Official Information Request - reserve revocation voting

COUNCIL – 27 MAY 2021

Originally considered during the confidential session of the meeting as per item 4.1 of the minutes:

4.0 URGENT ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

4.1 TEMPORARY HOUSING OPTIONS UNDER INVESTIGATION (Confidential Item)

a) The reason the item was not on the agenda was because it missed the distribution deadline.

b) The reason why the discussion cannot be delayed is to allow the Chief Executive to understand Council’s stand on this matter so this can be clearly articulated to the Minister.

c) The reason for this to be in confidential is due to an obligation of confidence and to protect the public interest.

Resolved

"That the matter of "Temporary Housing options under investigation" be dealt within the confidential session of this meeting

Moved: Cr Maxwell

Seconded: Cr Donaldson

CARRIED

Cr Macpherson requested that his vote against this decision be recorded.

Reserves item

11.1 TEMPORARY HOUSING OPTIONS UNDER INVESTIGATION

RECOMMENDATION

1. That the report ‘Temporary Housing Options under Investigation’ be received. (Distributed as a separate document – RDC 1134667)

Moved: Cr Tapsell

Seconded: Cr Yates

CARRIED

During discussions, Cr Macpherson requested information about the social systems that may be established at these sites and is there a concept or model in mind, referring to the people as similar to refugee status.

Cr Raukawa-Tait raised a point of order stating that these people are tangata whenua they are not refugees.

Cr Macpherson claims he was drawing attention to the social system requirements to manage their needs.

The Mayor advised that these details are not before the Council today.

Cr Macpherson continued with his next questions.

2. That the Council notes the acute housing and temporary housing crisis adversely affecting the city and our community.

3. That the Council supports in principle, the use of Council reserve lands for temporary housing.

4. That the Council note a report including further information and options will be presented in due course.

5. That this report not be made publicly available. (Note: Report released on 26 May 2022)

6. That the minutes relating to this item be made publicly available when a formal decision has been reached. (Note: Minutes released at Council meeting on 26 May 2022)

Moved: Cr Donaldson

Seconded: Cr Maxwell

CARRIED

STRATEGY POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE – 14 OCTOBER 2021

Originally considered during the confidential session of the meeting as per the below section of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act:

MINUTES

11.1 Guidance on Land Disposal (RDC-1188072 )

Resolved:

• That the report titled ‘Guidance on Land Disposal’ be received.

Moved: Mayor Chadwick

Seconded: Cr Donaldson

J-P Gaston and Stephanie Kelly overviewed the report and spoke to a presentation titled “Guidance on Land Disposal”. (Attachment 4)

Further Resolved:

2. That the Committee notes the acute housing shortage adversely affecting the city and our community.

3. That the Committee notes the list of reserves under consideration.

4. That the Committee recommends to Council, that they support in principle the revocation and disposal of the listed reserve land for housing (subject to further assessment).

5. That the Committee notes a report will be presented by March 2022 including further information on each reserve and the preferred legal mechanism for revocation and disposal.

6. That this report not be made publicly available. (Note: Report released on 26 May 2022)

• That the minutes relating to this item be made publicly available when a formal decision has been reached. Noting that any subsequent decisions on whether to proceed with the revocation of any sites will require public consultation. (Note: Minutes released at Council meeting on 26 May 2022)

Moved: Cr Kai Fong

Seconded: Cr Donaldson

CARRIED

COUNCIL – 28 OCTOBER 2021

Originally considered during the confidential session of the meeting as per the below section of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act:

MINUTES

• That the following recommendations of the Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee meeting held 14 October 2021 be adopted:

RECOMMENDATION 1

GUIDANCE ON LAND DISPOSAL (RDC-1188072)

1. That Council support in principle the revocation and disposal of the listed reserve land for housing - Attachment 1 - (subject to further assessment).

