27 July 2017
Media: OneNews
Topic: DOC press release - visitors disturbing threatened gulls at Sulphur Bay
Inquiry
Kate from 1 News requested a response to this media release from DOC about visitors disturbing threatened wildlife at Sulphur Point.
View DOC press release HERE
Response
Response from Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley -
The high lake levels from the particularly wet winter season have caused the gulls to move closer to where the walkways are situated in Sulphur Bay. When the lake levels are lower, they usually tend to nest quite a long way from where the public can walk.
The Department of Conservation has contacted Council with concerns about visitors to the area moving off the walkways and disturbing the protected gulls.
DOC is putting up temporary signs and fencing in the area to protect the birds while they are nesting.
We recognise that Te Arikiroa/Sanatorium Reserve has unique cultural, natural and geothermal values and the birds and their environment must be protected so we will support the Department in its efforts to try and make sure people stay on the walkways and away from these rare gulls.
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Media: TV3 Am show
Topic: Rotorua to become first bilingual city
Inquiry
TV3's The AM show requested an interview with Mayor Chadwick and Te Taru White regarding the announcement for Rotorua to become the first bilingual city.
Response
Watch the video clip from the AM Show HERE
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Media: Rotorua Review
Topic: Home insulation costs
Inquiry
First I wanted to confirm my understanding that Government has mandated that councils have to inspect home insulation jobs?
What is the purpose of an inspection?
My understanding too is that the fee for inspections is set by individual councils - is this correct?
I believe RLC charges $377 for an insulation inspection - can you tell me something about how that figure was set?
I have found out that Taupo council charge $110 - can you tell me something about why Rotorua's is so much higher?
Response
Under the Building Act, retro-fitting insulation in external walls requires a building consent but insulation to ceilings and underfloor does not.
There are expanding foam type products used to insulate external walls that can result in mould-causing moisture being introduced to wall cavities. These must meet very specific requirements to ensure safety for occupants.
An inspection allows Council to ensure any specific requirements relating to the chosen product are adhered to.
To make the insulation process simpler and more cost-effective for home owners, Rotorua Lakes Council has worked with two retro-fitting insulation providers to pre-approve the products they use. Home owners who use these pre-approved providers and products must still apply for consent but Council has discretion to not require one. The cost of these discretionary approvals is $130 (per property).
In deciding whether to grant an exemption Council looks at the likely risk of the work not being completed in accordance with the building code and if this is minimal then this contributes to the final approval decision.
Where consent is needed the cost is more. Rotorua Lakes Council charges $385 for a single inspection consent which includes time allocated to vetting, travel, inspecting, processing and other administration costs (issuing of consent, code of compliance, plus the scanning of records on completion).
This $385 charge includes, in part, Council's building management rate of $185 per hour and business support rates of $135 per hour. This is on par with other councils, for example Taupo, which charge $160 per hour for building management and $120 per hour for business support.