On the Council agenda
Working group proposes new committee to reflect Te Arawa partnership
A new committee is being proposed following a review of the partnership agreement between Rotorua Lakes Council and Te Arawa.
The partnership was officially formed in 2015 following consultation and resulted in the establishment of Te Tatau o Te Arawa with membership of Te Arawa representatives on council committees.
A review has been jointly undertaken by the council and Te Tatau, resulting in a recommendation to establish a Te Arawa 2050 Vision Committee.
When it meets next week Council will be asked to approve the establishment of the new committee, along with committee delegations and terms of reference. The latter would also need to be approved by Te Tatau o Te Arawa trustees.
The purpose of the Te Arawa 2050 Committee being proposed by the joint working group that has undertaken the partnership review, is to advance mutual benefits for both Te Arawa and the Rotorua district.
The committee would seek to facilitate meaningful engagement and effective implementation of initiatives that align with the strategic goals outlined in the Te Arawa 2050 Vision, where they align with the community outcomes being sought by Rotorua Lakes Council.
It is proposed that the new committee would operate as a committee of council, providing a collaborative forum for joint action on matters related to the Te Arawa 2050 Vision and Rotorua Lakes Council’s long-term and annual plans. To facilitate successful completion of major projects in that space, it is proposed the scope of the committee be focussed and limited to a maximum of five projects at any given time.
It is proposed membership of the committee consist of the Rotorua Mayor and all councillors, the chairperson of Te Tatau and four Te Tatau board members, convening a minimum of four times a year.
To read the full report on this matter go to p53 of the agenda for next week’s Council meeting: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Rotorua Housing Plan
Council is working on a Rotorua Housing Plan to continue positive progress for housing across the district.
Housing is a key focus for achieving Council’s vision of a better Rotorua for all.
Council will be updated on the approach taken to develop a draft housing plan when it meets next Wednesday and will be asked to endorse proposed key priorities and areas of focus.
A report for next week’s meeting notes significant progress has been made in recent years to address Rotorua housing challenges and improve housing outcomes for locals. This includes reducing the use of motels for emergency housing, expanding social housing, addressing infrastructure needs, planning rules that are more enabling for development, and a Future Development Strategy.
Mayor Tania Tapsell has more recently had discussions and correspondence with housing ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka on a new approach to support housing and growth in Rotorua, with a shift in focus from emergency housing to ensuring a variety of housing options are built.
There is support for a community-led approach and government commitment to housing solutions. The council was asked to identify its key housing priorities and areas of focus through development of a Housing Plan.
Council staff have moved quickly to develop a draft plan to ensure the council can effectively leverage the potential opportunity as a government housing priority area.
The new plan will replace He Papakāinga, He Hāpori Taurikura - A Strategy for Homes and Thriving Communities, adopted in 2021, and will have a broader approach than the previous government’s Housing Accord which had a focus on emergency housing.
The draft Rotorua Housing Plan is intended to be delivered in two distinct tranches and identifies priorities and key actions to address known challenges, enable greater housing delivery and support the local economy.
To read the full report on this matter go to p43 of the agenda for next week’s Council meeting: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Also on the agenda
Springfield Golf Course lease: Elected members will be asked to approve the Chief Executive signing the lease negotiated with the club, on behalf of Rotorua Lakes Council.
The proposed new lease has been signed by the club and is now in the final process of awaiting sign-off by council’s chief executive.
The club has accepted the carry-over of most general terms from the previous lease and an alternative use clause. The club and council have also agreed to a lease start date of 1 January 2026 and annual rental starting at $15,000.
Council was approached by the club in April 2021 seeking a new lease to provide ongoing security with the current lease expiring in 2027 and having no right of renewal.
In September 2024 Council resolved to offer a 30-year lease that includes an alternative use clause that can be enacted after eight years, with two years’ notice, if the land is needed for an alternative recreation use or stormwater mitigation.
To read the full report on this matter go to p20 of the agenda for next week’s Council meeting: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Return of 35 Tarewa Road Pūruru Reserve South: Council is being asked to approve handing back ownership of the Pūruru South Recreation Reserve at 35 Tarewa Road to the trust representing the people of Taharangi Marae. This follows engagement with iwi, community consultation and a hearing and is part of the Heads of Agreement with Te Paiaka Lands Trust and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara that recognises the importance of a number of significant cultural sites to Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara including the Pūruru North Reserve, Pūruru South Reserve and the Karamū Tākina Springs among others.
To read the full report on this matter go to p110 of the agenda for next week’s Council meeting: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024 and see the submissions catalogue from community consultation at the following link: Attachments of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Business case for attendance at Sydney conference and China roadshow: Council is being asked to approve costs for Mayor Tapsell’s attendance at the City Place Nation conference in Sydney (12 and 13 February 2025) and the NRL All Stars 2025 event (14 February 2025), and her attendance at the China roadshow to promote Rotorua (17 February to 1 March 2025). Sponsorship and discounted fees have reduced the costs associated with these attendances which would be $600 and $2750 respectively.
Income generate by hosting international delegates visiting Rotorua Lakes Council is used to cover this type of travel so there would be no direct cost to ratepayers.
To read the full report on this matter go to p144 of the agenda for next week’s Council meeting: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Quarterly non-financial performance report: Local authorities are required to report on how well they are performing in delivering levels of service they have set out in their Long-term Plans, as measured by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
To read the full report on this matter go to p50 of the agenda for next week’s Council meeting: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
View the full agenda for next Wednesday’s Council meeting on council’s website: Council Meeting - 11/12/2024 - Rotorua Lakes Council
The meeting is open to the public to attend and is scheduled to start at 9.30am. It will also be livestreamed and can be watched live or later via Council’s YouTube channel: Rotorua Lakes Council - YouTube
