12 May 2023
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Draft annual plan consultation
Enquiry
Enquiry for both RLC organisation and Mayor Tapsell:
Looking to write something up today on the end of the consultation period for draft AP, and was wondering if someone could please help with a few qs.
- What time does/did it officially close?
- How many submissions have been received? (and are there more to count up?)
- How does this compare to previous years? What was the largest number received for a draft annual plan?
- What is next in the process?
For the mayor:
- What is your opinion on the number of submissions received?
- Why do you think this number was received?
- During the election campaign period you, and others, voiced a priority would be to "stop the spend". Do you believe the draft AP reflects that? Any other comment on this?
- There have been those critical of what was proposed in the draft plan - what would you say about this and how will this be considered going forward?
- Any other comment?
Response
From Mayor Tapsell:
What is your opinion on the number of submissions received? Why do you think this number was received?
I think it’s good that the Rotorua community have shared their voice on issues that will impact them and their district over the next year.
There were a number of important community, infrastructure, housing and economic projects Council is proposing to invest in over the next year that will bring long-term benefits. The community wanted change and affordable rates, and so we’ve given them options that sparked a good community conversation and the large number of submissions received.
During the election campaign period you, and others, voiced a priority would be to "stop the spend". Do you believe the draft AP reflects that? Any other comment on this?
This draft Annual Plan reflects Council priorities to ensure we can deliver on the projects and services that are absolutely necessary, including safe and reliable infrastructure, and better community safety and housing outcomes.
There’s no doubt the new Council inherited a challenging financial position, we would have needed an almost 12% rates increase if we didn’t make changes.
To keep rates affordable we’ve also investigated any and all options to increase revenue, or save money, by proposals to pause or stop some services.
This draft Annual Plan is an opportunity to stop the unnecessary spend, then reset and realign Council, to focus on delivering a better future for Rotorua.
There have been those critical of what was proposed in the draft plan - what would you say about this and how will this be considered going forward?
I’m glad our community is providing their feedback, whether it’s positive or negative, it all contributes to ensuring the new Council can make well informed decisions of the impacts to our community.
The organisation provided the following comment and information:
From DCE District Leadership and Democracy, Oonagh Hopkins:
Consultation closes at the end of today [midnight].
We will have a final tally early next week but as of yesterday we had received more than 1500 pieces of feedback which is more than we would normally receive for an annual plan.
Re process: The process for the annual plan is outlined on Let’s Talk/Korero Mai (see Ngā whakaritenga/Lifecycle to the right of screen, under link to Documents)
Re number of submissions in previous years: This was previously provided to and reported by you last month so you already have that info which included some context about what was being consulted on in those years. In case you’ve not kept it, I’ve copied what we sent you below:
Please find below the number of submissions received in prior years along with a small blurb detailing what may have contributed to the number of submissions for each plan:
2019/20 = 27 Submissions This was year 2 of the 2018-28 LTP and was not a significant deviation from what was proposed in the LTP.
2020/21 = 200 (approximate) This included the Wastewater Contract consultation and was year 3 of the LTP and had a few changes.
2021/22 (LTP) = 780 (approximately) The LTP had a number of topics that affected different parts of the community.
2022/23 = 10 submissions. This was year 2 of the LTP and no significant deviation from the LTP.
In response to a further question from the reporter asking if we knew the most feedback received for an annual plan we informed the reporter that we did not have a record of that to hand, that this would require searching back through deliberations reports from all years but noted that it could be said, based on information from recent years which she had already been provided, that feedback for this (current annual plan) was the most received in recent years for annual plans and long-term plans.
We also noted that the figure of more than 1500 pieces of feedback which had been received as of yesterday did not equate to that number of people as some had completed the survey as well as providing written feedback and some feedback was from groups or organisations.
We also provided information about how the reporter could find deliberations reports on our website going back further than the years for which she was provided information, going back to at least 2008/09, if she wished to search herself.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Storm damage to roads (potholes)
Enquiry
I'm hoping to find out how bad weather has impacted roads in Rotorua this week in regard to potholes that have worsened or formed.
Is council aware of any significant potholes that have formed or worsened in Rotorua? If so can you please specify the locations?
Are contractors carrying out any work this week to repair pothole damage? Where is this taking place?
What is the number of complaints made to council about potholes in the last week?
Anecdotally, how does this compare to April figures?
How many requests relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes has council received in the last week?
Generally, how has rain in recent months impacted the roads?
Does council ever cover vehicle damage caused by potholes?
Just let me know if you have any questions!
Response
We provided the following information and comment:
From DCE Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions Stavros Michael:
Road damage often becomes an issue when we experience the sort of heavy rainfall we had this week, adding to previous rainfall during recent months and following an extremely wet 2022, the wettest year in 30 years.
Repairing potholes is something our contractors do on an ongoing basis as part of maintenance they undertake on our roading network. After this week’s heavy rainfall our contractors are busy working their way through a lengthy list of repairs to damage on our local roads which includes underslips, scouring and potholes and clearing slips and debris.
This work is undertaken on a priority basis across our district. Our contractors can’t get to everything at once and after any stormy weather we urge drivers to continue to take extra care on our roads and to be aware that they could come across slips, treefalls and damage such as potholes. We want to remind drivers to use the road responsibly and be aware of the prevailing conditions when driving.
See our weather updates (Weather updates - Rotorua Lakes Council) for information about the extent of damage to our roads as a result of this week’s rainfall event.
If anyone notices damage on council urban or rural roads, they should call us on 348 4199 so we can log it for inspection and repair.
The council expects repairs to be done as soon as possible, but the timeframe may be weather-dependent.
Additional note and info for reporter:
Not all roads are managed by RLC so it would be worthwhile contacting WakaKotahi for a response as well.
Also, here is information we have previously provided to the Daily Post regarding road damage and repairs:
- Weather patterns i.e. extreme rainfall penetrating road surfaces and creating hydraulic pressure due to traffic loading which pops up a small chunk of seal creating a surface dip.
- Icy temperatures where water in the voids of the road surface becomes ice which then expands and pushes up the road surface.
- Utilities trenching works where the resealing joints allow water to penetrate the surface and soften the subsurface causing loss of the seal membrane.
- Residential construction works also create the necessity for the installation of utilities which can result in the trenching effect.
Most road surface damage is due to water ingress inside the road pavement and we’ve had a lot of rainfall in recent months. Rainfall events are becoming more frequent and more severe and generally, we can expect more road damage during winter months when we tend to have more rain. That’s also the time of year when conditions are less favourable for repairing road damage.
Reported damage relating to state highways, which are managed by Waka Kotahi, is referred to the agency to deal with. Waka Kotahi can also be contacted directly about damage on state highways.
Re road surface and bitumen: Our contractors are required to use products that meet the standards required for New Zealand roads and our national roading standards are similar to most of the world’s developed countries.