minutes of strategy, policy & finance committee ... › agendasandminutes... · 6/1 3 strategy,...

6/1 1 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee LTP Hearings (cont.)

Doc No.: RDC-550161 15 June 2015

01-15-227 ROTORUA LAKES COUNCIL

MINUTES OF STRATEGY, POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING LONG-TERM PLAN 2015-2025 HEARINGS (CONT.)

HELD MONDAY 15 JUNE 2015 AT 9:30AM (CONTINUED FROM 8, 11 & 12 JUNE 2015)

IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, ROTORUA LAKES COUNCIL

PRESENT: Cr Raukawa-Tait (Chairman) Mayor Chadwick, Cr Bentley, Cr Donaldson, Cr Gould, Cr Hunt (Deputy Chair), Cr Kent, Cr McVicker, Cr Searancke, Cr Sturt and Cr Wepa.

APOLOGIES: Cr Maxwell and Cr Tapsell

OFFICERS PRESENT: G Williams, Chief Executive (part); T Collé, Chief Financial Officer; J-P Gaston, Group Manager Strategy & Partnerships; D Foster, Chief Operating Officer (part); O Hopkins, Governance & Partnerships Manager; R Viskovic, Senior Policy Advisor; H Pearson, Partnership Advisor (part); C Peden, Governance Support Advisor.

The Chairperson welcomed members, media, members of the public and staff to the reconvened meeting.

1. APOLOGIES

The Committee resolved:

That the apologies from Cr Maxwell and Cr Tapsell (for absence) and Cr Bentley (for lateness) be accepted.

Cr Gould/Cr Hunt SPF15/06/043

CARRIED

2. SUBMITTERS

Time Sub No Submitter Additional Information

9.30am 29 David Field Mr Field spoke in support of his submission:

Demolish community house

Relocate tenants

Questioned combining a child health hub with the library.

Retain paper bags for rubbish collection. Q – Was he aware the childrens’ hub with library proposal comes from the Crown providing $6m that the local MP has been able to secure? A – Does that make it right? Why have a child health facility in the middle of an area that is principally for information gathering?


Doc No.: RDC-550161 15 June 2015

Q – If the rubbish bag service was stopped, what would the rural sector want instead? A – He would use the in-town recycling centre in town, but he didn’t know what they would do with rubbish that wasn’t recyclable. It wouldn’t be convenient. Q – Concerning rubbish bins – would it be possible to get a smaller truck down his driveway? A – Yes, but that would be additional work to expect the rubbish trucks to go up each farmer’s drive.

9.45 203 Shirley Hatch Age Concern

Shirley Hatch spoke in support of their partnership agreement application. Q – Has she been taking part in the mature persons’ forum meetings? A – Yes. Q – Will this forum be helpful in providing a steer in identifying needs? A – The emphasis so far seems to have been on individuals rather than organisations representing a wider voice on the community. Q – Do you think a partnership agreement would provide an opportunity for a collaborative approach with Council working for older people? A – She would be very keen to work in collaboration. Age Concern (AC) may come with more specific ideas for services. Q – What sets AC apart from Parksyde services? A – Parksyde is a venue, it does not organise its own activities. AC exists to ensure the dignity and value of older people is maintained. Nationally, AC submits to government for policies which would benefit older persons. Locally, they have been operating:

an elder abuse and prevention of neglect programme in Rotorua,

an accredited visiting service to alleviate loneliness.

a skill service for retirees to join and help others. AC is the brokers and originators of this service.

Q – Is there much overlap with ROSSCO services, and what age does AC deal with? A – 65 years generally (55 years for the Maori population because of health issues). ROSSCO doesn’t provide or undertake services; it seems to be more of a coordinator /support organisation. Q – How does AC network with other organisations helping the elderly? A – They have a council of 7 – 9 people from other organisations. They coordinate mentoring services for youth centre, and mothers of young babies. AC also accepts students from Waiariki to give them work experience.

ATTENDANCE: Cr Bentley joined the meeting at 10am.


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9.55 4 Ross Paterson Western BOP District Council

Mr Ellis and Bill Wheeler spoke to a Powerpoint presentation on TECT Park (Attachment 1). Q – Is he aware that there are 425,000 recreational visits per year to the Whakarewarewa Forest, which is maintained by the Rotorua community? A – They are well aware of Whakarewarewa Forest and the mountainbiking facilities there and they appreciate volumes of visitors. TECT park provides a facility for a range of activities, and provides a home for clubs. Q – Did his council contribute to the Home of Cycling Trust and the Regional Plan? A – He didn’t think so but was unsure. Q – Will operating costs (of TECT Park) come down or go up? A – Will stay about the same, although as memberships go up the income will increase. Q – How much does Tauranga and Western Bay contribute per year, and what is their expected funding for years 16/17 and 17/18? A - $600k net, with $300k provided from each council.

