22 March 2023
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Council job opportunities
Enquiry
I am doing a story on jobs and opportunities and I was wondering how RLC was faring with the current skills shortage.
How many job vacancies does RLC have at the moment and what is an example of some of these jobs?
Has RLC been affected by the skills shortage and in what way and how has this impacted?
What are some of the positions that are hardest to fill and why?
What vacancy is the longest standing at RLC and why?
What are some of the incentives to work at RLC and why is it a good workplace?
And what are the approximate pay bands from lowest to highest?
Response
From DCE Organisational Enablement Thomas Collé:
How many job vacancies does RLC have at the moment and what types of jobs?
Rotorua Lakes Council currently has 67 vacancies including permanent full-time, permanent part-time and fixed term roles. The vacancies include consent and policy planners, engineers, accountants, administrators, Safe City Guardians and IT roles. We are in the process of filling 8 of these vacancies.
Has RLC been affected by the skills shortage and in what way and how has this impacted?
The tight labour market has resulted in fewer applicants for roles and Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) requirements limit our ability to hire from overseas due to the conditions migrants need to meet.
We may miss out on candidates who have had counter offers from current employers or have had more than one job offer to consider and Council can’t always compete with candidates’ pay expectations.
Working remotely has also changed the landscape and we are not always able to accommodate candidates’ wishes to work from home regularly or permanently.
Not being able to fill vacancies can impact service delivery as we have fewer staff to carry out the work and that can cause delays, or additional cost if we need to get the work done via consultants.
What are some of the positions that are hardest to fill and why?
Consenting/planning, engineering and IT roles are extremely hard to fill as these roles are in high demand, not only across councils but also in the private sector.
What vacancy is the longest standing and why?
Team Lead, Policy Planning – this is a very specialised role and there is a high level of demand for these types of roles.
What are some of incentives to work at RLC and why is it a good workplace?
Council is all about the community and this is a key driver for why most of our staff want to work here. They are passionate about working for and making a difference in the community.
Council offers competitive employment terms and conditions, flexible working conditions, learning and development opportunities, access to discounts from local businesses, an active social club, free annual flu vaccinations and eye tests and free admission for the Aquatic Centre.
Staff wellbeing is a priority and our wellness programme has achieved Workwell Gold Standard Accreditation through Toi Te Ora Public Health and support various causes throughout the year.
What are the approximate pay bands from lowest to highest?
The approximate pay bands for our current vacancies range from $54,330 to $150,515.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Tikitapu bins removal
Enquiry
I saw the bins at Tikitapu had been removed for a trial after seven wasps nests were removed.
I was speaking to a local ratepayer about it and had some questions and comments for response please:
Rotorua business owner and ratepayer Natalie Gracie walks her two dogs around the lake every day, but said she was disgusted to discover the bins were removed when she walked there last week.
She had to walk the track carrying dog poo the entire way.
She does not believe there is a wasp problem but said if there was the fullness of the bins would contribute to it.
She said the bins were always full.
She said people already used the area as a dumping ground and believed it would only get worse. "I can walk past and there will be sh** from here to Africa."
She said she has previously seen things like nappies and condoms and was not a good look with tourists coming to the area.
"No-one is going to want to go there now ... it's going to be a sh**hole."
She said while some people like her would take the rubbish away, most people would not and would just dump it.
She said it will become a safety and hygiene issue.
How long will the trial be?
What impact is expected on the surrounding environment regarding litter or pollution?
How frequently were the bins emptied before they were removed? And if wasps were a problem because of them, please explain why the bins were not emptied more frequently as a remedy. (If there was a change to frequency of collection, please explain)
What consideration has been given to the potential impact on tourists?
Is council aware of the area being used as a "dumping ground" as Gracie says? If so, what is the council doing about this?
How many complaints of wasps in this specific location has council received since December 1, 2022?
How long have the wasps been an issue?
How were they removed and how much did this cost?
Please explain the decision-making process regarding removal of the bins and potential increase in litter and whether this will cost more or less than the removal of wasps?
How has this summer compared to others in terms of wasp numbers at this location?
What plan does the council have for litter collection at this location during the trial, especially during events?
Also just spoke to Top Ten manager Kelsi Hira who said there had been no consultation with them about the trial. She said they would be directly impacted if there was an increase in rubbish being dropped (which is already a problem and have working bees to clean it up. She also said there were not enough bins as it was).
She said there was a big wasp problem this year but said this was a bandaid solution and instead creating a problem. She said the business would be impacted not only by bad reviews but potential increase to litter being disposed of in their premises.
She said it will end up in the grass and lake, particularly with how there was the trailer cafe and community bbq.
May I also ask if there are plans to remove bins from elsewhere?
Response
From Waste and Climage Change Manager, Craig Goodwin:
How long will the trial be?
The amount of litter collected from the bins is seasonal, so the trial will go through the winter and the area will be monitored.
It is important to note that this is a trial, and if the bin removal does not assist with wasp management, or there are issues with rubbish, we will look at other options.
What impact is expected on the surrounding environment regarding litter or pollution?
We have other areas around the district that do not have rubbish bins where rubbish is not an issue, for example, Te Pūtake o Tawa, which is a destination hotspot and has hundreds of users pass through each week.
The benefits to going bin-free at Te Pūtake o Tawa were that it reduces the amount of rubbish at the reserve, it reduces the chance of rubbish being blown from bins into the forest environment and it encourages visitors to be conscientious of rubbish and take responsibility - and this is a case that continues to work really well.
