Official Information Request - 5 July 2019

Attachments:

• Student's seating design becomes reality - 20 July 2014
• More seats for Rotoruacity - 8 September 2014
• APPENDIX 2: Commendation from Rotorua Police Area Commander

Response:

Sent: Friday, 5 July 2019 1:20 p.m.

Subject: Official Information request - removal of seating on corner of Pukuatua/Amohia Streets

I refer to your online Official Information request regarding the removal of seating on the corner of Pukuatua and Amohia Streets, specifically:

1. When was the seating on the corner of Pukuatua and Amohia Streets removed?
2. Was there any reason given for the removal of the seating?
3. Is there any plan to reinstall the seating to this location? If so, when is this expected? If not, why not?
4. If the seating was removed as a result of a complaint, comment or otherwise can this please be provided?
5. Any other information relevant to the removal of seating at this location.

Approximately five years ago Council undertook to assess CBD street furniture using CPTED guidelines (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). The large seating clusters were seen to encourage large groups of people to congregate, often accompanied by anti-social behaviour.

Over the years Council has been reconfiguring and removing seating at different locations following the CPTED guidelines. Attached are two media items from 2014 around removal/replacement of seats in the CBD, along with an extract from the Safer Communities Funding 2014-2015 Final Report where the Police provided feedback they had received from the public regarding the seating in the CBD.

In terms of the site you identified, the seating here was removed around the time the temporary library relocated to the corner site. A number of complaints (verbal) were received by Council, Safe City Guardians and library staff that large groups of people congregating around the seating were intimidating library users and that was deterring them from visiting.

There are no plans to reinstate this seating, however Council are happy to discuss new seating at this location with any adjacent owner or occupier.

As per the Act, we are obliged to advise that you may contact the Ombudsman at the address below if you have any concerns with the response provided by Council, by writing to:

The Office of the Ombudsman

PO Box 10 152

WELLINGTON 6143

Alternatively, you may email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or use the online complaints form available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/make-a-complaint.

Regards