12 July 2024
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Sale of surplus council-owned land on Clayton Road
Enquiry
*NOTE: this was a follow-up from an initial enquiry and article regarding the sale of surplus council-owned land on Clayton Rd
Just sending this bit for [poss RLC response if wished], though have included the note from the 2022 agenda:
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, owned multiple properties in the immediate vicinity.
The first time she was aware of any plans was when she saw geotechnical work happening and when the developers came around, she said. If she knew the reserve might change when she bought the properties, she said her plans for them might have changed.
The agenda for the 2022 meeting reported community consultation would have been done in 1984 as part of the revocation process. As the land was freehold and not reserve, there was no further requirement for the council to consult on the land’s disposal.
Can I please ask:
The agenda also noted an application to subdivide the land into five lots was granted in 2020.
Who submitted the application/on behalf of who?
Why did this not progress?
When was the section valued, most recent to the sale? Who by?
Response
We provided the following additional information:
Who submitted the application/on behalf of who?
Rotorua Lakes Council on behalf of Rotorua Lakes Council (landowner).
Why did this not progress?
From the Committee Report here (page 69):
The original intention in seeking to subdivide the land was to dispose of the five lots individually. However with the medium density residential standards being introduced in August, disposing of all five lots to one purchaser/developer will achieve a better development outcome. In particular it would ensure that the land can be developed comprehensively using best practice urban design principles.
When was the section valued, most recent to the sale? Who by?
A land valuation of the five individual lots was undertaken by Telfer Young in February 2022 to a total of $1,370,000.
It was noted at the time of Council decision (refer to the Committee report page 70) that there was a risk that seeking to sell all five individuals lots to one purchaser/developer that the purchase price will come in under market valuation.
Council approved the decision, noting this risk, and the price settled on was proposed by the purchaser through their Expression of Interest.
As part of the Expression of Interest process a further valuation on the individual land lot at 283 Clayton Road was commissioned in July 2023 with Telfer Young. The Market Value provided through that process was $750,000 which is what the actual sale price is based on.
*We also provided a link to the Property Disposal Policy
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: NZTA 'bike library' pilot at Kāinga Ora complex
Enquiry (to RLC organisation)
I'm doing a follow-up to the bike library story and was wanting to get some council response today please.
Tracey McLeod has said the following [in a Facebook post]:
What does the term "free ride" mean?
noun. 1 - a benefit obtained at another's expense or without the usual cost or effort.
Never mind that Kainga Ora used $110,000 of taxpayer's money for a trial on 4 E bikes and 11 push bikes for tenants during the last 8 months at the Kainga Ora development on the corner of Malfroy Road & Ranolf Street in Rotorua.
BUT, why did Rotorua Lakes Council contribute $17,391 to a temporary cage to house the bikes during the trial?
Rotorua MP Todd McClay said it was a huge waste of taxpayer money.
Inappropriate - or was it misappropriation?
What about the ratepayers? More luxury wasteful spending reminiscent of the Chadwick era?
What expense category did it come out of?
Was it the smoke and mirrors budget?
Or, puff the magic dragon, where ratepayer's money disappears in a cloud of smoke?
Council is not a socialist charity, so stop acting like one!
Can I please ask the council for the following information?
Why did the council agree to pay half the $35,000 cost for the cage?
Is the cage officially on a council footpath? If so, was any special permission needed to put it there?
What budget did the money come out of?
Did councillors approve the spending? If so, when?
Do you have any response to Tracy McLeod's criticism above?
Can you please get back to me before 12.30pm today with a response?
I will also be asking mayor Tania Tapsell to comment on the use of the funds from a ratepayers' perspective.
Response
From Russell George, Director Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions:
Council staff successfully sought funding from NZTA’s Transport Choices Package to cover half the cost of the bike cage.
The project fits with Council’s Safe and Sustainable Journeys work to encourage residents to use alternative modes of transport.
The cage is on Kāinga Ora land and now belongs to Kāinga Ora.
Re who approved the spending: This was an operational decision.
Enquiry (for Mayor Tania Tapsell)
Reporter provided the same comments as above from Tracey McLeod and asked the following questions:
Why did the council agree to pay half the $35,000 cost for the cage?
Were you aware? Did you get a chance to vote on the spending?
Do you think this is a good use of ratepayers' money?
Why would the council agree to spend this much money on what is effectively a good bike shed?
Do you think the goals of the pilot are valid?
I have asked the council some questions as well from an operational perspective about how the funding came about but I'd like you to comment as well if possible please.
Response
Mayor Tapsell informed the reporter she was not involved in the decisions related to this project and that the organisation would respond.
