On the Agenda
Library removing fines
Rotorua Library is going fines-free from July.
International evidence has proven that going fines-free increases membership and allows greater participation in accessing resources, especially for those in lower socio-economic groups, the Operational Report for this week’s Operations & Monitoring Committee notes.
Literacy and access to literacy resources are foundations of community wellbeing with international evidence showing that:
- Most people blocked from borrowing because of fines are from lower socio-economic areas.
- Fines-free increases morale of customers and staff and removes feelings of embarrassment when utilising service and the perception of a punitive approach.
- Worldwide evidence has shown people will still return books and regular users will not suffer a drop in service.
The report to the Operations & Monitoring Committee says potential gains for Rotorua Library, based on overseas and national experience include:
- Between 1000 and 5000 potential new members;
- An increase in issues of 10,000 to 50,000;
- 826 members currently blocked from services due to fines will have access to collections restored.
Meanwhile, more schools are choosing to reduce in-house library services due to budget restrictions, making public libraries even more important. Some schools already use the public library as “their library”.
A revenue loss of approximately $25,000 per year is expected by removing library fines and library staff are working with council’s finance department on budget savings to offset this. The library team will also be working with finance on a book return amnesty and appropriate debt write-off to make the programme as successful and fair as possible.
Hannah’s Bay wetlands project update
A consent application has been lodged for a project to restore wetlands and establish an additional wetland area at Hannah’s Bay, with the support of tāngata whenua and the local community.
The project aims to deliver community aspirations, improve stormwater quality, buffer flows during storm events and deliver on a consent requirement relating to the airport.
Permitted preliminary works undertaken including weed control (willows) in the main wetland restoration area.
As no tenders were received for the civil structure and earthwork requirements this will be re-tendered in July 2022.
The Hannah’s Bay wetlands project update is included in the latest Operational Report for this week’s Operations & Monitoring Committee meeting.
The monthly report provides updates on services, work programmes, initiatives and projects being delivered across the council organisation.
Other updates in the latest Operational Report:
Aquatic Centre: The tender process for refurbishment of the main pool hall and front-of-house is set to close in early June. After tender review, clarification, evaluation and negotiation it is hoped to come back to Council in early July for a decision to begin the refurbishment work.
Lakefront redevelopment: In Stage 5 (final boardwalk section and surrounding landscape) the last of the precast concrete boardwalk units have been installed and a protective koura habitat has been installed under the boardwalk. The Stage 6 car park area is now under preload and paving will be completed once this is complete with the opening expected to be in September. In the meantime, Stage 7 landscaping work has begun.
Forest developments: Taonga carved for installation at Titokorangi (formerly Long Mile Road) will be unveiled along Titokorangi Drive by Ngā Hapu e Toru ō Ngāti Whakaue during Matariki.
Museum: Discussions with funders regarding the structural and geotechnical recommended solutions have been underway and architectural developed design is now complete with roof design works continuing following detailed inspections using an elevated work platform.
Sir Howard Morrison Centre: Building and construction works are nearing completion. Covid has impacted contractor staffing and caused supply chain delays but the project is progressing, including fit-out works with visible changes now rapidly occurring.
Inner city parking: Data has shown increased use of parking during April in most areas with an average 1385 transactions per day and compliance continuing to trend upwards, indicating people are generally using the system correctly. Parking revenue was $3.4k per day giving a total parking revenue (excluding infringements) of $65k, the highest monthly level so far this year.
Business Events: Enquiries about business events are continuing to increase with more than 15 conferences booked at Council venues between August and November.
Development of Baxendale esplanade reserve: Engagement with iwi, Fish & Game NZ, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, local kura and the community has been initiated for the development of the Baxendale esplanade and recreational reserves. The reserves have been acquired as part of the Baxendale subdivision to ensure community have access to the Utuhina Stream, green space and infrastructure to enable recreational activity. Development of the reserve needs to happen to enable recreation to take place and to enable appropriate maintenance to occur including caring for the awa. A community meeting was held in May and designs will follow engagement with all parties.
