24 May 2022
Media: RNZ (Checkpoint)
Topic: Council's legal action against emergency housing motels
Enquiry
We're running a story on Checkpoint tonight about the council's initiation of legal action against nine emergency accommodation motels.
I'm seeking responses to the following questions by 3pm:
- Why has RLDC initiated court action?
- When were proceedings lodged with the Environment Court?
- Who are the proceedings against?
- Are we talking about nine separate actions, or one covering all providers?
- What's the nature of the court action?
- Does Council know how many individuals are housed in the nine motels involved in the legal action?
After receiving information from RLC the reporter subsequently requested an interview with DCE District Development JP Gaston and also sought interviews with Mayor Chadwick and Cr Tapsell.
Response
The following information was provided:
Council has filed applications in the Environment Court seeking enforcement orders against 9 accommodation operators providing emergency accommodation to require compliance with the Rotorua District Plan.
The applications were lodged with the court on 16 May.
This follows previous attempts to request that these operators engage with Rotorua Lakes Council to ensure that if they want to continue providing emergency housing they are compliant with the relevant regulations and requirements.
The action is part of a compliance process to ensure the safety and appropriateness of any facilities providing emergency accommodation.
Across the next two weeks other operators providing non-contracted emergency housing will receive an initial invitation to engage with Council in order to ensure that if they want to continue providing emergency housing they are compliant with the relevant regulations and requirements.
You’ll find background information HERE
No, we don’t know how many individuals are staying in the 9 establishments for which application for enforcement orders have been filed.
Mr Gaston and Mayor Chadwick declined an interview as the matter is now with the courts but Mayor Chadwick provided the following statement:
This is a regulatory decision but I know that staff always attempt to engage with those concerned – as they have in this case – prior to any decision to take regulatory action and that action like this is always a last resort.
You’ll be aware that Rotorua Lakes Council has been working closely with central government to get an end-to-end support system in place for people needing emergency accommodation and that is now in place. The council organisation also has an obligation to ensure people are in accommodation that is safe and fit-for-purpose.
Cr Tapsell agreed to be interviewed
RNZ online story and recording of interview with Cr Tapsell is HERE on RNZ website
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Media: Mediaworks
Topic: Legal action against emergency housing motels
Enquiry
I am hoping to get a statement or organise a pre-recorded interview about the court action filed against nine motels, used for emergency accommodation.
Response
The reporter was provided with the following info:
Council has filed applications in the Environment Court seeking enforcement orders against 9 accommodation operators providing emergency accommodation to require compliance with the Rotorua District Plan.
The applications were lodged with the court on 16 May.
This follows previous attempts to request that these operators engage with Rotorua Lakes Council to ensure that if they want to continue providing emergency housing they are compliant with the relevant regulations and requirements.
The action is part of a compliance process to ensure the safety and appropriateness of any facilities providing emergency accommodation.
Across the next two weeks other operators providing non-contracted emergency housing will receive an initial invitation to engage with Council in order to ensure that if they want to continue providing emergency housing they are compliant with the relevant regulations and requirements.
You’ll find background information HERE