Official Information Request - Hemo Gorge sculpture

Sent: Tuesday, 16 February 2021 3:58 pm

Subject: Official Information request - Hemo Gorge sculpture

I refer to your online Official Information request of 15 January 2021 regarding the Hemo Gorge sculpture, and respond below as per your request:

ITEM (1)

Has a qualified engineer with substantial experience in either project management or risk management, deemed both the sculpture structure and the surrounding complex to be safe, overall? And if so, who was that engineer, when did they form that opinion, and on what grounds did they form it?

If there's more than one such engineer, you're welcome to provide more than one opinion, however, precedence should be given to the more recent opinion(s).

Note that I would like a copy of a letter or report from the engineer(s), to confirm the opinion(s), above. Also, note that I specifically chose the words "Safe Overall". In order for the letter or report to be sufficient for answering my questions, it would need to contain the words "Safe Overall", or something to that effect.

Terms such as "Tested", "Complied", "Designed", "Modelled", "Simulated" and "Analyzed", are not equivalent to the term "Safe". Likewise, saying that part of it is safe, is not equivalent to saying that all of it is safe.

The sculpture complies with the New Zealand Building Code and is constructed to Important Level 2 (IL2) standard. Attached are:

• • Letter from WSP dated 20 January 2021 regarding the foundations
  • Letter from WSP dated 28 January 2021 regarding change from IL1 to IL2
  • Letter from Gurit regarding compliance with Building Code Clause B2 – Durability
  • Structural Peer Review Report from Manktelow Consulting Engineers regarding issue of Certificate of Acceptance in terms of compliance with the New Zealand Building Code Clause B1 - Structure
  • Certificate of Acceptance issued 15 February 2021

The surrounding complex as referred to in your terminology is the responsibility of NZTA.

ITEM (2) - SUBJECT TO ETHICAL REQUIREMENTS

Of the RLC's executive staff:

(a) How many executive staff currently believe that the entire sculpture complex is safe?

(b) How many executive staff currently believe that the entire sculpture complex is fit for purpose?

(c) How many executive staff currently believe that the entire sculpture complex is a good investment of money?

I'm wanting tallies, with three results in the form, n_k out of N.

e.g. (a) 0 out of 9 believe that it's safe, (b) 1 out of 9 believe that it's fit for purpose, and (c) 9 out of 9 believe that it's a good investment.

I want someone to ask each of the executive employees three questions corresponding to the questions above, and then tally up the results.

The term "Currently", should be interpreted as the point in time, when the staff are asked the questions.

Furthermore, if for any reason the RLC is unable to contact any of its staff, or any of the staff refuse to answer, then their individual responses should be recorded as no (they don't believe that it is safe, etc), for the purpose of the tally.

Item (2) is declined under section 17(e) of the Act 'that the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist or cannot be found'.

ITEM (3)

Are there any intentions or plans to add electric lighting, a gas flame or anything similar, into, or immediately adjacent to, the hot-zone, as defined below in the section on terminology? And if so, what exactly is intended or planned to be added?

Note that this item is not limited to what the RLC is planning to do, subject to some literal interpretation, but rather includes everything that the RLC has knowledge of. In other words, your response should reflect more of what is happening (or will happen), and less of who is doing it (or will do it).

Low voltage LED lighting has been installed in the sculpture hot-zone.

ITEM (4)

Are there any impurities or additives in the 3d-printed plastic components, that could constitute an ecohazard if they got into Rotorua's soil or waterways? And if so, what are they?

Council does not hold this information. Kilwell were responsibility for the 3d-printed plastic components.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this response. Complaints can be sent by email to info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, by fax to (04) 471 2254, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters' personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.

Regards