14 June 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Court action against emergency housing providers
Enquiry
I'm just checking in to get an update on this.
- Has any more court action been filed? Is it still just against the nine motels?
- How many more letters have been sent to other motels asking them to communicate with the council?
- Have any motels initiated action to get compliant to operate as non-contracted emergency housing motels?
Response
From DCE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Has any more court action been filed?
no
Is it still just against the nine motels?
Rotorua Lakes Council has requested that its applications seeking enforcement orders against the 9 operators to require compliance with the Rotorua District Plan be withdrawn as all 9 have since agreed to take the steps the orders we sought would have compelled them to take.
If the operators fail to take the necessary steps they have agreed to take to ensure compliance with the District Plan, we will re-file with the court and would look to take further legal action if there were ongoing failure to comply.
We will work with the operators and their consultants through the consenting process to ensure compliance with the District Plan if they wish to continue providing emergency housing.
How many more letters have been sent to other motels asking them to communicate with the council?
40
Have any motels initiated action to get compliant to operate as non-contracted emergency housing motels?
About 30 operators have so far made contact with Rotorua Lakes Council which is a positive response and we will be working through the required process with those operators who decide they wish to continue providing emergency housing.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Resource consents process for MHUD-contracted motels
Enquiry
I've just received a comment that I need to put to the council for a story I'm writing for tomorrow's paper about the 12 resource consent applications that were publicly notified at the weekend.
One of the people I've sought comment from has just responded and said the following:
I have apprehensions about the entire process. It’s as if they are trying to make it as difficult as possible for the average Joe Citizen to respond. Having to fill out a separate submission for each property is ridiculous.
Are you able to get someone from the council to explain why you can't do a blanket submission on all 12?
(It's fairly obvious but just need someone to say all consents are treated as individual applications and therefore the submissions need to be as well etc).
Response
From Manager Planning and Development Solutions, Jason Ward:
These are individual applications for individual properties and must be dealt with individually, including notification and submissions.
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Storm damage
Enquiry
I am just getting in touch because I understand part of the roof came off the Rotorua Aquatic Centre last night.
Are you able to please confirm this and let me know what the cause of this was? Is the aquatic centre open today?
What repairs have been carried out since part of the roof came off?
What other weather-related incidents are you dealing with this morning?
Response
The reporter was informed that crews were on site this morning to clear the fallen tree on Hatupatu Drive. Otherwise no new weather-related issues had come in overnight.
The following comment was provided re the Aquatic Centre:
From Council’s Property Manager, Samantha Rowley:
“Two pieces of flashing came off the Aquatic Centre’s roof yesterday afternoon. We expect this was due to the high winds experienced yesterday.
“It was too windy to send anyone up onto the roof yesterday to investigate. We plan to get a contractor up there today to carry out repairs.
“This has not affected the operation of the Aquatic Centre which remains open today.”