19 October 2023
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Tenancies in backpackers and hostels
Enquiry
Following on from comment provided by Mayor Tapsell re addressing use of backpackers and hostels for longer term tenancies as part of the Housing Accord agreed with the Labour government, the reporter had the following additional questions:
Can I ask how the accord may change/look under a National government?
And minister woods said in her response:
"While ensuring buildings comply with relevant building regulations is ultimately the responsibility of the Rotorua Lakes Council, Mayor Tapsell and I agreed to explore the inclusion of backpackers in the Rotorua Housing Accord’s work programme.”
Will the inclusion be a result of a review?
When would a review be and what would it look at?
Response
From Mayor Tania Tapsell:
“We will need to wait for the new Government to be finalised, then I’ll meet with relevant incoming Ministers about the best way forward to ensure we are continuing to deliver better outcomes for our locals.
“During the election campaign, National indicated they would end the use of emergency housing motels in Rotorua within two years and look to work more closely with Community Housing Providers. This has strong alignment to what Council and our community have asked for. We’re looking forward to progressing this as soon as possible.”
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Rough sleepers
Enquiry
The following is in reference to mention of rough sleepers in an update to the recent Community and District Development Committee meeting:
I am following up on what was said at the committee meeting last week about homeless support offers and had a couple questions.
When did the council start doing these checks?
The 13 checks - how many individuals? Nine? Just noting only one was referred to as four-time recidivist.
Once offer declined what happens?
When do police become involved?
Have there been any complaints from members of the public? (If so, what do these involve and what is the monthly average?)
Which reserves have staff found individuals to offer support to?
How many have been trespassed since these offers began? This year?
What happens if a trespassed individual goes to a reserve?
Since March 2022 has the council used a drone or contracted the use of a drone to find rough sleepers at reserves and what has the outcome of this been?
Why can't people sleep at reserves?
Jean-Paul Gaston said at the meeting the logical question was how it can look after its spaces - what issues does people sleeping at reserves cause, and how are these resolved?
Response
From General Manager District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Re when did the council start doing these checks?: People sleeping rough in reserves is not a new thing. Our Safe City Guardians have for a number of years now conducted routine checks of inner city parks and reserves and where they’ve found people to be sleeping rough have offered to connect them to support services. It is then up to the individual as to whether they take up that offer of assistance and sadly, many do not.
Re the 13 checks - how many individuals: 9
Re what happens if offer of support is declined: People are moved on from reserves but we cannot force them to take up support services.
Re when do police get involved?: If there is illegal activity like intimidation or if someone won’t move on from a reserve when asked to do so.
Re complaints from the public: During the past six months we have received 8 reports from members of the public (3 in May and one for each of the following five months) about people camping or living in cars at reserves.
Re where have staff found individuals who have been offered support?: Kuirau Park, Government Gardens, lakefront.
Re trespassing: Trespassing people is an absolute last resort. We do what we can to encourage people to take up the services and support that is available to help them. Six people have been trespassed by police on behalf of RLC to date this year.
Re what happens if someone breaches a trespass order: Trespass orders are enforced by police and they are called when necessary.
Re has RLC used drones to find rough sleepers since March 2022: No
Re why people can’t sleep at reserves and issues/risks associated with this: Camping in public parks and reserves that are not designated for this is illegal but our primary concern is community safety. Our reserves are generally not safe places for sleeping.
Geothermal terrain and activity in some of our inner city parks and reserves poses a risk to rough sleepers. There are also other health and safety risks due to the lack of ablution facilities and rubbish that is often left by people sleeping rough.
The behaviour of some may also pose a safety risk to others.
There is housing and other support and assistance available and we do our best to encourage people to take up the services that are there to help them.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Building consents
Enquiry
I was hoping you could provide the building consents for September? I have drafted some questions below:
What was the number of commercial consents issued in September?
What was the value of commercial consents issued in September?
What was the number of residential consents issued in September?
What was the value of residential consents issued in September?
What were the top five commercial consents in terms of value issued in September? Please include the address, the value, and what it was for.
Please provide attributable comment from the council about how commercial consents for September compared to the rest of 2023 and provide comment explaining any trends.
Response
The reporter was informed that unfortunately, due to the consenting team’s workload and priorities and the time needed to collate the information requested, we were unable to service this request at this time and invited her to check in on progress at a later date.