Hearings a chance for submitters to have their say on Te Arawa proposal

With more than 200 people due to speak over five days of Te Arawa Partnership proposal hearings - starting on Thursday (30 April) - Rotorua Lakes Council wants all submitters to have a fair opportunity to express their views.

The council’s Strategy & Partnerships group manager, Jean-Paul Gaston said fronting up and speaking to the council in public can be quite a daunting task for many people.

“We don’t want them to feel intimidated in any way. While it’s a formal process, we want submitters to feel as comfortable and safe as possible, and not have their speaking time affected by others who may hold different views to them.

“People in the public gallery of the Council Chamber will be asked to be respectful and not cheer, jeer or clap during submissions. In addition, banners and placards won’t be allowed in the chamber.”

With a large number of submitters to hear, the mayor, who will be chairing the hearings, will be strictly adhering to proper procedures. Submitters will be encouraged to reinforce their key points and then be available to respond to questions, rather than simply reading out their submissions.

The seven-week period for public feedback closed on 17 April with nearly 1900 submissions lodged with the council. Around 200 of the submitters accepted the invitation to speak directly to the mayor and councillors about their submissions at hearings.

Background information:

· The hearings are scheduled as follows: 10.30am to 5pm on Thursday 30 April; then 9.30am to 5pm on Friday 1 May, Tuesday 5 May, Wednesday 6 May and Monday 11 May. [Dates and actual times are subject to change.]

· Submitters have a total of 10 minutes allocated each. The council is recommending people speak for five minutes and allow five minutes for questions from the mayor and councillors.

· Copies of submissions are on the council’s website - rotorualakescouncil.nz - and have been distributed to elected members to read.

· The council is due to consider all submissions and make a final decision on the Te Arawa Partnership Model proposal at a council meeting scheduled for 26 May.

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