11 November 2022
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Removal of Green Corridor section and CBD revitalisation planning
Enquiry
Regarding yesterday’s News Release (see HERE) about work to begin on removal of a section of the Green Corridor in Rotorua’s CBD, reporter requested the following:
Can you please clarify:
a framework that "pulled together common themes and elements from previous CBD plans -
Can you please just briefly lay out what those previous CBD plans were and when they were made? I realise there has been quite a few CBD revitalisation plans over the last 10 years or so and as I understand it, they haven't really been actioned, or only partially actioned...?
Also a heads up I'll go talk to some business owners tomorrow too so there's a possibility of some comments for right of reply tomorrow.
Subsequently received from reporter:
Got my comments back and main criticism is just from Lotus, Sulphur City Soapery and Vault owners/managers that the Green Corridor (broadly and that specific section of it) was a "waste of money".
To me that's criticism of a decision of a previous council but let me know if the council wants to respond to that.
Also this, mildly critical - just in case the council wants to respond to it:
Cycling enthusiast Jenny Lux said she believed that particular section [of the Green Corridor] was "poorly designed" but cycleways should be considered as networks.
"There does need to be a more straightforward path through the city for bikes.
"I don't really like the piecemeal approach.
"If you're going to remove a tiny portion of an existing cycleway, how does that help the continuity of the cycleway?"
Response
Nothing from the council organisation on the views expressed in the comments you have provided but see below regarding the framework:
From DCE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
This strategic framework is the result of a review of inner city redevelopment plans from 2006 to 2020, pulling together common themes and proposals from these to provide the basis for discussion and consultation to develop a new plan.
The review of previous plans reconfirmed the overall direction we are working towards to develop a new inner city strategy that is well grounded and provides clear direction. The strategic framework is the first piece and cultural foundations – work on which is underway – will underpin the new plan.
The previous plans that were reviewed:
· 2006 Rotorua CBD Revitalisation Strategy
· 2010 Rotorua Urban Design Framework
· 2015 Inner City Revitalisation Strategy
· Rotorua Spatial Plan adopted in 2018
· CBD revitalisation proposals from the inner city group that contributed to the 2020 Economic Development Strategy Framework.
Over time we have been able to implement a variety of projects from these plans including Eat Streat; redevelopment of the former City Focus, now Te Manawa; increased lighting; inner city artworks; wayfinding; activations such as the Night Market; Kuirau Park revitalisation; and lakefront redevelopment. These have provided the platform on which we are now looking to build.
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Media: TVOne
Topic: Armed incident at BNZ Rotorua
Enquiry
Reporter sought interview with Mayor Tapsell re yesterday's incident at BNZ in Rotorua's Central Mall.
Response
Mayor Tapsell was interviewed and noted that it was a shocking event, the police response had been great and thoughts were with those who were caught up in the incident.