Linton Park weed removal: The Multicultural Society removed an area of weeds in Linton Park and replanted with native shrubs and kowhai trees. This activity was initiated by the Multicultural Society as a part of a series of projects to assist migrants to learn about and become involved in our communities. They worked with the Linton Park Community Centre and Council staff and secured funding through the Geyser Community Foundation.
Tikitapu playground renewal: This work was completed in April and opened just in time for Easter. Meanwhile, the Pururu South playground on Tarewa Road has been removed due to the poor condition of the equipment. It was identified there are a number of playgrounds within walking distance of the surrounding community and following community engagement the playground has not been replaced. The area will be grassed and used as an open space.
Waitōharuru (Tarawera Landing) refurbishment: The project continues with additional work approved to separate the puna wai (natural spring water) from the stormwater. The stormwater will be filtered through rain gardens before exiting into the lake. An outcome of this project is improved lake water quality and the stormwater measures will have significant environmental as well as cultural impacts.
Neighbourhood Matching Fund: There were two applications to the Neighbourhood Matching Fund round assessed by a community committee in April with $9000 approved for Tatau Pounamu Collective for community clean-ups and community activities in Eastside neighbourhoods during the coming months. A grant of $20,000 was approved for Miss Rotorua Foundation to fit out the dance floor area of their new community centre, also supported by other philanthropic funders.
Child Equity Programme: A food security survey has been completed by nine of the 10 Rotorua schools not eligible for Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Ka Ora, Ka Ako/ Healthy School Lunch Programme (decile 5-10 schools). All respondents identified students going without enough food/ kai on a regular basis. Teachers were the main contributor in filling these gaps. Half of the schools require 30 to 100 lunches. 67% said snacks, fruit and lunch were needed on a daily basis and 78% of these schools would prefer an external food provider to help fill the gaps. At this point MOE has no plans to deliver the Ka Ora, Ka Ako/Healthy School Lunch Programme to these schools however, there is evidence of need. The survey results were shared with MOE and local funders are discussing potential opportunities to address this need.
Fordlands housing and wellbeing: Council staff have been working alongside Fordlands Community Association to help them achieve their housing and wellbeing strategies. They have requested a portion of Wrigley Road Reserve be included in the revocation of reserve status proposed by Council for a number of reserve sites. If approved Council staff will continue working with the association to identify a suitable community housing provider to develop housing there. An initial hui has been held with Habitat for Humanity.
East Rotoiti/Rotoma sewerage scheme: Installation of on-site systems at Rotoiti is progressing to schedule with 100 properties approached. Funding balance is being discussed within the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme and agreement has been reached to secure the required $10m from Deed funds allocated to the programme. The programme partners are awaiting agreement from the Minister for the Environment. Meanwhile, funding to be sourced for on-site water treatment systems at Rotoehu to connect that community to the scheme is still unavailable at this time.
Wastewater network renewals: Design work for replacement of a critical section of wastewater main in Victoria Street is progressing. The project is being designed to accommodate future demand from all proposed development on the western side of the city. Negotiations for two critical easements for a duplicate pipe are continuing. The work cannot start until easements are secured and negotiations with landowners continue.
Pre-election report: Preparation for the 2022 pre-election report is underway and the report is due to be released in the first week of July. This report is prepared every 3 years and informs the community and local election candidates of Council’s current state of affairs. It will highlight current challenges as well as successes.
2022 vote campaign: The local government elections will be held in October this year. The determination made by the Local Government Commission (the 3/6/1 model) will be the model that will be used for this election. This model allows for 3 seats on the Maori ward, 6 seats on the General Ward and 1 seat on the Rural Ward. Education around this model and how candidates can stand for this election as well as how the community can vote is currently underway.
You can read the full Operational Report in the Operations & Monitoring Committee agenda HERE (go to p40)
CCO reports
Council-controlled organisations (CCOs) InfraCore Limited, RotoruaNZ Limited and Rotorua Airport Limited will present their third quarter reports for the 2021/22 financial year to the Operations & Monitoring Committee this week.
You can read the CCOs’ written reports in the Operations & Monitoring Committee agenda (go to p12 for InfraCore, p22 for Rotorua Airport and p27 for RotoruaNZ)