5 Nov 2024: Aquatic Centre, Sir Howard centre cylinder, consents
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Damage at Aquatic Centre and broken cylinder at Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Enquiry
I had a couple of questions relating to [agenda items for] this week's [Infrastructure and Environment Committee] meeting I was hoping someone could please help me with.
Firstly relating to the aquatic centre fittings:
-What specifically was stolen in September and what did this cost?
-has anyone been identified as the thief and has there been any consequence of it, and if so what?
-Any comment as to the impact of these thefts/vandalism?
-Since upgrades were complete what instances of vandalism and theft have there been at the centre and what is the total value?
-Would the mayor like to comment on the issue?
And secondly relating to the sir howard hot water cylinder:
-What caused the cylinder failure?
-What is the cost of the damage and repair and what makes this up?
-How long did it take to repair and what impact did this have on the centre's services?
Response
We provided the following information:
Re what specifically was stolen [from Aquatic Centre] in September and what did this cost?
In September, a contractor was hired for $500.25 to remove graffiti from the men’s toilet walls, doors, and showers. We also had to hire a contractor to repair a shower handrail that was ripped from the wall. The repair cost was $207.
That month, there were three theft incidents: five shower hoses were stolen from the accessibility change rooms; a wash basin with a mixer tap and drain was taken from the family change room; and a shower head was stolen from the men’s outside disability change room. The total cost of these three thefts were $1,957.52.
Total cost for September $2664.77
Re has anyone been identified as the thief and has there been any consequence of it, and if so what? Any comment as to the impact of these thefts/vandalism?
Attribute to a Council Spokesperson:
No one has been identified in relation to any of the incidents. Vandalism and graffiti impact negatively on how a place looks and affect how people feel about it. It’s always disappointing to see public buildings, playgrounds, and other areas damaged or defaced by people who choose to do the wrong thing. Our public spaces are meant for everyone to enjoy, and these sorts of activities ruin this experience for everyone.
Re Since upgrades were complete what instances of vandalism and theft have there been at the centre and what is the total value?
There have been 14 incidents of vandalism (11) and thefts (3) since the upgrades to the Aquatics Centre. The vandalism has included broken shower partitions (both men's and women’s changing rooms, steel pin coat hangers being pulled from walls, door handles being pulled from doors and shower rail brackets torn from walls. The total cost of vandalism and theft since the Aquatics Centre was opened in July is $2964.54.
Re Would the mayor like to comment on the issue?
See response from Mayor’s office
Re What caused the cylinder failure [at Sir Howard Morrison Centre]?
The cylinder failed because of a faulty tempering valve, which is a common consumable part. However, the HWC overflow tray's waste pipe couldn’t handle the leak's flow and caused water to spill into the building.
What is the cost of the damage and repair and what makes this up?
- On-site staff, maintenance onsite clearing surface water
- Plumer to visit the site to isolate and repair $300
- Contractor to remove all skirting boards to allow drying out and dehumidifying $73
How long did it take to repair and what impact did this have on the centre's services?
There were minimal disruptions to the centre’s services, due to the flooding occurring outside of the events calendar and the removed skirting boards were out of the public view. It took between two to three days to complete the repairs.
*Reporter was informed on behalf of Mayor Tapsell that she was happy for the organisation to respond to this enquiry and did not have additional comment.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Building consents
Enquiry
Reporter sought the following information about building consents:
-How many residential consents were issued in 2024? (To date)
-How many commercial consents were issued?
-What was the total value of residential consents issued?
-What was the total value of commercial consents issued?
-What were the top five commercial consents in terms of value issued in 2024? (Please include address, value of consent, and when issued)
-How many commercial consents have been issued for each of the last five years to date?
-Residential?
-What was the total value of commercial consents issued for each of the last three years to date?
-Residential?
-Can I please get some comment as to how these have trended, what's behind that, and the impact it has had on the district. Welcome any comment on impact of individual consents too.
Response
From Group Manager Community and District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
How many residential consents were issued in 2024? (To date)
From October 2023 to September 2024, we issued 677 residential consents.
How many commercial consents were issued?
For the same period, we issued 131 commercial consents
What was the total value of residential consents issued?
For the same period, the total value of residential consents issued was $139,967,479
Note to the reporter: The number of consents issued does not necessarily reflect the amount of housing being built in Rotorua as residential consents can cover fireplaces, sleepouts, garages etc.
What was the total value of commercial consents issued?
For the same period, the total value of commercial consents issued was $49,628,352
What were the top five commercial consents in terms of value issued in 2024? (Please include address, value of consent, and when issued)
Date Issued; May 2024
Value: $11,500,000
Description; CLT timber storage building
Address; State Highway 5 Waipa, Rotorua
Date issued; June 2024
Value: $4,200,000
Description: New accommodation block at Hideaway Lodge
Address: 436 Ngongotaha Road,
Ngogotaha
Date issued: March 2024
Value: $4,000,000
Description: Community centre at Freedom Lifestyle Village
Address: 121 Pukehangi Road,
Rotorua
Date issued: Sept 2024
Value; $3,200,000
Description; New industrial building
Address: 18 Ferguson Place Fairy Springs, Rotorua
Date issued: July 2024
Value; $2,000,000
Description: New Timberlands Nursery facilities including earthworks, site services, utility and staff buildings
Address: 180 Gavin Road, Rerewhakaaitu
How many commercial consents have been issued for each of the last five years to date?
Note to reporter: these reports are done in financial years
This is where you can find the relevant information.
Browse - Infoshare - Statistics New Zealand
How to operate the site: Select Subject Categories | Industry Sectors | Building Consents | Build consents by territorial authority| Chose Rotorua and select other the relevant tick-boxes | Select Go
Residential?
This is where you can find the relevant information
Building | Stats NZ
How to operate the site: Go to latest information releases about building | Building consents issued: August 2024 | Building consents issued | Number of new dwellings consented by territorial authority
What was the total value of commercial consents issued for each of the last three years to date?
As above.
Residential?
As above
Can I please get some comment as to how these have trended, what’s behind that, and the impact it has had on the district. Welcome any comment on impact of individual consents too.
Note to reporter: Council is not the subject matter expert on what or why the figures are trending the way they are. It would be better to seek comment on these figures from the building and business industry. They are the ones on the ground who see and hear what is happening.
Regarding housing numbers in Rotorua, we are happy to give you the following comment and attribute to a Council Spokesperson:
There has been a much-needed increase in housing supply, including new homes and social housing, in recent years, as reflected in increased numbers of building consents the council has processed.
Note to reporter: The figures in questions 1 to 5 will differ from the Stats NZ numbers, as their data includes only dwellings.