10.10am 175 Ross Swenson Mr Swenson spoke in support of his submission. Cycle lane on Fenton Street to City Focus. His 2 businesses have been affected by parking outside his premises have been removed. 31 car parks have been removed. 16 shops now empty in Hinemoa Street. Service lane cannot be used now for parking – trucks have to park in middle of road. Q – Had he been consulted by Council staff prior to the green corridor being installed? A – No. Q – Were you aware there were several meetings held and there had been letter drops to affected business owners to publicise them? A – He wasn’t there. Q – Had his patronage dropped with changes to liquor law? A – No it’s the lack of parking that has affected his patronage. Q – Does he check out Council’s Facebook page to keep informed? A – Doesn’t use the computer. Q – Is he aware of the number of roads the cycleway crosses? A – He hadn’t seen anyone use the cycleway between Polynesian Pools to City Focus. Need signage on Fenton Street to direct cyclists. Q –Does he support City Focus? A – It had cost a lot of money to install City Focus. Q – Please comment on the decline of his business since the construction of the Green Corridor. A – Their income had dropped by $1k per week.


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10.18am 292 Jamie and Chris Paterson Mrs Paterson spoke in support of their submission, and highlighted:

Rate increases affecting farmers - ‘Dairy Base’ computer calculator shows farmers income less than their expenses this year.

UAGC – Tauranga CC’s UAGC IS $760.

Land use change – jobs lost and people leaving the district. Discretionary spending by all land owners in the Rotorua catchment will be reduced, not just by dairy farmers.

Does not support demolition of Community House – it is an old but strong building and the tenants work together well.

Debt levels

Reducing business differential - that 1% reduction will end up being passed on to higher capital value properties.

City Focus – need activities not just shops to bring people into the city centre.

10.29am 409 Kathy Phillips Mrs Phillips spoke in support of her submission (Attachment 2).

10.40 344 RW Martin Mr Martin spoke in support of his submission:

Ngongotaha deteriorating

Grass not cut over Christmas

Broken cobblestones

Water fountain doesn’t work

A voluntary recycling centre had been installed.

Retain City Focus Q – Re: levels of service - which costs should be cut? A – Council has appointed a staff member to liaise with community organisations. More communication is needed. Q – Why did you indicate ‘no’ to Castlecorp becoming a CCO? A – The management policy there at the moment is quite sufficient. Q – Would he like maintenance of the streetscape improved? A – Yes, and he is concerned about the queues of cars backed up from the Ngongotaha roundabout at peak times. Traffic trying to intersect also a problem. Q - Is he aware what would happen if the UAGC was reduced to $410? A – Yes he is aware - it should stay as it is or go up.

10.49am 345 RW Martin Northdale Holdings Ltd

Mr Martin spoke in support of his written submission. Regarding rural subdivision under Part 13 of the proposed District Plan, he is against denying people the option for smaller sections in rural areas. Minimum section size of 40ha. Changing land use to forestry could potentially cause increase in asthma cases.


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Q – With Rule 11 changes and need for nutrient budgets, changes in land use by the regional council, there is a requirement that he is no longer able to subdivide his property to meet land use changes? A – DP went out with 15ha min subdivision. This was later amended to min 40ha lots over the total district. Those inside the Rotorua catchment were asking for smaller sections to effect land use change. Q – What about some of the agencies – regional council, Federated Farmers, are they supporting their stance? A – Their biggest supporter is the regional council. Q – Is CV rating helping farmers or deterring farming? A – Dairy farmers have a huge capital outlay to get milking sheds up to a particular standard, whereas drystock farmers don’t. Dairy farmers have been very hurt by CV rating and the proposed rates increase.

The hearing adjourned for Morning Tea at 10.50am and reconvened at 11.10am.

ATTENDANCE: Cr Sturt left the meeting at 10.50am.


11.10am 498 Fenella Playne Okareka Trust Partnership

Mrs Playne spoke in support of her written submission and highlighted:

Suggested locals should be able to manage their own rubbish collection on Tarawera Road.

Allow more development on rural properties. More properties = more rates.

Stick to core services – water, waste and rubbish.

Everything else should be user pays, e.g. Aquatic Centre, Library.

