6 June 2025: EEC hydrogen sulphide, sports field vandalism
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Hydrogen sulphide levels at EEC
Enquiry
I saw in the [Infrastructure & Environment Committee] agenda H2S rose in sales and finance offices at EEC at the end of April.
I had a couple of questions I was hoping someone can please help me with.
- Please provide an overview as to the situation
- How was the rise of H2S identified?
- Was anyone impacted by it and how so?
- What level was it recorded at in ppm at that time? And now?
- What level at its peak?
- Has Worksafe been advised? What is the threshold for needing to do so? WorkSafe's website says the following: Hydrogen sulphide can paralyse a person’s breathing system and kill in minutes. Even in small amounts, it can be dangerous to health.
- What is deemed an unsafe level?
- At what level will the offices be usable again?
- What measures are in place for monitoring levels and managing them?
- Have investigations been completed and what have they found? What has been implemented?
If I can please have a response by 3pm, thank you.
The reporter also contacted Worksafe for a comment:
I was reading a Rotorua council agenda the other day and came across an item on how offices in the Energy Events Centre were closed for unsafe levels of H2S.
I have asked the council if they notified Worksafe but I have not yet heard back. I also asked how the rise in levels was
Can I please ask whether the council notified WorkSafe about unsafe levels of H2S in its building?
If it has, what are the details and is WorkSafe investigating? What specifically?
What is the threshold for notifying WorkSafe on such a situation?
At what level of H2S makes a workplace unsafe?
Response
From a Council spokesperson:
A staff member detected and reported an unusual odour in an office and promptly reported it. Following this, a facilities manager used a calibrated gas monitor to investigate, finding an initial H2S reading of 30.6 ppm near the staff member’s desk. Subsequent tests showed levels fluctuating between 0-5 ppm, well below the serious harm threshold of 250-500 ppm. This incident does not meet the criteria for reporting to WorkSafe, as it was addressed promptly upon reporting by staff. While recent tests have shown safe levels and as a precaution, the office will remain closed until the potential cause has been identified. Daily monitoring of the building occurs, with additional checks by the Property Team using gas monitors on a regular basis. Investigations are continuing to identify the possible source of the initial elevated reading.
Here is the information WorkSafe gave to the reporter:
- WorkSafe has not been notified at this stage.
- As to what is the threshold for notifying, here’s our info on that: What events need to be notified? | WorkSafe
Also this from our website in case you didn’t find it yet: Preventing harm from hydrogen sulphide | WorkSafe
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Media: RNZ - The Panel
Topic: Sports field vandalism
Enquiry
Interview requested based on the following story:
Rotorua Lakes Council says sports field vandalism is rising, rugby club seeks suspects
Response
Group Manager – Community Experience has accepted the interview and this will take place this evening at 6.40pm.
This will either be recorded live or may be aired on Monday evening.
