21 November 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Tenancy issues at Lake Rd property
Enquiry
I'm working on a story about tenants at 99 Lake Rd being asked to move out of the property. The property was formerly known as Utuhina Hot Springs Fishing Lodge and now sublet by Visions of a Helping Hand. My story deadline is 4pm. Please see questions below.
The Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team are currently investigating the property and have told me the following:
"While this is a complex investigation, we are continuing to work to ensure that any identified non-compliance is managed and that the interests of tenants are protected.
"TCIT is aware that some tenants have chosen to move out. In instances where we have engaged with the tenants we have been told that they have been offered alternative accommodation by the Landlord, which they have the right to accept or refuse.
"We understand the premises are not consented for their current use, and the landlord is therefore endeavouring to find alternative accommodation for remaining tenants to voluntarily move to.
"TCIT has provided guidance and instruction to enable the landlord to work toward compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 while some tenants are still residing in the property."
Is council aware tenants have been living in these premises? If so, why was this allowed?
Why are these premises not consented for their current use?
Is council supportive of the tenants voluntarily moving out?
What work needs to be done for this property to be compliant with the Residential Tenancies Act?
Are there any other properties in Rotorua that are non compliant with the act but have tenants living in them permanently?
Please feel free to add any other comments.
Response
From Kurt Williams, RLC’s Manager Community and Regulatory Services:
Is council aware tenants have been living in these premises? If so, why was this allowed?
Council has been made aware of the tenancies, TCIT’s interest in the site and some previous intended voluntary movement of tenants. If any residential tenancies remain, resource consent will be required under the District Plan and will be followed up.
Why are these premises not consented for their current use?
This question should be directed to the owners/operators of the premises.
Is council supportive of the tenants voluntarily moving out?
Council is supportive of compliance with relevant legislation.
What work needs to be done for this property to be compliant with the Residential Tenancies Act?
Matters regarding the Residential Tenancies Act should be directed to MBIE which administers this Act. Council has no jurisdiction under the Act
Are there any other properties in Rotorua that are non compliant with the act but have tenants living in them permanently?
As above.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: District mowing services
Enquiry
We're curious to know how the council regulates mowing of lawns in parks and reserves.
How often is this done? When is it done? Is it monitored in person? Are the lawns mown via a roster? Does the amount of rain/sunshine impact the growth and if so, how is this monitored? Does the council have an app to track growth or is it just visually observed?
I'm sure there's a team that are responsible for this, and we simply want to recognise the good work they do! Would someone from this team want to hop on a lawn mower for us to photograph?
what area (in square metres) does the team have responsibility for? All the parks and reserves combined?
Response
See below from Dave Rose, General Manager Operations at InfraCore which is a council-controlled organisation (CCO) that is contracted by Rotorua Lakes Council to mow our parks and reserves (so this has come from InfraCore rather than RLC:
We're curious to know how the council regulates mowing of lawns in parks and reserves.
Rotorua Lakes Council assigns a star rating to all of their assets. This is based on the Recreation Aotearoa levels of service guidelines and determines the height the grass should be maintained at throughout the year.
How often is this done? When is it done?
The InfraCore mowing team mows five days a week year-round and six days a week during periods of high growth.
Is it monitored in person? Are the lawns mown via a roster?
The mowing teams are continually moving around the district servicing the parks and open spaces in line with the classifications assigned by Rotorua Lakes Council.
Does the amount of rain/sunshine impact the growth and if so, how is this monitored?
Yes, rain and warm weather increases the rate that grass grows. This also impacts the frequency that we have to visit locations and impacts the time it takes to mow an area. Our mowers have to slow down when the grass is higher and thicker to keep the cut consistent.
Does the council have an app to track growth or is it just visually observed?
Currently growth rates are visually observed by the teams as they move around the district. High usage areas and tourist locations are prioritised as the holiday season and grass growth both peak at similar times.
Re how many square metres of parks and reserves are InfraCore responsible for mowing?
4,480,000 square metres
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Housing Plan Change 9
Enquiry
Reporter working on a Plan Change 9-related story with particular focus on a the submissions made by Kainga Ora sought clarification on:
Who ultimately makes the decision re the plan change
The ‘further submissions’ period
Whether Residential Zone 2 should be referred to as medium or high density
Whether the recommendations for decision-making would be dealt with separately or as a whole
Response
We provided the following information:
Re will the recommendations from the commissioners to council be dealt with as a whole or one by one – that would be a decision for the chair of that meeting.
Re the further submissions period, this opened 12 November and closes 25 November (as JP explained during his recent presentation on the PC9 process, the further submissions process is a legislated 2-week period).
Residential Zone 2 is currently a medium density residential zone and the plan change proposes that this be changed to high density residential.
Re decision-making: Independent commissioners panel will hear submissions and make recommendations to the Council. If the Council rejects any recommendations, the matter is referred to the Minister for the Environment for decision. If the Council accepts the recommendations the plan change becomes operative. See below snippet one of the team sent me which explains the hole process – hope that clarifies it.