31 May 2017
Media: TVNZ 1 News
Topic: Paradise Valley driveways
Inquiry
I am doing a story on the plight of some residents on Paradise Valley Road following a major flooding incident on the 12th of March this year.
I have interviewed Dean Dinnington and Neil Heather.
They say they advised the Council last year of their concerns of a build up of debris further up the stream and the likelihood in heavy rain that it would come down and wreak havoc which it appears to have done.
The March flooding has left them being cut off from the road. It wiped out any vehicle access.
They both say that the council has been reluctant to commit to a tangible solution in a timely manner. They say that it has been vague promises after vague promises. They have been in regular contact with Stavros Michaels and Peter Dines.
Neither party is saying the problem is the council's alone but say the inaction is not acceptable.
I am after an interview with the relevant Council person as to how this can be remedied.
Response
General Manager of Infrastructure Stavros Michael was interviewed by TVNZ 1 News.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers - spatial plan submission
Inquiry
We'd like to give the RLC the opportunity to respond to the RDRR's claims regarding the spatial plan.
Response
Please attribute the following comment to Rotorua Lakes Council's Strategy and Partnership Group Manager, Jean-Paul Gaston:
This is a political submission regarding the Rotorua Lakes Council Spatial Planning Discussion Document and it would be inappropriate to comment on. Given the level of feedback and interest on this discussion document, Council has decided to extend the feedback period from May 31 to June 10th to allow more people to have their say on the document.
A correction was also sent to RDP
The Rotorua Lakes Council currently has no Spatial Plan and is seeking feedback from the community on its Spatial Planning discussion document in which will set the foundations to develop a draft Spatial Plan.
It would be appreciated if you could issue a correction and clarify the third paragraph of the story to reflect that submissions are open for the Spatial Planning discussion document.