7 Aug 2024: geothermal bores, derelict buildings, local election

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Geothermal bores

Enquiry

I have been in discussion with a local bore group convenor, Glenys Ihaka, who has advised about their bore failing in September last year and eventually being sealed off in May. They are now having difficulty getting a new bore drilled.

This group of 15 homes hasn't had access to thermal heating and hot water for nearly a year. Many are elderly and it's costing them an additional $200 a month in power, an expense these pensioners hadn't budgeted for as they had for years had thermal heating and hot water. She says their homes are more expensive or their rents are higher because of the thermal element.

Glenys has given up waiting and just spent $9000 on two heat pumps as they can't stand the cold anymore. Other households don't have that sort of money and are trying to get by.

Glenys has indicated there are other bore groups similar to theirs going through the same thing.

It is her understanding the bores haven't been monitored and properly maintained for a long time. She said last year the council sent someone to review the situation and she has been told many failures have been found, theirs being among the first.

It is her understanding: "Last year they started looking at the bores and finding the work wasn’t up to scratch and there were dangers."

She explained what went wrong in their situation, how a sleeve was put down into the bore to repair a hole but instead of it sitting above the ground, it sat at ground level and eventually moisture and water seeped up and over and back down creating erosion through concrete surrounding the bore.

She said: "That's when you get the weakness because it can explode."

She said she had heard rumours about more bores failing and it was why "so many have gone pop in town".

She said Rotorua Well Drilling had been unable to get a DOWNs to drill bores (including trying 9 times to get a DOWNs for their bore) and it was too expensive to get large out-of-town companies in to do this work, making it unaffordable for residents.

She said she tried to have a meeting earlier this year with the mayor and council CEO about her concerns but was sent a letter "fobbing her off". She said she also tried to call about two weeks ago but was yet to get a response.

• Is the council currently reviewing the bores in Rotorua?
• What does the review involve?
• Why is the review being carried out?
• Can you please explain the council's involvement and the maintenance or checks on the bores it carries out?
• Does the council do this work or is this a council contractor?
• Has the council maintained the bores correctly and safely over the years?
• Have recent ruptures of bores had anything to do with the way the bores have been maintained?
• Is there a danger to the public due to any failings?
• The bore Glenys Ihaka's group is connected to was closed off by the council in September, but it wasn't sealed until eight months later. Is that legal?
• How many bores have the council closed since it started the review last year?
• Does the council still use Rotorua Well Drilling?
• In this week's council meeting in the public excluded section, there is this item: Tender approval for Contract 24-006 Geothermal Bores 2024 Rotorua Lakes Council. Is there anything you can elaborate on regarding this contract?
• Do you have any response to Glenys Ihaka's criticisms above?
• Feel free to add any comments.

Response

From Group Manager Community and District Development – Jean-Paul Gaston:

Is the council currently reviewing the bores in Rotorua?

RLC is not reviewing the bores in Rotorua.

What does the review involve?

Why is the review being carried out?

As above.

Can you please explain the council's involvement and the maintenance or checks on the bores it carries out?

Council does not maintain private bores. Maintenance is the responsibility of bore owners.

There are about 200 private bores in the Rotorua District. RLC’s monitoring is carried out to confirm whether well infrastructure is fit for purpose, and safe. Inspections detect rust and/or any flaws that may present a safety risk.

Council also has a role in relation to bore abandonment and the construction of new wells.

Does the council do this work or is this a council contractor?

Inspections are undertaken by a Geothermal Advisor who is contracted to RLC.

Has the council maintained the bores correctly and safely over the years?

As stated above council does not maintain private bores. Maintenance is the responsibility of bore owners.

Have recent ruptures of bores had anything to do with the way the bores have been maintained?

Specific circumstances relate to each bore.

Is there a danger to the public due to any failings?

All bore failures present potential public safety risks which is why maintenance is so important.

The bore Glenys Ihaka's group is connected to was closed off by the council in September, but it wasn't sealed until eight months later. Is that legal?

Such work should be done as soon as possible but we are aware that there can be delays in finding suitable contractors. Council determined that this particular bore needed to be abandoned for safety reasons. Arranging for contractors to carry out the permanent sealing of the bore is the responsibility of the owners.

How many bores have the council closed since it started the review last year?

As stated above we have not carried out any reviews.

Does the council still use Rotorua Well Drilling?

As above, bore owners are responsible for engaging contractors to do bore work.

In this week's council meeting in the public excluded section, there is this item: Tender approval for Contract 24-006 Geothermal Bores 2024 Rotorua Lakes Council. Is there anything you can elaborate on regarding this contract?

The item you’re referring to is on the agenda for this week’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee and relates to work required on Council’s own bores (not private bores). As it is in confidential we can’t provide more information at this stage.

Do you have any response to Glenys Ihaka's criticisms above?

We have discussed this situation with Glenys Ihaka and provided her with all relevant information.

Closing bores is not taken lightly by RLC and only occurs when there are no other viable options to make a well safe. A bore failure can present significant risk to people and property and we encourage all bore owners to familiarise themselves with their responsibilities under the Geothermal Bylaw.

Additional note:

Rotorua Lakes Council works in a tri-agency agreement with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and WorkSafe. RLC is typically the first party to deal with private bore owners due to our public safety responsibilities.

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Media: Radio NZ

Topic: Derelict buildings

Enquiry

*NOTE: this is a follow-up to yesterday’s enquiry regarding the same matter (derelict buildings)

Reporter said she did not require information she initially sought that we indicated could take some time to compile and might therefore have to be progressed as a LGOIMA request.

She did request further details on the demolition of a Bellingham Cres house.

Response

We provided the following link to a media response provided by RLC last year in response to an enquiry about the Bellingham Cres case which provides additional information, inviting her to use any of the information that was provided at that time by RLC: 6 October 2023 - Rotorua Lakes Council

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Local election candidate information

Enquiry

Reporter asked if RLC could provide the middle name and date of birth for [a previous local election candidate].

Response

We informed the reporter we were unable to provide those details as information provided by candidates can only be released for election purposes during the election period for the relevant year.