8 March 2023
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Pensioner flat tenant complaint
Enquiry
I was speaking with a [tenant's name] from 15 Kahikatea St in Glenholme, which is a council property.
He said there was a leak in the wall in the kitchen on Jan 13, which was fixed by a plumber that day, but since then there has been a hole in the wall and ceiling. He said he has tried asking council to get it fixed but has been told there are no carpenters available to do so. He said: “They expect you to keep the house tidy and then they leave it in a mess like that.” And, "I’m pissed off.”
His main concern is his health, being susceptible to pneumonia. He said there is a draft coming in and worries with it getting colder this will impact. He said he went to the doctor recently and was given a note from them, which he gave to council, explaining the implication the hole would have for him.
[Tenant] believes council, as his landlord, has a responsibility to fix the issue.
Can I please have a response to the above and to the following questions:
- How many times has Colin Hohepa contacted council to ask for the wall to be fixed?
- What is the cause of the delay in getting it fixed?
- Does council have any rules it needs to follow in getting repairs on its properties sorted?
- Has it followed those in this case?
- How many houses does council own and maintain as occupied properties?
- How many of its residential properties have repairs pending and what is the longest length of time a resident has been waiting for this to be complete and why.
- Did it receive the letter from Hohepa's doctor outlining the impact it would have on his health?
- Will council act to fix the issue given the potential health impact? Will it be prioritised? (If yes or no, why)
Response
Fromorganisational enablement Thomas Colle:
Rotorua Lakes Council takes its responsibilities as a landlord very seriously and we try to resolve any issues as soon as possible.
It has taken longer than we would have liked to secure our usual contractors for the repairs in [tenant's] unit but we have let him know today that we’ve now had a response from someone who is able to do it this week.
Council was notified of the water leak on February 6 and it was fixed that day. [Tenant] was told the area around it needed at least two weeks to fully dry before the hole could be repaired. Staff checked on the progress of that several times but did not detect any draft.
[Tenant] and a family member contacted council a handful of times.
The doctor’s letter was received by us yesterday.
Council owns and manages 152 pensioner flats. 20 are currently empty, awaiting refurbishment.
With so many units there are always repair jobs to be done and we prioritise these and work through them as quickly as possible.
[Further info would require manual record checking that would take substantial time so we don’t have that for you sorry.]
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: February building consents
Enquiry
Can I please have the building consents for February? I have drafted some questions below:
- What was the number of commercial consents issued in February?
- What was the value of commercial consents issued in February?
- What was the number of residential consents issued in February?
- What was the value of residential consents issued in February?
What were the top five commercial consents in terms of value issued in February? Please include the address, the value, and what it was for.
Response
We provided the following information:
CONSTRUCT NEW PLUNKET BUILDING | 1436 PUKUATUA STREET | $984,000 | |
CONSTRUCT SELF-SERVE FUEL STATION | 49 FAIRY SPRINGS ROAD | $750,000 | |
STAGE 1 - FOUNDATIONS FOR TRIMMER BUILDING | 191 WAIPA STATE MILL ROAD | $600,000 | |
NEW DAIRY PARLOUR | 230 TE KOPIA ROAD | $485,000 | |
ROOF ALTERATIONS TO BLOCKS C, D, F | 30 BELL ROAD | $200,000 |
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Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Global Recycling Day
Enquiry
I saw there's an event coming up for Global Recycling Day and wondered if I could get a few comments from an appropriate spokesperson to the below couple of questions?
- What sorts of activities will the local Global Recycling Day event include?
- Why was it decided to bring this free event to the community at the centre? Why is important to raise awareness of recycling and waste reduction?
- What are some reminders or tips you would give to people around recycling?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
Response
From Meghan Cooper, Waste Minimisation Officer:
What sorts of activities will the local Global Recycling Day event include?
This Global Recycling Day event is being facilitated by Council’s Environmental Health Performance – Waste and Climate Change team, Smart Environmental and Para Kore.
The free event will include an information seminar on waste reduction challenges and opportunities, recycling truck demonstration, guided tour of the facility and processes in Rotorua, recycling contamination education, composting information, recycling inspired arts and crafts activities, and a free sausage sizzle.
Why was it decided to bring this free event to the community at the centre? Why is important to raise awareness of recycling and waste reduction?
While recycling’s not a standalone solution to waste, it is one important process we can do, to keep useable materials in circulation and prevent them from going to landfill – but we need to do it right. Contamination in our kerbside recycling bins impacts negatively on the effectiveness and value of our recycling and we need to improve on this. We know it can be hard to work out which materials are recyclable with different labelling and packaging claims. The Global Recycling Day initiative provides a great opportunity for our community to come and explore the centre and processes more closely, ask any questions and have a bit of fun.
What are some reminders or tips you would give to people around recycling?
It’s really important that all material is empty and thoroughly cleaned before being placed in the fortnightly mixed and glass recycling bins. Materials which can be recycled kerbside in Rotorua include (detailed list here):
Paper and cardboard
Aluminium and tin cans
Plastics numbered 1, 2 and 5.
Glass bottles and jars must be in the blue crates. Glass cannot be mixed with other materials in the yellow lid mixed bins, as broken glass threads into other items and creates a risk in processing and use.
Is there anything you would like to add?
This free event is family-friendly but please email recycling@rotorualc.nz or phone 07 348 4199 if you would like to attend the seminar part of the day as seating space is limited (for this session only), otherwise head down to the Recycling Centre on Te Ngae Road, across the road from Countdown, any time between 11am and 2pm. Everyone is welcome but please note the Centre will still be operational during this time. Closed footwear is recommended when visiting.