the fleet servicing Rotorua Lakes Council.
I'm as interested in the pressures on councils around emissions reduction as I am in the waste management companies, noting that this year a number of changes are being introduced following the 2023 National Waste Strategy.
1. How important for your council are the national changes to waste minimisation and management? (including recycling food scraps, increasing levies at landfill and waste type data capture).
2. How are these changes impacting council?
3. What does the use of a zero-emissions vehicle in rubbish collection mean to RLC?
4. When does RLC bring out its next Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) and how will it differ from earlier versions?
5. What are your WMMP aspirations when it comes to rubbish collection vehicles?
6. How do you expect lower emissions choices such as these to impact the cost of rates, if at all?
Response
From Craig Goodwin, Manager Waste and Climate Change, Infrastructure & Environmental Solutions:
How important for your council are the national changes to waste minimisation and management? (including recycling food scraps, increasing levies at landfill and waste type data capture).
Waste assessments have indicated an increase in waste being generated in our district and it is unlikely that normalised waste generation (per household or per capita) will decrease significantly under current levels of service. Rotorua Lakes Council is supportive of policy interventions and initiatives which are likely to influence consumer behaviour towards waste minimisation.
Having standardised collection systems and recycling across the country will help improve the quality of the material being recovered.
Diverting foods scraps from landfill to beneficial use (Composting or Anaerobic digestion) is a significant move that will reduce methane emissions from landfill waste. This diversion could mitigate up to 12,000 tonnes of carbon equivalent for Rotorua.
The waste levy serves two valuable purposes:
Developing uniform waste data capture will help decision makers by placing infrastructure such as transport corridors where they best serve the country’s waste recovery network.
We know landfill fee increases are a concern for our community but they are needed when the cost to dispose of waste increases. A user-pays system ensures those creating the waste pay for its disposal, rather than the cost falling on just those who pay rates, and may help encourage people to consider ways they could minimise waste to reduce the need for visits to the landfill.
How are these changes impacting council?
Rotorua Lakes Council is continuously working to improve waste management and minimisation in the district and had already been looking to implement some of the changes that have been implemented nationally. We’ll continue to respond to changing requirements, trends and opportunities.
What does the use of a zero-emissions vehicle in rubbish collection mean to RLC?
Our vision in the current Waste Management and Minimisation Plan is “to empower Rotorua communities to minimise waste generation, and maximise waste diversion and resource recovery, by offering convenient, effective and innovative waste services”. One of the objectives is to reduce greenhouse emissions from waste collection and disposal services. Transition to electric vehicles where possible contributes to achieving this objective.
Alongside our WMMP is our adopted Climate Action Plan and our sustainability goals are considered as part of Council’s procurement processes, signalling to industry that our community values initiatives that mitigate and adapt to climate change challenges.
When does RLC bring out its next Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) and how will it differ from earlier versions?
Councils are required to review WMMPs at least every six years. RLC’s next WMMP will be due in 2028 but evaluation and development will begin by early 2027. Aspirations and actions within that plan will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, Council vision and priorities for the district, waste data and assessment results, national developments, changing trends in waste management and resident feedback.
What are your WMMP aspirations when it comes to rubbish collection vehicles?
The current WMMP does not specifically mention rubbish collection vehicles but transition to electric vehicles where possible contributes to work towards reducing greenhouse emissions from waste collection and disposal services. Our Climate Action Plan has aspirations to move our fleet of vehicles and those of the services it procures towards low emission vehicles.
How do you expect lower emissions choices such as these to impact the cost of rates, if at all?
These vehicles have a higher initial outlay but reduced running costs – which will be factored in to the rubbish collection contract.
We’re not able to predict any impact on future rates.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Aquatic Centre
Enquiry
Was wondering when the aquatic centre was set to open up again fully and if there was going to be any event to mark the occasion?
Response
The reporter was told Council will have something to announce next week.