This is just one local example of how going bin-free can work well, with users taking their rubbish and recycling away with them. This area is always kept tidy by our community and manuhiri (guests) and businesses there that generate waste from their products provide bins.
All of Auckland’s Regional Parks operate on a “Take your rubbish with you” policy. The system has worked well there and is supported strongly by their visiting public. We know our community likewise value their lakes and forests, and we expect the trial will be supported by them.
How frequently were the bins emptied before they were removed? And if wasps were a problem because of them, please explain why the bins were not emptied more frequently as a remedy. (If there was a change to frequency of collection, please explain)
The bins were being emptied twice a week. Food waste odours that remained on the bins, even when empty, continued to attract wasps and other pests.
What consideration has been given to the potential impact on tourists?
Tourists using holiday and rental accommodation have access to rubbish disposal at their accommodation sites. There are facilities in Rotorua for mobile homes to dispose of their rubbish. Like many other areas around New Zealand, the removal of bins in popular reserves is becoming more common.
Is council aware of the area being used as a "dumping ground" as Gracie says? If so, what is the council doing about this?
Illegal dumping is cleared from council-managed reserves as quickly as possible. Lake Tikitapu hasn’t shown up as a problem area in the past.
How many complaints of wasps in this specific location has council received since December 1, 2022?
Lake Tikitapu is a popular location for locals and visitors, including for events and while we’ve received only half a dozen notifications from the public, we’ve also received feedback from regular user groups and event organisers. In one case, St Johns were on hand for an event and tended to a number of stings that were considered serious in nature, according to the person who reported it to council.
How long have the wasps been an issue?
We have issues with wasps every summer and particularly the last few summers when it has been hot.
How were they removed and how much did this cost?
The removal was undertaken by a pest control specialist and there will be follow-up management in October. This does not guarantee elimination of all wasps and we will follow up again next summer. The bins are a significant attractant so we are trialling something different and will assess the impact. We are asking the community to work with us. The cost of removing the 7 wasp nests (including four trips to track the wasps as well as removal) was $1100 plus GST.
Please explain the decision-making process regarding removal of the bins and potential increase in litter and whether this will cost more or less than the removal of wasps?
As mentioned previously, one of our encouragers in the trial removal of bins at Tikitapu was seeing how well this works at Te Pūtake o Tawa. If something isn’t working, we trial something different, usually something that has worked elsewhere.
We have also surveyed seven Public Place recycling bins and found the contents in these to be 97.5% contaminated waste (non-recyclables) which meant we were unable to recycle any of the contents. This is also reflected in the other 16 Public Place recycling bins we have around the district.
While the bins are meant to serve as a reminder to the public to separate waste and recycling, they have not to date proved to be effective and this is why some councils are moving away from installing these or are removing them completely.
How has this summer compared to others in terms of wasp numbers at this location?
See question above regarding how long they have been an issue.
What plan does the council have for litter collection at this location during the trial, especially during events?
Event organisers are required to prepare waste minimisation plans and provide appropriate services for their events. This has always been the case and includes the need to have a plan for removal of rubbish generated from the event. It is no different to providing the likes of a traffic management plan, crowd control measures or any other service the event requires to run efficiently.
May I also ask if there are plans to remove bins from elsewhere?
If this trial works well, we will put together a more comprehensive plan that identifies where we think this approach could be taken. Then, we will be talking with local iwi and the community before we propose any long-term changes in our litter control programme.
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Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Tissink 'Walk in the Redwoods' sculpture
Enquiry
Reporter enquiring about the Tissink walking sculpture which has been away from the Redwoods while undergoing repairs but is now back, in a new location:
- When was the 'Walk in the Redwoods' sculpture removed and what was the reason? How long does the process take to install/uninstall the sculpture?
- How does it feel to have the sculpture back in its place at the Redwoods? Will it be featured in the same spot as previously?
- I understand people have noticed its absence and have been asking about the sculpture - why do you think this is an iconic/important local sculpture?
- What is some of the history behind 'Walk in the Redwoods'?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
Response
From Council’s Community Arts Advisor, Marc Spijkerbosch:
The sculpture was removed in early 2022 for restoration and re-finishing. Removal takes approximately 1-2 hours. Installation required the construction of a new concrete base, as well as some landscaping, which was completed over a few days.
After a 12 month absence, we are delighted to have the sculpture back in place.
Due to redevelopment of the Redwoods area, the sculpture has been relocated to a site further down Tītokorangi Drive – just in from the southernmost carpark.
The wooden Walk in the Redwoods sculpture was created by the late Martin Tissink and installed in 1992. A celebrated, local artist Mr Tissink was born in Zeeland in the Netherlands and came to New Zealand in 1965.
Commissioned to create sculptures for both private and public display, in New Zealand and abroad, he passed away in 2013, leaving behind a large legacy of work.
As Walk in the Redwoods has required restoration over the years, this has been undertaken by the sculptor's son, Roland Tissink.
For over 30 years, the sculpture has become a much-loved and respected icon at the gateway to one of Rotorua’s finest natural assets.
The new site for the sculpture is within a secluded and tranquil forest setting where visitors and locals will continue to enjoy this celebrated artwork for decades to come.
*We also provided a photo of Roland Tissink with the sculpture in its new location. See attached