Council meeting wrap
The final Council meeting of 2024 featured a full agenda with a number of key updates, discussions and decisions.
New committee to reflect ongoing partnership with Te Arawa
A new committee reflecting Rotorua Lakes Council’s ongoing partnership with Te Arawa is an exciting new step in the relationship Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell says.
Approval to establish the Te Arawa 2050 Vision Committee, which was proposed following a joint review of the partnership terms of reference, was given at today’s final Council meeting of 2024.
“This is going to be a very exciting new step in our partnership with Te Arawa [and] of course our ability to deliver for all of Rotorua,” Mayor Tapsell said following the vote.
“We look forward to working alongside Te Tatau of Te Arawa . . . we are sure there will be many benefits that will come from this continued partnership.”
The partnership was set up in 2015 following consultation and saw the establishment of a Te Tatau o Te Arawa board with membership of Te Arawa representatives on council committees. A review of the terms of reference started in 2023.
Today elected members approved the establishment of the new committee, along with committee delegations and terms of reference, the latter to also be approved by Te Tatau o Te Arawa trustees.
The purpose of the Te Arawa 2050 Committee is to advance mutual benefits for both Te Arawa and the Rotorua district, working on projects that align with the goals and aspirations of both partners and providing advice for Council decision-making.
The committee will be recommendatory only, making recommendations to the full Council which would make the final decisions.
The scope of the committee will be focussed on and limited to a maximum of five projects at any given time.
Membership will consist of the Rotorua Mayor and all councillors, the chairperson of Te Tatau and four Te Tatau board members and would meet at least four times a year.
To read the full report on this matter go to p53 of the meeting agenda: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=12817
Springfield Golf Course lease
Elected members today approved the Chief Executive signing, on behalf of Rotorua Lakes Council, the new lease negotiated with the Springfield Golf Club.
The proposed new lease has been signed by the club following final negotiations.
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 meeting agenda: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=1592
Rotorua Housing Plan
Council today approved key priorities and areas of focus for a proposed new housing plan aimed at continuing positive progress for housing across the Rotorua district.
The new plan will shift the focus from emergency housing to ensuring a variety of housing options are built with housing a key focus for achieving Council’s vision of a better Rotorua for all.
Progress to date on improving housing outcomes for locals, including 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 said discussions with housing ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka had been very positive with council and the minister committing to consider a new agreement.
The previous housing accord between the council and government was no longer valid, the mayor said, and her request for a Rotorua-led partnership had received a positive response.
Following today’s approval of the focus for the new housing plan, a draft would be provided to Cabinet for its consideration.
“We hope they will approve and support this so we can really get to work on this,” Mayor Tapsell said.
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 meeting agenda: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=5008
Return of 35 Tarewa Road Pūruru Reserve South
Council approved 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 meeting agenda: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024and see the submissions catalogue from community consultation at the following link: Attachments of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=6952
Business case for attendance at Sydney conference and China roadshow
Council has approved costs for Mayor Tapsell’s attendance at the City Place Nation conference in Sydney (12 and 13 February 2025), at which she will speak, the NRL All Stars 2025 event (14 February 2025), also in Sydney, and following that, joining a RotoruaNZ 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 meeting agenda: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=7419
Local Water Done Well
Council will soon need to decide how it will deliver water services to the district in the future as part of the Government’s requirements under its Local Water Done Well policy and legislation.
Elected members heard from representatives from the Department of Internal Affairs, which is providing advice and administering legislation to support the government’s objectives for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services infrastructure.
The DIA representatives provided an overview of the requirements of Local Water Done Well and discussed matters related to the delivery model options available to councils.
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=15731
Also on the agenda
Rotorua Rural Community Board presentation on allocation of devolved funding: The board implemented a new process this year, asking for ideas from the community for projects to improve local communities and allocating funding to five.
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=915
Adoption of museum exhibition steering group terms of reference: Council approved the establishment of a project steering group to oversee the museum exhibition project, along with terms of reference ensuring effective project governance, quality control and alignment with Council objectives.
To read the full report on this matter go to p114 of the meeting agenda: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=7034
Adoption of updated constitution for InfraCore: An updated constitution was approved to maintain the company should Council decide to do anything with it in future, as a holding position.
To read the full report on this matter go to p124 of the meeting agenda: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=7119
Quarterly non-financial performance report: Council received a report on progress made during the first quarter of the current financial year on measures established within a new framework adopted as part of the Long-term Plan.
To read the full report on this matter go to p50 of the meeting agenda: Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Go directly to this part of the meeting recording via the following link: https://youtu.be/X7q-nKN9wxU?t=6695
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
