1 April 2025: Fordlands restoration, abatement notice

Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)

Topic: Fordlands restoration project

Enquiry

From NZME (BOP Times and Rotorua Daily Post):

I am working on a story about the Fordlands Community Centre-led Hutia te Rito restoration project, which involves employing locals to plant natives on the bank of a section of Utahina Stream from behind the skatepark to Harold Cres.

I understand from the community centre that the project is in collaboration with RLC, BOPRC and Work and Income, and has been four years in the making. It's a six-month project and is currently about five weeks in.

Could you please describe the council's role in this project and how much it is providing in funding and/or plants.

Please can you also comment on why it decided to get involved and what benefits you see it having.

Response

From Group Manager Community Experience Alex Wilson:

We are pleased to be partners of the Hutia te Rito restoration project which is a collaboration between the Fordlands Community Centre, Rotorua Lakes Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Ministry of Social Development which aims to enhance our local environment.

Council provides access to reserve land for trainees to gain training and skills in various activities such as tree work, planting and vegetation control, and we work closely with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to develop the trainee work plan. Trainees involved in the project gain valuable skills that could lead to employment opportunities while contributing to the creation of an attractive community space. We’ve received positive feedback from the community, which has been instrumental in inspiring enthusiasm among the trainees.

It’s fantastic to work with an enthusiastic community that is keen to contribute to beautifying their spaces for their neighbourhood to enjoy.

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Abatement notice

Enquiry

I'm writing today about the Rotorua Lakes Council issuing an abatement notice to the Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust for delivering the department of corrections contracted Pūwhakamua reintegration facility services without consent, and therefore unlawfully.

Can the council please provide a summary line as to why the abatement notice was issued?

What, if any, response has the council received from the trust and/or corrections to the notice? Eg an appeal or application for a stay from an Environment Court judge?
Since the notice has the trust complied with the directions set and how so/not?

If the council has received an application for a resource consent what are the details and what is the process?

Why did it take the council ten months from when it received concerns from neighbours to conduct a site inspection?

Subsequently from reporter:

I understand the abatement notice may have since been withdrawn, can the council explain what happened and why, thank you

Response

From Group Manager Destination Development Jean-Paul Gaston:

We are currently investigating the matter you mentioned, and until this investigation is complete, we are unable to provide any further comments on the issue of consent. I can link you to the abatement notice as it was subject to a LGOIMA click here for this information.