16 October 2023
Media: TVNZ (Te Karere)
Topic: General Electin results
Enquiry
I was wondering if [Mayor Tapsell was] free today to have a talk to me about your thoughts on the recent election result and what you would like from the new government.
Response
Mayor Tapsell was interviewed today and covered the following points:
- Not surprising National won election – there has been a lot of hurt and pain across the country over past few years
- What will be surprising is how Govt maintains those seats – who are the minor parties they’re willing to work with etc and we look forward to hearing how this will be finalised
- Rotorua is a world class destination, locals love living here – we’re really keen for Govt to help us restore our reputation
- We have a really good future here but need help from this Govt around community safety and to build more homes and more affordable homes so people don’t need to use emergency housing motels
- Māori Party can be really proud with how well they have done this election
- What we need from our local MPs and new Govt is to fight for our local voice, decision making and power needs to stay local
- Our local communities and situations are unique and we want to be able to make decisions that work for us
- Willing to work together with Govt to solve our local issues
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Museum project
Enquiry
I am looking to do a museum update - the mayor mentioned a few weeks ago that building/construction was hoped to get underway within the next couple months.
Can imagine many in the community will be happy to see this.
Can I please get some detail as to what the first steps are including who is involved and what work it is? Is there a specific date yet?
Can I please have an overview as to the project plans, including the order of work?
An earlier estimate was a reopening time of early 2026 - what is the most recent estimate?
Is this still accurate: The total cost was expected to be at least $81.4 million, most of which would come from external funding contracts. The council aimed to keep its share within the $15.5m it budgeted for the project.
In terms of funding - has the council managed to secure all the additional funding it needed to complete the project? Where have these come from?
If no, what is remaining and where is the shortfall likely to come from?
What work is being done to cover the shortfall?
It was previously said there was 95 per cent confidence the budget included sufficient contingency - is this still accurate?
And a second request is whether there is any opportunity to get some visuals when the work does begin to mark the occasion? Would love to share the moment with readers.
Response
From Executive Project Sponsor, RLC Interim Chief Executive Gina Rangi:
Following the establishment of a building governance group to oversee the construction phase, [Laura see I&E coverage from 13 September 2023] a contract recommendation is expected to go to elected members for approval later this year or early next year.
The construction work programme, including when it will start and the order of work, will be confirmed once a contractor is in place.
Work continues to secure additional external funding and when there is an update available on this, it will be reported to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
As previously reported, there will be ongoing decision-making as the project progresses, with each stage of construction to be awarded to the extent of funding available at that time.
Nothing has changed at this time in terms of cost expectations, contingency or estimated time of re-opening.
Work is also continuing on development of the exhibitions that will feature in the museum when it re-opens. This is a complex piece of work that started some time ago and involves extensive engagement with key stakeholders like iwi about what they would like to see featured.
Laura, we can deal with the request re visuals at the appropriate time but that shouldn’t be a problem.