14 April 2023
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: 2023/24 Annual Plan proposals
Enquiry
I have some comment from a few sources I would like to put to council and the mayor for response. If deemed political and the council does not wish to respond may I have some wording explaining that please.
There will most likely be more but wanted to send this as early as I can to help where possible.
Skatepark advocate Ryan Gray said the proposal to defer the development of the Kuirau Park Skate Park to save $1.02m was like the rug had been pulled out from under the group at the 11th hour.
“The council have already spent over $100,000 on preparing the new site for building on, which is ready to go, community consultation on a concept design has been done, countless hours have been spent getting the project to this stage, and it’s gutting seeing it delayed again.”
He said the project aligned with the council’s goals of a connected and active community.
“Other than penny-pinching, it’s difficult to see why this decision had been made.”
He said the group would ensure the project was ready for the next financial, consult with the community to make sure the plans were still wanted and seek other funding sources.
“Almost every other town around Rotorua, from Cambridge to Te Awamutu, to Katikati to Tauranga have either opened a new skatepark or have one in the works - we can’t afford to be left behind.”
Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers association chairman Reynold Macpherson said its preliminary response was to congratulate elected members and officials for taking seriously the drastically reduced capacity of ratepayers to pay for rates rises.
“They have accepted that the affordability of rates rises has been undermined by Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, the impact of the homeless industry on our community, and [the] council’s inherited debt.
“They have proposed courageous and appropriate cuts to the multitude of programmes and projects that [the] council has been paying for or subsidizing in the past.”
On the other hand, he said there was no situational analysis explaining how the council defined the current operating environment and challenges or justifying the plan’s four priorities.
“Gaps in logic are filled with rhetoric.”
He said the proposal to borrow $51m to help fund the $141m capital works programme was troubling as it was “driven by predetermined decision to progress, complete, or start eight projects without public consultation or budget challenges, or to consider possible deferrals”.
He also criticised what the public could comment on.
“Questions about system productivity and efficiencies, especially in Infracore, Airport and RotoruaNZ, are apparently not permitted and should be.
“In times of crisis, no projects or programmes should be ring-fenced.”
Response
From Mayor Tania Tapsell:
This project has not been cancelled, we have been clear in the Annual Plan that spending on it needs to be deferred as work is still underway before it can begin.
Council has spent $94,000 to date on preparing the site. This includes the preloading of soil that can be seen at Kuirau Park which has only just stopped moving. There is a lot more planning work required before this can be started.
The team is working on finalising a design of the new park which will then help the community groups to fund raise the remaining amount needed. The skate park always required a significant amount of external funding or sponsorship which the group is aware of.
Council has previously indicated a $750,000 contribution towards the total cost of $2.5 million. We will be confirming the future of any funding in our Long-Term Plan discussions towards the end of this year.
We want to continue working with the group on setting up the right avenues, and potentially a Trust, to help them get this funded. In the meantime, Council can continue helping with design and project management.
I appreciate that the Kuirau Park skate park has been on the wish list for a while now but fortunately there are a number skate parks located across the district that were purposely built within our neighbourhoods to ensure that that all families can access and enjoy these great facilities too.
For your further information:
There are 6 neighbourhood or suburb skate parks. These are:
- Puketawhero
- Karenga
- Park Rd
- Wrigley Rd/Huia Lyons Park in Fordlands
- Ngongotaha
- Mamaku
From RLC Chief Executive Geoff Williams:
The Draft Annual Plan is out for consultation, and now is the time for people to have their say, in fact we encourage all groups to submit their submissions via our website or attend one of our consultation events. Council acknowledges that economically times are tough, and the draft plan reflects the new Council’s key priorities; housing, infrastructure, economy and community. It aims to balance what the community needs most with the need for prudent management in the face of these significant financial challenges. It would be inappropriate for Council to comment on individual groups’ comments.