Long-term Plan Deliberations Day 1
Following consultation and hearings Council started deliberations and decision-making on its 2024-2034 Long-term Plan today, taking feedback received into consideration.
Deliberations on the Aquatic Centre, rating of vacant land and recommendations relating to ‘other’ feedback received during consultation will be dealt with tomorrow, Friday 7 June.
The following decisions were made today:
Day 1 of deliberations
COMMUNITY OUTCOMES Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=1368 | |
Recommendation: Council proposed 9 outcomes to describe its vision of ‘a better Rotorua for all’ and to focus the delivery of services and projects. It was recommended that: Council approve the 9 community outcomes as set out in the consultation document and ensure that Council services and projects are aligned to these in the final LTP 2024-2034. | Decision: Recommendation adopted: ie that Council approve the 9 community outcomes as set out in the consultation document and ensure that Council services and projects are aligned to these in the final LTP 2024-2034. |
EAST ROTOITI/ROTOMĀ SEWERAGE SCHEME Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=1881 | |
Recommendation: It was recommended that Council adopt one of the following options: Option 1: Proceed with the introduction of the capital repayment for the East Rotoiti/Rotomā scheme inclusive of a $2700 subsidy (per household) from council and a $10m loan from the Ministry for the Environment (to be repaid by the Lakes Enhancement Rate). Projected Resident funding total = $19,555,889 or $25,397 (excl GST) per household. Option 2: Option 1 + $4.5m share from Rotorua Lakes Council to counter cost variations /escalations. Projected Resident funding total = $15,055,889 or $19,553 (excl GST) per household. Option 3: As proposed in the Consultation Document – Introduce the capital charge to residents as per the consultation document for the draft Long-term Plan 2024-2034. Projected Resident funding total = $30,480,000 or $39,584 (excl GST) per household | Decision: Option 2 adopted: ie Option 1 + $4.5m share from Rotorua Lakes Council to counter cost variations /escalations. Projected Resident funding total = $15,055,889 or $19,553 (excl GST) per household. Mayor Tania Tapsell noted that she had now had confirmation of the $10m loan from the Ministry for the Environment. |
SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=3550 | |
Recommendation: That council support charging short-term accommodation providers advertising for more than 60 days per financial year with the business and economic development targeted rate only. In this option, a property used for short-term accommodation would continue to be rated as residential on the general rate and pick up the business and economic development targeted rate. This has two components, a fixed charge and a variable component based on the property’s capital value. This would reduce the proposed rates increase to short-term accommodation providers by more than 60% compared to a fully commercial rate as was proposed in the consultation document. Under this option the policy would be reviewed after 2 years but no later than within 3 years and during this time a focus group would be established with sector representatives to monitor the application of the policy and propose to council any changes to improve it. | Decision: Amended recommendation adopted: That Council charge short term accommodation providers where the whole dwelling of the property is advertised for a total of 60 days for short term accommodation, with the business and economic development targeted rate only. That the policy be reviewed by council after being in effect for at least 2 years but not later than 3 years since the implementation date. That the CE be directed to set up a working party which includes representatives from the short term accommodation sector and broader tourism sector to review the policy and propose any improvements to Council. |
ROTORUANZ FUNDING Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=11148 | |
Recommendation: That Council approve overall additional funding of $650,000 per annum to its council-controlled organisation (CCO) RotoruaNZ to recognise an inflationary lift in funding ($200,000) plus targeted funding towards the Rotorua reputation rebuild campaign ($450,000). NOTE: Funding would be generated from the proposed new short-term accommodation rate. | Decision: Recommendation adopted: ie additional funding of $650,000 annually to RotoruaNZ, including a $200,000 inflationary adjustment and $450,000 towards a reputation rebuild campaign. |
INNER CITY REVITALISATION Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=11812 | |
Recommendation: That Council approve development of and consultation on an Inner City masterplan and approve $60,000 per year for inner city renewals and $3.3m per year into years 4, 5 and 6 of the Long-term Plan to develop and deliver the masterplan. | Decision: Recommendation adopted: ie consultation on masterplan, $60,000 per year [of the long-term plan] for renewals and $3.3m per year in years 4, 5 and 6 to develop and deliver the masterplan. |
AQUATIC CENTRE REVITALISATION - STAGE 3 Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=12299 | |
