11 October 2021
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Kainga Ora housing development
Enquiry
See attached release from Kainga Ora with the start date for the Ranolf St / Malfroy Rd development.
Could I please have an attributable comment from the council on what work it has been doing alongside Kainga Ora to enable this development, what, if any, feedback the council heard from the public on this (I realise the feedback was to Kainga Ora but possibly the council received some views too) and any other general comments about the announcement (of the construction start date).
Could I please also have a comment from the mayor on: Her view of this development, the start date and how she thinks it will impact the people of Rotorua. I'm also interested in how impactful she thinks this is for housing stock in Rotorua / the housing crisis. Also the council is moving towards intensification and this location is pretty close to the city - is it dense enough at a max of two storeys?
I am after this by 12.30pm please.
From Local Democracy Reporter to Kāinga Ora
I am working on a story about the 37 home development on the corner of Malfroy Rd and Ranolf St in Rotorua.
I have some questions arising from the info released re the beginning of construction set down for February.
Could I please have an attributable comment from Kainga Ora on:
- Originally the development was set to begin construction in 2021, but now its February 2022. What was the reason for the delay?
- Are any further delays expected in the Covid-19 environment?
- What has the public feedback since August been on this development? What did KO hear from the public?
- The maximum is two storeys for this development. Did Kainga Ora consider higher density living, especially considering how close to the city centre the land is, and the potential to house more people this way? What were the obstacles to that (if any / if it was explored)?
- Some people highlight state-built homes should not be 'ghettoised' - clumped together - as they have often been in the past, but rather blended within communities. Was that considered in this case?
- What provision is being made for the availability of social, community and whānau services near this development?
- What can people expect from the info session on October 13?
Response
from Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
Adding 37 new homes to the housing supply in Rotorua is a start, but we certainly have a long way to go to begin to resolve the housing crisis this city is facing.
The latest quarterly report (June 2021) tells us that there are more than 740 people on the housing register in Rotorua and by adding more public housing to the system, it means more people move off that register, out of motels and into permanent homes.
While short-term arrangements are in place with motels, increasing housing stock of all types is where we need to focus our efforts, and Council along with the Government and Te Arawa are continuing to work together to reach that goal.
Further information (this can be attributed to a Council spokesperson):
- We are not aware of any feedback provided to Council regarding the residential development on this particular site.
- Council has received a Resource Consent application for a residential development and a subdivision. The consent is currently being processed.
It is noted in the information provided by Kāinga Ora that future development of higher density housing is being considered for this site. If and when those decisions are made, it is likely that Council will be involved as the consenting authority
Response fromDarren Toy, Regional Director Bay of Plenty, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities
- Originally the development was set to begin construction in 2021, but now its February 2022. What was the reason for the delay?
We still plan to start work on site late this year, subject to consents, with ground preparation and civils work, with completion by mid-2022. - Are any further delays expected in the Covid-19 environment?
No delays at this stage, but the Covid-19 environment is ever changing so this could impact in the future. - What has the public feedback since August been on this development? What did KO hear from the public?
We’ve received feedback from four people, wanting to know who would live in the homes and the support we provide to our customers. - The maximum is two storeys for this development. Did Kainga Ora consider higher density living, especially considering how close to the city centre the land is, and the potential to house more people this way? What were the obstacles to that (if any / if it was explored)?
This first stage of development is one and two storey, and we are at the early stages of exploring options for higher density housing on the Ranolf St/Malfroy Rd corner of the land, given how well located this site is and the pressing need for more homes for whānau in Rotorua. - Some people highlight state-built homes should not be 'ghettoised' - clumped together - as they have often been in the past, but rather blended within communities. Was that considered in this case?
Our aim is to create homes for people as part of an inclusive, thriving and well connected wider community. This development has been designed by specialist urban design, architecture and landscape experts, with emphasis on connecting to the neighbourhood through the shared community building, alongside pathways and other design elements which promote connections into the area. These homes on this well located and large site will help start to meet the urgent need for homes for people in Rotorua, alongside other redevelopments underway or planned at existing Kāinga Ora sites spread across the city, and other housing opportunities being explored. - What provision is being made for the availability of social, community and whānau services near this development?
A community space is part of the design for this site, with the intention to include access to social and whanau services for our customers. We haven’t made any decisions on what services will be available and who would provide these, and will be seeking input from our customers around this to ensure they best meet their needs. - What can people expect from the info session on October 13?
