22 July 2022
Also see below comment for you:
From DCE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Rotorua needs thousands more homes of all types to address our current critical housing shortage and thousands more in the medium to long term to meet expected future demand.
We would be keen to see anything that will improve processes to enable more homes to be built as quickly, effectively and efficiently as possible while also addressing affordability.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Age Concern housing project
Enquiry
I'm working on a story for the Rotorua Daily Post about Age Concern's project of having a pocket neighbourhood for elderly in need.
Age Concern Rotorua has been able to buy a section in Ngongotaha for 3, possibly 4 eventually, tiny homes.
Would I be able to get a few comments from someone appropriate at council to the below questions?
- I understand Age Concern Rotorua had approached council with plans around this project at an earlier date - what were council's thoughts then and what are its thoughts now that land has been able to be bought for it? Why do you think it could be a good initiative?
- What sort of involvement does council have in projects like this? Resource consents etc?
- How much involvement has council had with this so far and what would the next steps be?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
We are wondering if comments by 3pm would be possible? (I know this is a very tight turnaround!)
Previous stories written about this: HERE, HERE, HERE
Response
From DCE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Given Rotorua’s critical housing shortage we welcome the news that Age Concern has found a site and is looking to progress with its plans.
Rotorua urgently needs more homes of all types, including smaller homes.
Requirements for any development depend on a range of factors that are specific to a site and to what is planned for that site and we look forward to assisting Age Concern and/or their agents to work through what may be required for this particular development.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Stuff
Topic: Emergency housing
Enquiry
I am writing a feature about the impact of emergency housing work on the motel sector.
Can you please tell me where things are re the Government seeking five-year consents allowing up to 1008 people at a time to stay across 12 Rotorua motels contracted for emergency housing.
- How many submissions were made in response to the public notification?
- How many were in favour and how many opposed?
- when will the matter be heard by the hearings panel?
Response
We provided the following information:
As you’ll be aware, submissions on these consent applications have now closed.
The submissions are now being collated so that a report can be provided to the panel of commissioners.
We should be able to provide numbers etc next week, if you still want the info then, once this process is completed.
The panel of independent commissioners will set the date for hearings. No date has been confirmed at this stage.