11.25am 403 Anthony Prier JPC and Residents

Mr Prier spoke in support of his submission. Footpath connecting JPC and the old McKillop College urgently needs repair or replacement. 1200 students at JPC. Q – What distance is he talking about? A – 100 metres. Q – Currently, where do children cycle to school? A – Over his front lawn Q – Would a shared footpath work? A – Yes but it would have to be widened, which may make it difficult to access services infrastructure. Q – Has he ever phoned the council about the state of the footpath? A – No but he assumes the principal would have done so. Q - Would it work to rip out the existing concrete and cobble it? A – Maybe, but might create some problems for mowers.


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11.35am 431 Tom Donovan Mr Donovan spoke in support of his submission and highlighted:

Decrease debt levels for future generations.

1.41am 95 Tim Cossar Te Puia

Mr Cossar spoke in support of his submission and highlighted:

Tourism market improving.

Additional investment in tourism required.

‘Famously Rotorua campaign’ working but needs Council to work in partnership with tourism operators.

Puarenga Stream health issues.

Southern entrance of Rotorua – encourage improvements on the golf course.

Q - How important is inner city revitalisation for tourism? A - Need a vibrant inner city to encourage visitors. Q – Can he see a time when the partners programme will be fully funded? A – No, but be deliberate about driving the model - use it as leverage to get partnership funding. Q – Could the proposed waste strategy create problems, e.g. environmental, health or safety issues? A – Dumping in the street not collected. Weekly collection better for community presentation, so important for tourism. Q – Heard that partnership funding of $900k was less than what Council had hoped for. Is it a good idea to rely on the tourism industry or impose a targeted rate? A – Some tourism operators are not contributing and those players must come to the table. Q – Regarding the proposal to reduce the business differential to 1.8, how would you address the pressure that Council is coming under to fund capital projects. A –Although the air service to Australia didn’t work, the airport upgrade will potentially allow for the introduction of Rotorua to Chch or Queenstown flights, so the airport has been ‘future proofed’. Focus on promoting Rotorua’s ‘brand’: Maori culture, Spa and Mountainbiking.

11.58am 489 Rex Davis Mr Davis spoke in support of his written submission (Attachment 3).

RESOLVED

That the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 hearings be concluded.

Cr Gould/Cr Hunt SPF15/06/044

CARRIED


Doc No.: RDC-550161 15 June 2015

____________________________

The hearings closed at 12.06pm

____________________________

NB. Rotorua Lakes Council is the operating name of Rotorua District Council


Doc No.: RDC-550161 ATTACHMENT 1 15 June 2015



Oral Submission Rex Davis 15 June 2015 (in addition to submission 489)

In a time such as this I believe people in business have to use real wisdom and discernment in how

they spend their money. With concern on nitrate levels it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure

we take care of our environment today and in the future.

Equally it is very important to be prudent in our spending. All folk either from town or country are

aware of the decrease in pay out for dairying in past seasons as prices are still falling realistically the

40% reduction could be 50% reduction on the 13/14 season. I guess from a voting point of view, a

few hundred farmers compared to a few 1000, 10% of farmers vote compared townspeople is a no

brainer. So you don’t see us as important.

Yes trees and tourism will help Rotorua but I know farmers also spend a lot of money in this town.

In Rotorua we have 1. Gondola sky rides; 2. Redwoods mountain biking; 3. Hamurana Springs and

rainbow trout fishing; 4. Buried Village; 5. Zip line; 6. Tamaki Tours 7. Mitai; 8. Te Puia; 9. Wai-o-

Tapu; 10. Waimangu; 11. Whakarewarewa; 12. Rainbow Springs; 13. Lions at Paradise Valley;

15. Polynesian Pools; 16. Blue Baths; 17. Aquatic Centre; 18. Kuirau Park; 19. Government Gardens

including Rachel Pool; 20. Agridome Ventures encompasses many other activities. The list could go

on, so when we have facilities this good, which is equal to anywhere in New Zealand and is well

known around the world, why would Rotorua consider improving and upgrading when our present

facilities are more than adequate for 60000 or so inhabitants.

I understand our population has not increased or if so very little in past 10 years and unlikely to

change much in the next 10 years. Just 60kms away in Tauranga has increased by in excess of 10%.

Everyone is affected by farmers not being able to spend their money in town for the townspeople

but rates are like tax they must be paid first, even before putting food on the table for our families.

With a 10% increase in population, one would expect with new businesses and housing the rate

intake would also to nearly 10% without any increase to rate demands. Isn’t it sad that my second

highest expense after fertiliser is rates. The fertiliser I use is organic lime and seaweed and both help

to take care of the environment and are environmentally friendly.

I urge this assembly to consider very carefully what is important and what is essential in the next few

years. Consider what is best now and for the future here in our town, Rotorua. I understand some

farmers have rate demands of 50%-60% and more. How can that be substantiated? Maybe some

public honesty.

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