An overview of the development, including renders, plans and timelines, and a chance to meet and speak with the team and have any queries answered.
www.kaingaora.govt.nz/ranolfmalfroy
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Pukehangi Road speed changes
Enquiry
I'm working on a story about the speed threshold near 362 Pukehangi Rd. The threshold signs say 60 (kmh) while travelling northwest, but the road travelling in that direction states "70". Travelling in the southeastern direction, the signs say 50 which aligns with what is painted on the road.
I have some questions about this for the council for my story, as well as a resident's comments to provide for right of reply if desired:
- Why does it have 60kph signs but 70kph on the road? What is the actual speed limit at that threshold?
- How long has it been this way? Does the council have any plans to update the signage to reflect clarity around the speed limit? Can you please provide details?
- Has the council received any queries from the public in this time about the speed signs being contradictory?
- Is it correct a staff member told Mr Otene he would have to start a petition and get a certain number of signatures in order for speed bumps to be considered for the road? What would need to happen for speed bumps to be implemented on the road?
- Is the council aware, besides from what Mr Otene has said here, of any concerns around engine braking and speed on the road?
I am after this by 2pm Monday October 11 please.
COMMENTS:
Resident Stafford Otene says he has no idea what the speed limit is supposed to be on the northwestern part of Pukehangi Rd.
Otene, who lives with his wife and nine-month-old baby – and another on the way - says the speed sign confusion is just the tip of the iceberg and wants Rotorua Lakes Council to install speed bumps on the road.
“[Drivers] have no respect. It’s a lack of consideration for locals and it’s a major lack of consideration for safety.”
“We were going to shift here for the safety of our kids. We thought it would be nice and quiet.”
He said he rang the council about installing speed bumps and a representative told him residents would need to “make a petition and get a certain amount of signatures”.
Otene said the speed threshold – two ‘lollipop’ signs nearby – was confusing and didn’t help the situation.
“It’s a bit of a weird one. Is it 60? Is it 70? 80? 100?”
He said trucks’ engine braking as they reached the 50kmh zone had woken the baby which was distressing to the whole family, and the speeds on the road had him fearing for his and other peoples’ children’s safety.
He believed speed bumps might cost about $50,000.
“You’ve got them on Clayton, Sunset [Roads], why can’t you have them on Pukehangi Rd?”
“It’s either $50,000 or 10 funerals by the end of the year.”
Response
from Infrastructure & Environment DCE Stavros Michael:
Why does it have 60kph signs but 70kph on the road? What is the actual speed limit at that threshold?
As part of the 2021 Speed Limit Review, Council consulted on 56 proposed changes to speed limits including an existing 70kph section of Pukehangi Rd between Malfroy Road and Clayton Road. On 28 June this year, Council resolved to adopt a 60kph speed limit for this section of Pukehangi Road.
The remaining paint on the road was left in error. Following notification from the media on Friday, Council requested that the contractor urgently remove the ‘70’ sign on the road.
How long has it been this way? Does the council have any plans to update the signage to reflect clarity around the speed limit? Can you please provide details?
Has the council received any queries from the public in this time about the speed signs being contradictory?
Is it correct a staff member told Mr Otene he would have to start a petition and get a certain number of signatures in order for speed bumps to be considered for the road? What would need to happen for speed bumps to be implemented on the road?
Is the council aware, besides from what Mr Otene has said here, of any concerns around engine braking and speed on the road?
The posted speed limit signs were changed on 15 September 2021 in accordance with regulatory standards. The ‘70’ markings were removed on 9 October 2021.
[re queries from the public] Not that we are aware of.
Council receives many requests for traffic calming. Each request is risk assessed based on speed data, speed-related crashes, pedestrian use and traffic volume on that particular road. The data is used to calculate a ‘priority score’ which enables the road to be ranked in terms of its priority for installing traffic calming interventions. This section of Pukehangi Road is not currently on the list but we can include it for future consideration.
Council has previously received requests to lower the speed limit on Pukehangi Road, which has contributed to its inclusion in the 2021 Speed Limit Review, and the outcome in lowering the speed limit to 60kph. Council is not aware of any engine braking complaints for this area and would expect that to be less of an issue now that the difference in adjoining speed limit is only 10kph (60-50).
Further info (not comment):
We’ve ask internally and cannot find any staff member who can recall providing that information to Mr Otene. That is definitely not a standard response (the instructions would be to request traffic calming in writing and that would be passed on to Council’s Infrastructure team). We also have no record of request from Mr Otene in our system. If you can confirm the date, approximate time and number Mr Otene called from then we can check to see if we have a recorded conversation.