12 January 2022
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Lakefront playground
Enquiry
I've gone down to the lakefront playground to speak with some people down there.
It was overwhelmingly positive, but a couple of people did mention it would be even better with a water feature for kids to play in, such as those ones where water intermittently spurts upwards, or like the fountain at Memorial Park in Tauranga. Another person also mentioned that shade is limited and another said it wasn't clear from the markings on the boardwalk whether or not it is ok to swim in the lake, as the jetties suggested to them they were for jumping off. They saw the signs on the boardwalk but didn't think they were very explicit.
Can the council please comment on those bits of feedback (e.g. has a water play area, more shade near the playgrounds and more signage on the boardwalk been considered) and also provide a bit of an idea of the response the council has seen to the new playground since it opened.
Can you please also provide a bit of a description of what the next/final parts of the redevelopment will look like and what the current ETA is on their completion.
Can the council please comment on what impact it thinks the playground and overall redevelopment is having and will have on tourism (everyone I spoke to down there were out-of-towners).
Follow up questions:
As a follow up - the newly planted trees around that area that the council hopes will provide shade in the future - how long does it expect it will take for the trees to be big enough to do so? Just as an estimate.
Also re the water play area suggested by some people - I suspect that would require a variation to the contract and elected members to sign off on the additional cost, would that be correct?
Response
From Acting CE Craig Tiriana:
“Feedback on the new lakefront playground has been very positive and it’s fantastic to see this new space being so well used. I commend the project team and contractors for pushing to get this finished and open in time for the summer holidays. Those efforts have been really worthwhile.
“The project team is collating and assessing feedback about the playground and will make adjustments as required. Shade sails were not included in the playground design as a number of large trees provide shade within the reserve and newly planted trees will add to this in the future. Signage on the boardwalk advises against jumping off the boardwalk due to the shallow depth of the lake. Like any body of fresh water, water quality can fluctuate and we have requested that Toi Te Ora Public Health and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council include the lakefront in their online safe swimming reporting so people can check the status of this part of the lake.
“This project has always been about creating an outstanding recreational area that benefits locals, supports tourism, encourages private investment and reflects the heritage and connection of Ngāti Whakaue and Te Arawa to the Rotorua Lakefront.
“The development is already proving to be a hit with domestic visitors and we look forward to sharing this new experience with our international visitors, hopefully in the near future.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Council has continued to look ahead to the future and has continued to invest in projects such as the lakefront and forest developments to ensure Rotorua was well positioned to welcome visitors back once travel restrictions eased. We’ve seen this vision come to fruition over this busy summer period at the lakefront and look forward to being able to share the next stages of the development with locals and visitors as they are completed over the coming year.”
Information:
The next milestones at the lakefront include:
- Completion of the new toilet block by end of January
- Painting of basketball court cultural design to be complete by 21 January
- Installation and unveiling of cultural artworks by local artist Lyonel Grant is planned for February
- Work on a dedicated toddler play space will begin in February and is planned to be complete mid-year
- Western extension of the boardwalk is underway and on track to be complete in July
- The new carpark off Lake Road is scheduled to be complete in October
- Construction of the new wharewaka is scheduled to be complete in September
- It is anticipated that private investment into a commercial space will begin this year.
Response to follow up questions:
“The newly planted trees already provide small pools of shade and this will increase as the trees grow.
“Any significant adjustments or additions to the current work programme would require elected members’ support.”
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: DCE Community Wellbeing appointment
Enquiry
Can you please tell me when Anaru was officially appointed specifically, what his start date is and how many candidates applied for the role?
Response
Reporter was advised that Anaru was officially appointed as DCE – Community Wellbeing on 23 December 2021 and will start on 21 February 2022.
There were 21 applicants who applied for the role.