28 April 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Emergency housing
Enquiry
The reporter requested further clarification of Council's response yesterday in relation to questions about emergency housing and barrister's paper relating to emergency accommodation, and provided comments to council for right of reply.
The reporter asked for clarification as to whether the council has been aware all this time the practice of emergency housing is contrary to the district plan, or whether this is an issue that's just come to light as a result of the legal paper.
The reporter asked that council be more specific about whether changes will be made to the district plan to make the practice of emergency housing compliant with the district plan.
1. Has the council done anything or is the council doing anything to make changes to the district plan to allow this practice to lawfully continue?
2. How difficult is it to change the district plan?
3. Has this paper taken the council by surprise?
The reporter specified that in question 3) above the question was more around whether the contents of the paper were a surprise - was council aware from the beginning the emergency housing process was in breach of the district plan or has this issue just come to light as a result of the paper?
Further request for clarification and comments for right of reply -
- From the reporter
I think it's also important to specifically see if the council wanted to respond to the suggestions the council was not complying with its obligations under the RMA and the suggestion that it's taking a "hands off" approach to enforcing non-compliance with the district plan.
- Comment from Todd McClayMcClay said he was surprised the council had not taken such breaches of the district plan more seriously.
"If one of the motels put up a sign in the wrong place, the council would threaten to take them to court for breaching the district plan I'm sure. I think local people are right to think the council should be doing its job properly. This is a serious issue."
- Additional comment from Todd McClay
He said what was happening was "totally unacceptable".
"The council can not turn a blind eye. They need to enforce the rules of the district plan and the Resource Management Act or somebody will take them to court.
"The point is what is going on is not okay for the residents in that area and we saw that with the public meeting. The council has an obligation to either enforce the Resource Management Act or urgently do something about it."
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council Chief Executive, Geoff Williams:
The paper simply sets out what is already in the District Plan. Council is very aware of what's in the plan and we're focussed on working with Central Government, iwi and others to find long-term solutions that do not involve motels. We doubt that in the meantime our community wants to see children and families being turned out of motels and onto the streets.
We do not intend to change the District Plan. The current use of motels as emergency housing is not considered to be part of a viable long-term solution.
District plan changes can take several years if there are appeals.
Re is council surprised by the paper:
No, we were aware of the paper.
Further response from Rotorua Lakes Council Chief Executive, Geoff Williams:
We recognised that this situation creates the potential for breaches of the District Plan and we have been considering the best approach to address this.
We are continuing to work with Central Government to find long-term solutions that do not involve the use of motels as emergency accommodation.
Further response from Rotorua Lakes Council Chief Executive, Geoff Williams:
We recognised that this situation creates the potential for breaches of the District Plan and we have been considering the best approach to address this.
We are continuing to work with Central Government to find long-term solutions that do not involve the use of motels as emergency accommodation.
*Reporter was informed the organisation had nothing to add re Mr McClay's comments
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Susan Street playground
Enquiry
We are following up on this story from earlier this month. We understand that Susan Street playground has been fenced off for about a week now, and would appreciate it if you could answer the following questions by 5pm today:
- Why has the Susan Street playground been fenced off? When did the fence go up? How long will the fence be there?
- What are the council's plans for the Susan Street playground? How much will these plans cost?=
- Has council had similar problems with broken glass and vandalism in other playgrounds around Rotorua? If so, which playgrounds have been affected?
- Has the council had to clean up any other playgrounds, which ones?
Response
The following information and comments were provided:
From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:
The playground at Aorangi Reserve has been closed until further notice due to ongoing vandalism causing safety issues. The temporary fencing was installed last week in response to contractors finding glass amongst the bark during their daily inspections.
Following the recent information from the community that glass was again becoming an issue at that playground, council contractors carried out daily checks and found glass each time they arrived. It also appeared that some of the glass had been placed in the bark on purpose with the intention of causing injury.
It is extremely disappointing to have to close a community asset, but at this time it is the safest option to ensure that children using the space aren't at risk of being hurt by the broken glass.
Letters have been sent to local residents to let them know about the closure and that council will be talking to the community about the future of that space. We want to work together with the community to find a solution that will ensure the reserve and the playground is a safe space for the children that are using it.
Key information:
- Contractors were checking the playground daily and found new glass each day.
- Alternative surfaces under the playground have been considered but they are prone to acts of vandalism such as arson.
- A temporary security camera has also been considered however this has likewise been the target of vandalism and will only deter the behaviour while it is in place.
- Vandalism or the mistreatment of community spaces is an issue that we deal with daily and district wide. Other instances include broken reserve barbeques, arson within public toilets or on playground surfaces, broken glass, damaged reserve gates and padlocks.
* Please note that we are still awaiting stats for other playgrounds so I will send that through as soon as we have that data from our contractors.