Recommendation: That council approve $3m in the Long-term Plan towards the commencement of stage 3 of the Aquatic Centre revitalisation project. | Decision: Laying on the table for Council to receive further information from council officers to assist with a decision. |
INNER CITY SKATE PARK Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=17097 | |
Recommendation: That Council provides seed funding of $650,000 towards construction of a skate park at Kuirau Park, committing the funding into year 3 (the 2026/27 financial year) of the Long-term Plan, providing time for remaining funds to be raised. | Decision: Council agrees to put funding of $650,000 towards the construction of a skate park at Kuirau Park, committing the funding into year 3 of the long-term plan, subject to the balance of the funding being raised by the community and the scope and design being approved by Council. |
PENSIONER HOUSING Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=18601 | |
Recommendation: That Council approve exploring the option of entering into a long-term lease arrangement(s) with suitable community housing providers and present a proposed arrangement. | Decision: Recommendation adopted: ie council will continue to explore the option of entering into lease arrangements with suitable community housing providers. |
COMMUNITY FUNDING ALLOCATION Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=18603 | |
Recommendation: That Council approve a total community funding allocation of $295,000 per year. | Decision: Recommendation adopted: ie total community funding allocation of $295,000 per year. |
COMMUNITY BOARDS DEVOLVED FUNDING ALLOCATION Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=19731 | |
Recommendation: That Council allocate $50,000 to each community board (Lakes and Rural) per year. | Decision: That council maintains the current level of devolved funding for the lakes and rural boards, ie $125,000 per board per year. |
TARAWERA SEWERAGE SCHEME Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=20964 | |
Recommendation: That Council increase the Rotorua Lakes Council subsidy towards the scheme from $1500 to $2700 per household and continue to work with central government for additional funding in order that the capital cost to the individual may be further subsidised. | Decision: Amended recommendation adopted: That Council increase the Rotorua Lakes Council subsidy towards the scheme from $1500 to $2700 per household and continue to work with central government and Bay of Plenty Regional Council for additional funding in order that the capital cost to the individual may be further subsidised. |
LAKES INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=22333 | |
Recommendation: That Council pause lakes infrastructure enhancement works | Decision: Recommendation adopted: ie pause lakes enhancement works, noting “enhancements” refers to increased levels of service and there will still be the ability to undertake maintenance and renewals if/as needed. |
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE Go to this link in the meeting recording to view this part of the deliberations: https://youtu.be/Oz-j9hNTfuY?t=23321 | |
Recommendation: That Council stop the following transportation infrastructure programmes: rural street improvements ($1.4m), urban street improvements ($2.1m), Maori roadlines and unformed roads ($1.2m), rural seal improvements ($6.3m), and walking and cycling improvements ($3.526m). | Decisions: That Council cease rural street improvements for years 1, 2 and 3 only. That Council cease urban street improvements for years 1, 2 and 3 only. That Council reinstate transportation infrastructure programmes in the area of Māori roadlines and unformed roads from year 1. That Council reinstate rural seal improvements from year 1. That Council cease walking and cycling improvements for years 1, 2 and 3 only. |
Deliberations will continue tomorrow, Friday 7 June, starting at 9.30am in the Council Chamber. [View decisions made on Day 2 of deliberations here: Long-term Plan deliberations Day 2 - Rotorua Lakes Council]
The meeting is open to the public to attend and will also be livestreamed and can be watched live or later via Council’s YouTube channel: Rotorua Lakes Council - YouTube
The deliberations agenda provides an overview and full details about Long-term Plan proposals that were consulted on, options considered, analysis of feedback and recommendations for elected members to consider. The agenda can be found, in 3 parts, at the following links on Council’s website:
public-agenda-council-meeting-6-7-and-10-june-2024.pdf (rotorualakescouncil.nz)
attachment-part-2-to-public-agenda-council-meeting-6-7-and-10-june-2024.pdf (rotorualakescouncil.nz)
ltp-2024-other-feedback.pdf (rotorualakescouncil.nz)
Along with the agenda, other related documents, including submissions received, can be found at this link on Council’s website: Council Livestream - Rotorua Lakes Council
The recording of today's livestreamed deliberations can be viewed onCouncil’s YouTube channel: Rotorua Lakes Council - YouTube
Tomorrow we'll add links directly to the various parts of today's meeting recording so you can go to the matters of most interest to you.