4 July 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre closure
Inquiry
Can you please confirm the following?
- Has the work to temporarily strengthen a wall of the Concert Chamber ahead of earthquake strengthening been carried out?
- Are all parts of the performing arts centre now open? If so, which parts and when did they open?
- If some are still closed, which areas and why?
- When is it expected that all areas will be open?
- Have more events had to be rescheduled?
- What is the future plan for the centre and earth-quake strengthening? Will it need to be closed again for a longer period?
Response
From Chief Financial Officer Thomas Coll (who manages the team responsible for council buildings):
The centre re-opened last Monday, as planned, following completion of the temporary strengthening work. Council decided to take a conservative approach in having the work done and closing the centre meant it was able to be done quickly.
As previously indicated, the Concert Chamber remains closed as we are moving into detailed seismic assessment of that part of the building in preparation for earthquake strengthening. Regardless of the temporary strengthening work that was done, the Chamber would have needed to close to enable the detailed assessment to be done.
Staff have worked with the organisers of any events scheduled to be held in the Chamber to make alternative arrangements.
The length of the Chamber closure will depend on the outcome of the detailed seismic assessment, which is the first part of developing a plan for earthquake strengthening. Council will have a better idea of what needs to be done and the impact of that when it receives the report on that detailed assessment.
The Concert Chamber was part of the original 1938 centre and was incorporated into the current building during its redevelopment in the mid-1990s. The chamber is a Category One heritage building so Council is working with Heritage New Zealand regarding the assessments.
The proposed upgrade of the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre was part of consultation on the 2017/18 Annual Plan and as a result of feedback received Council decided there was a need for further consultation with key stakeholders on the case to upgrade the centre. Council will then make a decision on the outcomes and direction for the project.
A budget of $1 million has been allocated in the 2017/18 financial year to undertake the work with stakeholders and depending on Council's decision, to complete detailed design and potentially start construction. It's envisaged earthquake strengthening would be done at the same time.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Special Housing Accord
Inquiry
Rotorua Daily Post requested comment from Mayor Steve Chadwick about the Special Housing Accord announcement.
Response
Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
I look forward to further discussions with our MP and the relevant ministers to understand more about how an accord might work to help Council address the pressures of our growing district.
This proposal recognises that Rotorua is growing and facing challenges as a result of that growth.
It shows confidence in our district - people are moving here, we have population growth, we've also seen substantial and ongoing commercial development and our economy has been performing above the national average. While we welcome growth it also presents challenges for us, putting pressure on our housing stock, our infrastructure and our environment, and we need to find ways to address those challenges.
I have spoken previously with Todd and Minister Steve Joyce about the need for more housing in Rotorua and the need to explore ways to unlock land and encourage residential development. I'm heartened we have had a response to our requests for assistance.