Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting update
Tarawera Sewerage Scheme Stage 2 – Community Feedback and Actions
Noting residual community reluctance to fully endorse the scheme’s implementation, the Infrastructure and Environment Committee has given effect to its September resolution to proceed towards concluding a contract with the preferred tenderer for Stage 2 of the Tarawera sewerage reticulation scheme.
The September resolution paused finalising and awarding the contract until further feedback was sought from the Tarawera community. That feedback has since been received.
Elected members were updated on the results of October 2023 Tarawera community feedback which, according to a rounded summary of general position, showed 75% of respondents wish to be included in the Council-led installation of Stage 2 of the scheme and do not support self-installation or want to explore this.
The Committee agreed to give effect to its resolution of the 6 September 2023 to proceed towards concluding a contract with the preferred tenderer for Stage 2 of the Tarawera sewerage reticulation scheme.
This enables contractor mobilisation in mid-2024 in a manner that aligns with the operational need for Stage 1 (which is in progress and likely complete mid-2024) to be completed before on-property systems are installed, tested, connected and commissioned.
The Committee noted that the matters of setting the final targeted rate for the scheme will be deliberated by Council at the appropriate time and at Council’s Funding Policy discretion under their statutory authority.
Council will not strike an actual capital targeted rate at least until the year 2025/26 when the scheme is expected to be substantially completed with the capital targeted rate not starting until Scheme is complete.
View the report relating to this matter on p25 of the meeting agenda HEREon Council’s website.
Go to THIS LINK in the meeting recording to view this part of today’s meeting.
Tarawera Sewerage Scheme petition received
Duncan Evans and Gordan Lewis spoke to their petition requesting Stage 2 of the Scheme is put on immediate hold pending a final and fixed targeted rating for the whole scheme (Stage 1 and 2), being agreed with Tarawera property owners.
A letter from the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association was tabled which noted their support of the Rotorua Lakes Council’s led installation of the scheme (publicly owned) on property systems for Stage 2 of the reticulation scheme.
View the presentation relating to this matter HERE on Council’s website and documents HERE (page 6) of the agenda.
Go to THIS LINK in the meeting recording to view this part of today’s meeting.
Update on Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa – Rotorua Museum
Since September’s update, site visits by contractors and sub-trades have occurred and two contractors have pulled out of the tender process which closed on 1 December 2023, the Infrastructure and Environment Committee heard today.
Exhibition/ building project integration workshops have been held and Cr Greg Brown today was appointed as an additional observer on the project’s Building Governance Group.
An additional $5m from Rotorua Trust has been agreed but progressing funding confirmation and new agreements with Central Government agencies could not be progressed due to the election and coalition talks.
A request has been made to Bay of Plenty Regional Council for redirection of $4.1m exhibition funding to the build project which would narrow the funding gap. A decision is due 14 December.
Meanwhile, tender evaluation is underway with a recommendation due to be put to Council in February 2024. From now until early 2024, funding and agreement conditions will be confirmed, contract negotiations will take place and construction, to be undertaken as funding allows, is scheduled to begin in April/May 2024.
View the presentation relating to this matter HERE on Council’s website and go to THIS LINKin the meeting recording to view this part of today’s meeting.
View the report relating to the Building Governance Group matter (page 22) HERE on Council’s website.
Go to THIS LINKin the meeting recording to view this part of today’s meeting.
Also on the agenda …
Operational updates
The committee received updates from the Infrastructure and Environment team (transport, waters and environmental performance, Emergency Management, Active and Engaged Communities).
View the report relating to this matter (page 32) HEREon Council’s website.
Rotorua stormwater consents – urban area presentation
An update was provided on the comprehensive urban stormwater consent that will provide the council with a single consent authorising multiple discharges from the urban network to streams and the lake and providing a consistent approach to managing water quantity and quality throughout the urban catchment.
View the presentation relating to this matter HEREon Council’s website and go to THIS LINKin the meeting recording to view this part of today’s meeting.
Confidential items
The Committee moved into public excluded to consider and InfraCore report, a Polynesian Spa Ltd admission charge increase and a tender recommendation for work relating to Peka Block stage 1.