9 May 2024
Media: The Listener
Topic: CAB funding
Enquiry
I am writing an article for The Listener on local government funding for CABx across NZ , along with other aspects of the service this organisation provides to the wider community.
I see that under your LTP out for consultation, there is a proposed reduction in the funding Rotorua Lakes Council currently award their community partners.
As you will no doubt be aware the Rotorua CAB is one of the busiest in the country. I understand they attend to around 1000 on site enquiries a month.
You will also be aware that RLC directs residents to the CAB to get answers to local government matters, as do other councils.
I’d be interested in any comments either the Mayor or other councillors might like to make in terms of the likely impact such a reduction in council support might have on the services of the Rotorua CAB?
I do have a deadline for this article. I aim to submit it by the 10th May.
Response
From Rotorua Mayor, Tania Tapsell:
“We know many people in our community are struggling with the cost of living right now so through our draft Long-term Plan we have outlined our proposals to try and keep rates as affordable as possible while ensuring we’re still delivering our essential services well and delivering what’s important to our community.
“One of these proposals is to revise our community funding scheme which would result in a reduction of available funding, from $435,000 to $295,000 per year. We have also updated funding priorities to better reflect the needs of our community and our key outcome areas, such as ‘safety’, ‘environment’, and ‘connected and resilient’ to name a few. We’re still out for consultation on this and will be carefully considering all feedback from our community before making any final decisions.
“There is no doubt that the Rotorua Citizens Advice Bureau provides exceptional value to our community and their services are greatly appreciated by our community and Council. Partnership Agreements, which is what we have with the Citizens Advice Bureau, are allocated every three years. The application process for Partnership Agreements will open in the next couple of months and if the Citizens Advice Bureau reapply, their application would be considered then.”
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: dogs in pound
Enquiry
I am writing a story on how busy animal rescues and the SPCA are, and how the cost of living has affected people's ability to care and look after their pets.
There are reports people are living in their cars with pets or getting them put down if they can't find any pet-friendly rentals.
One animal group is calling for mandatory desexing on all dogs unless they belong to breeders. I have some questions and my deadline is 3 pm tomorrow.
Thanks
How many dogs are registered in Rotorua at the moment compared to the last registration period?
How many do you estimate are unregistered?
What is the latest comparative data you have on the number of animals ending up in the pound and is that increasing or decreasing and why?
How easy is it to rehome animals from the pound and percentage-wise on average how many are put down compared to how many are rehomed?
In regards to call-outs, concerns raised to the council about animals is that increasing or decreasing and why?
Have queries from pet owners who can no longer look after their pets and want to put them in the pound for rehoming increased and can the council take and rehome animals?
In your view has the cost of living and rental crisis had an impact and are more dogs getting dumped and roaming?
Should it be mandatory to desex dogs unless they below to breeders and why or why not?
What is your advice to people who want a pet?
Follow up questions:
How many dogs/puppies are in the pound at the moment and is it at capacity and how much is capacity?
How did these dogs/puppies come to be in the pound - where they dumped etc, can I have some examples of why they are there?
Can they be re-homed, can people adopt them or will they be put down and why?
In the year ending June 30, 2023 the pound team found homes for about 80 dogs - so how many dogs in the year to June 2023 were in the pound and how many were euthanised and how many were returned to their owners?
How many dogs for the year to date have been in the pound, how many euthanised and how many were returned to their owners?
Can we also send a photographer to get a photo of the puppies/dogs who are looking to be rehomed?
Response
The reporter was sent a link to the Animal Control report 2023 for initial questions
Animal Control report 2023 – https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/repository/libraries/id:2e3idno3317q9sihrv36/hierarchy/our-services/animal-control/Section%2010A%20Annual%20Dog%20Control%20Report%20for%20year%20ended%2030%20June%202023.pdf
For the follow up questions we politely declined the request asking to send their photographer to the pound and the following response was supplied.
From Group Manager Community and District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
In response to how many dogs are unregistered.
Council’s Animal Control team continues to work with dog owners after 1139 infringement reminder notices were served in early April for failure to register their dogs. Any infringements that remained unpaid at 1 May 2024 will be processed via the Rotorua District Court.
*NOTE TO REPORTER: you can see the article on this at Rotorua Daily Post’s website here
What is the latest comparative data you have on the number of animals ending up in the pound and is that increasing or decreasing and why?
Anecdotally, Council’s Animal Control team has seen an increase in dogs being surrendered to the pound, picked up roaming or seized for an offence. There are many reasons behind the increase but the cost of living pressure on our community is certainly a contributing factor.
When a dog arrives, our staff assess the dog to see if it is suitable for rehoming. The dog is assessed on behavioural and physical traits, including whether it is aggressive, menacing, or has a known tendency to roam, as well as what state of health it’s in.
If a dog is suitable for rehoming, a collaborative effort is made to find it a home. Last year the team found homes for about 80 dogs. Currently we have rehomed 26 dogs. Euthanising a dog is the very last resort. We try to rehome as many as possible and we have generous whānau in Rotorua that take on dogs when they can. Council also work with local pet stores to advertise dogs up for rehoming and we work closely with local rescue organisations who do amazing work, but even they are having to make tough calls with the influx of animals. These decisions take a significant emotional toll on our staff. Sadly, our team had to make the call to euthanise 423dogs this year.
With dog ownership comes big responsibilities. All dogs, especially puppies, need nutritious food, a great place to sleep, a well-fenced section and plenty of love and attention. It is a huge investment in time and money and with the socioeconomic conditions New Zealand is currently facing, some whānau may find it tough.
Information you were seeking
Currently we are at maximum capacity, the pound has 67 kennels to hold dogs. I don’t have the exact number of dogs in the pound at-this-point in time
Currently there are seven puppies at the pound.
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Media: OneRoof (NZME)
Topic: Proposed rating of short-term accommodation
Enquiry
I am writing a story about how real estate agents and property management firms have seen an increase in the number of property owners requesting sales appraisals and rental appraisals due to the council's LTP proposal to commercially rate those who own short-term accommodation.
I just wanted to give the council the chance to respond to this.
Do you think these property owners are jumping the gun?
Has the council considered what impacts the new proposal could have on the property market and how many short-term lets it could lose as a result?
Response
Rotorua Lakes Council Chief Financial Officer and Group Manager Corporate Services Thomas Collé:
The proposed rating change relating to short-term rental accommodation is a proposal at this stage and will be deliberated on by elected members as part of decision-making on the 2024-34 Long-term Plan. There are still a couple of days left for people to provide feedback and we would encourage people to do so. They’ll find information including ways to give feedback at www.rotorualakescounci.nz/LTP
Nikki, you may also wish to check out the information at the above link for your knowledge and understanding and you’re also welcome to use any of the information we’ve provided to media already regarding this proposal, you’ll find that at the following links:
2 May 2024 - Rotorua Lakes Council
