From the meeting - Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee
11 August 2022
From the meeting - Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee
Committee supports recommendations of Reserves Proposal
Today Council’s Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee received a report from Council staff which summarised community feedback and made recommendations to Council on the proposal to dispose of 10 identified reserve sites. The proposal aims to address issues with council’s open space network and improve open space and recreation outcomes for the Rotorua community.
The report focused on the value/utility of reserves within the wider reserve network, recognising the potential for demand change over time. The requirement to re-invest all proceeds from any reserve disposal provides a critical opportunity to provide neighbourhood reserves in places where there is a current under-provision.
It was recommended to Council that any reserves considered for revocation and disposal be through a two-step process: (1) a first right of refusal and (2) formal Expressions of Interest (EOI) process with EOI criteria to be confirmed in the subsequent Council meeting on 25 August.
The SP&F Committee recommended to Council their decision for each identified reserve site as follows:
Wrigley Road Reserve (part) – Revoke status of part of the reserve and partner with KTTToF to progress housing development (noting this recommendation requires a Local Bill to progress)
High Street Reserve (part) - Work with the Kindergarten to explore options for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site to that improves outcomes for the kindergarten and the function, quality and accessibility of the reserve, noting that any proceeds of sale will be required to improve the quality of the retained reserve area.
171 Clinkard Avenue - Direct sale to Kāinga Ora (noting this recommendation requires a Local Bill to progress)
Turner Drive Reserve (part) - Progress two stage process for disposal and development of part (reduced to 50%) of the site and direct reinvestment into Turner Drive Reserve and Western Heights (noting requires Local Bill to progress).
Park Road Reserve (part) - Progress two stage process for disposal and development of part of the site (as proposed) and direct reinvestment into Park Road Reserve and Western Heights.
Steeles Lane Reserve (part) - Retain reserve as likely unfeasible for development
Gallagher Street Reserve – Progress two stage process for disposal and development of the site, with proceeds to be used to improve quality of other reserves in vicinity.
Linton Park West (part) 1 Kamahi Road – Site to have reserve status revoked but decision on disposal or development is parked pending further investigation and discussions are undertaken with the Linton Park Community Centre, mana whenua and the wider community.
Lee Road Reserve – Retain reserve.
Coulter Road Reserve (part) - Retain reserve. Staff to work with community to identify opportunities to improve this reserve.
What happens next?
The SP&F Committee noted the long delay in revoking reserve status under the Reserves Act, as well as the lack of Council control over Crown owned reserves, and recommended that Council direct the Chief Executive to pursue a draft local bill that achieves the recommendations for each of the identified reserve sites.
The Expression of Interest process will ensure transparent selection of the best developer to meet Council’s identified objectives. This will include ensuring a mix of social and affordable homes appropriate to the local neighbourhood and supporting local jobs. The mana whenua options reflects the view that Iwi want to lead positive housing outcomes for those in need.
These recommendations from the SP&F Committee will be presented to Council at their meeting on Thursday 25 August.
To read the full report on this matter go to p35 of the meeting agenda.
To view the presentation on this matter click HERE.
Watch this part of the meeting HERE.
Today’s meeting was livestreamed and you can view the recording via THIS LINK on Council’s YouTube channel.
Committee recommends Council adopt Development Contributions Policy
Today Council’s Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee considered feedback and recommendations on a proposed Development Contributions Policy with the majority of Committee members voting in favour of Council adopting the Policy with suggested amendments from 1 September 2022, with an implementation date of 1 December 2022.
Council’s DCE Organisational Enablement, Thomas Collé, presented the report to the Committee and highlighted that the question the Committee was being asked to consider was who should pay for the additional infrastructure needed to support growth – ratepayers or developers?
Mr Collé explained that development contributions are charges set out in the Local Government Act, applied to new developments and rejuvenated brownfield developments, they can be applied at any stage in the process (subdivision, building consent or service connection), and can only be used to fund new growth-related infrastructure projects identified in Council’s Long-term Plan.
Development contributions are different to financial contributions set under the Resource Management Act and most councils in New Zealand now have some type of development contribution charge.
The reintroduction of development contributions in Rotorua is being considered due to the growth the district is currently experiencing (a previous Development Contributions Policy was phased out in the 2014/15 financial year). Mr Collé explained that there is a significant number of new dwelling and consents being applied for, a need to create up to 6000 new homes, large developers are waiting on new stormwater infrastructure to allow their developments to go ahead, and to support this in the next ten year cycle, within the Long-term Plan, $60 million of expenditure has been allocated to this growth. Development contributions could fund around half of that.
The need for development contributions has been signalled in Council’s last two Long-term Plans and between 16 May and 16 June this year Council sought feedback on a draft Development Contributions Policy, with hearings held in July. Consultation aimed to test who the community thought should pay for growth in Rotorua – developers or ratepayers.
During the consultation period, 60 submissions were received on the draft Policy. 32 were in support of developers paying for growth, 12 were in support of ratepayers paying for growth, 8 were against the reintroduction of a Development Contributions Policy, and 8 didn’t specify if they were for or against the reintroduction of a Policy.
Today the majority of the Committee voted in favour of recommending Council adopt the Development Contributions Policy with suggested amendments from 1 September 2022, with an implementation date of 1 December 2022, and that the Western Stormwater Charge be capped at 15% in relation to amendments made to Stormwater Catchment areas.
The full Council will make a final decision on the Policy at their meeting on Thursday 25 August 2022.
View the full report on page 29 of today’s meeting agenda HERE.
View supporting documents on Council’s website HERE.
Watch this part of the meeting HERE.
Today’s meeting was livestreamed and you can view the recording via THIS LINK on Council’s YouTube channel.