2. That the minutes relating to this item be made publicly available when a formal decision has been reached. Noting that any subsequent decisions on whether to proceed with the revocation of any sites will require a public consultation process. (Note: Report released on 26 May 2022)

Moved: Cr Kumar

Seconded: Cr Kai Fong

CARRIED

STRATEGY POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE – 12 MAY 2022

6.3 PROPOSAL FOR THE REVOCATION AND DISPOSAL OF IDENTIFIED RESERVES FOR HOUSING (RDC-1252717)

Resolved:

1. That the report titled “Proposal for the revocation and disposal of identified reserves for housing” be received.

Moved: Mrs Trumper

Seconded: Cr Yates

CARRIED

J-P Gaston and Stephanie Kelly overviewed the report and spoke to a presentation titled “Proposed revocation and disposal of reserve land” (Attachment 1).

Further resolved:

2. That the Committee notes that the reserves or part reserves for possible revocation and disposal have been identified using the levels of service identified in the Council’s approved Open Spaces Level of Service Policy and the following criteria:

• There is excess reserve provision in the area;
• There is no clear purpose for or function of the reserve;
• The size of reserve significantly exceeds the minimum size identified in the Open Spaces Level of Service Policy and could be reduced without compromising recreation or open space values;
• The provision of housing on part of the reserve would improve the safety and use of the reserve;
• There are no viable options to improve the reserve to meet level of service standard.

3. That the Committee notes the significant housing deficit that exists in the Rotorua urban area (identified in the Housing and Business Capacity Assessment (HBA)), the below average number of transitional and public homes available in Rotorua and significant emergency housing problems.

4. That the Committee recommends to Council that consultation with neighbours of all reserves proposed and the wider community be undertaken through the distribution of a Statement of Proposal (SOP) document inviting written feedback, for a period of 4 weeks, on the proposals detailed below. That the feedback be used to inform Council’s decisions on:

• Whether or not to proceed with the revocation and disposal of any reserve or part reserve
• The legal method for revocation and disposal (i.e. Local Bill or existing Reserves Act process);
• The reserves to be developed or enhanced with funds received from the proceeds of the disposal;
• Any conditions to be applied to housing development by the purchaser.

5. That the Committee recommends to Council that the following reserves (two full reserves and eight parts of reserves) be proposed for revocation and disposal in the Statement of Proposal:

• Lee Road Reserve
• Coulter Road Reserve (part only)
• High Street Reserve (part only)
• Glenholme Reserve - 117 Clinkard Avenue (part only)
• Gallagher Street Reserve
• Linton Park West – 16 Kamahi Road (part only)
• Wrigley Road Reserve (part only)
• Turner Drive Reserve (part only)
• Park Road Reserve (part only)
• Steeles Lane Reserve (part only)

6. That the Committee recommends to Council that the Statement of Proposal identify in-principle the preferred legal method for revocation and disposal of reserves be through a Local Bill and notes that all proceeds of land sales will be re-invested in improvements to existing reserves or the purchase of new reserves.

7. That the Committee recommends to Council that it includes within the Statement of Proposal, that it supports in-principle, a direct sale to Kāinga Ora of the following reserves (or parts of Reserves):

• Lee Road Reserve
• Coulter Road Reserve (part only)
• High Street Reserve (part only)
• Glenholme Reserve - 117 Clinkard Avenue (part only)
• Turner Drive Reserve (part only)
• Steeles Lane Reserve (part only)
  And that the sale of those reserves to Kāinga Ora be conditional on:
  a. Kāinga Ora and Council reaching agreement on the value of the identified sites; and
  b. Kāinga Ora committing to providing mixed model housing developments that includes a mix of social housing and progressive home ownership models and market sale; and
  c. Kāinga Ora committing to delivering housing on the identified sites within two years.

8. That the Committee recommends to Council that remaining identified reserves (or parts of reserves) be sold via market sale or directly to a community housing provider where appropriate, conditional on the purchaser committing to delivering housing within two years.

Attendance: - Mr Thomass left the meeting at 10.58am.

Moved: Mayor Chadwick

Seconded: Cr Donaldson

CARRIED

• Cr Kai Fong and Cr Tapsell requested their opposition only to recommendation number seven (7) of the motion be recorded.
• Cr Kumar and Mr Biasiny-Tule requested their vote against the motion be recorded