26 April 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Weather update
Inquiry
could you please provide an update on where the RLC is in regards to slip clean up and flooding affecting access for residents?
- When is the expected (or hoped for) finish for the work on the slips below?
Response
Here is an updated list of what the contractors are dealing with. The work is being prioritised and where slips haven't been cleared they are signed up' meaning safety signage is in place.
Fulton Hogan is not aware of any flooding in the district leftover from the two cyclones.
Paradise Valley Rd - Several large underslips. Signed up as required. Temp traffic lights in place also.
Te Weta Rd - 2 x underslips near bridge along with 2-3 small overslips along the length of the road. Signed up.
Rehi Rd - Several small slips and larger underslip. Signed up
Twist Rd - Several small slips. Signed up as required
Poutakataka Rd - Several small slips. Signed up as required
Totora Rd - Several small slips. Signed up as required
Okaro Rd - Slips, material left on berm & watertable. Signed up.
Waimungu Rd - Slips, material left on berm & watertable. Signed up.
Te Kopia Rd - Only one small slip left - Completed today
Hossack Rd - 2 x large slip & several small slips. In progress today
NZ Cycleway (Sth of Rotorua) - 3 x slips fully blocking the cycleway. No Action yet
Waikite Valley Rd - 2 x slips near hotpools. Signed up
Maleme Rd - Slips. Signed up.
Corbett Rd - Slips. Signed up.
Dods Road - Slips. Signed up.
Tarawera Road - Slips Signed up.
Spencer Road - Slips. Signed up.
Oturoa Road - Slips. Signed up. In progress today
Dansey Road - Slips. Signed up. In progress today
Tumuni Road - Slip in watertable only. Signed up.
Puaiti Road - Underslips - Signed up.
Further response:
Here is the response from Stavros Michael, Director for Transport and Waste Solutions:
We expect all the remaining work to be completed by the end of next week although variables such as the weather and other urgent jobs may impact on how soon the work can be finished.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Housing announcement
Inquiry
Rotorua Daily Post requested comment from Mayor Chadwick regarding the Rotorua social housing announcement made by MP Todd McClay.
Response
Initiatives like the social housing plan announced yesterday would be part of the solution.
Housing and homelessness were complex, multi-faceted issues which needed a Government-led approach, Mayor Chadwick said.
Council hasn't the funding to buy or build houses but we're keen to do whatever we are able to do to help facilitate initiatives that help address housing shortages and homelessness.
We already support the Rotorua Homeless Steering Group which is led by LifeWise, and we're investigating the potential for a community housing trust. While the initial purpose is to finance and increase quality social housing for older people in Rotorua, a trust like this could potentially become an umbrella organisation for other collaborative social housing work.
Complex issues like housing will require a multi-pronged approach involving multiple organisations. I look forward to hearing more about the social and transitional homes planned for Rotorua and seeing how council can be involved to make it happen, the mayor said.
The mayor's comments follow Associate Social Housing Minister Alfred Ngaro's confirmation of plans for the 117 new social and transitional houses in Rotorua yesterday. He said the aim was to have 37 transitional houses available by the end of this year and 80 new social housing properties over the next three years.
This is a statement of intent that we take the issue of housing in Rotorua seriously and that we have a plan to address the need, he said in a statement. We are working hard to address the current and future demands on social housing.
The announcement was also welcomed by Rotorua MP Todd McClay who said he would be working with Rotorua Lakes Council on the initiative.
The local economy is performing strongly and Rotorua is an attractive place to live, he said in a statement. People are choosing Rotorua as a place to raise their families and this has created pressure in the housing market. The solution is to build more homes and the government has shown it will partner with local communities for robust solutions, Mr McClay said.