NEWS RELEASE

28 March 2018

Final weeks to have your say, on Council’s 10-year plan for Rotorua

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick is pleased with the level of engagement and feedback so far on the local council’s 10-year plan for the district, but is keen to hear from more people across the district.

“Everybody – young and old – has a stake in Rotorua’s future and in what is proposed to continue our district’s progress across the next decade,” the mayor says.

“We’ve had some great engagement and conversations so far on our proposed 2018-28 Long-term Plan, including with youth, and there has been good interest at community meetings but we’re keen to hear from more people in these last two weeks of consultation.”

People have until 13 April to have their say on the Long-term Plan (LTP). It will establish the work that will be done throughout the district across the next 10 years and how it will be funded.

“Elected members have carefully considered what is needed to bring about further change and progress for the benefit of our community. It’s really important we hear what our community thinks to guide us in our final decision-making,” Mayor Chadwick says.

“There is usually an increase in online and written feedback as we get towards the end of consultation and I encourage anyone who hasn’t yet taken the opportunity to look at what’s proposed or consider having their say to do so.”

Mayor Chadwick says the proposed LTP continues the direction set through the district’s 2030 Vision and last year’s refresh of the vision, The Rotorua Way, which established the next “chapter” in the district’s progress, focussed on building on the district’s key strengths.

The proposed LTP includes a major focus on improving existing facilities such as the Aquatic Centre, Rotorua Museum and Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre and infrastructure projects such as wastewater schemes and stormwater and water supply network improvements. Proposals also include three key “big moves”, projects to improve Rotorua’s lakefront, Kuirau Park and forest access and facilities, and a variety of community and neighbourhood enhancement projects throughout the district.

Public consultation and engagement on the LTP opened 5 March and closes 13 April with the LTP to be adopted by Council in June. The new financial year, 2018/19, will be year one of the LTP.

The numbers so far

• 26,000 households throughout the district received information about the proposed LTP;

• 1200 visits by 874 individuals to Council’s online consultation hub Let’s Talk/Korero Mai to access information about the proposed LTP;

• 1000 people engaged at 8 information sessions, 10 youth workshops, 4 information stalls, 10 community meetings and drop-in sessions;

• 381 people have so far provided feedback verbally at community meetings and via youth workshops, online, by email or via quick forms.

Engagement sessions to date have included:

• Information stalls at Rotorua’s Saturday and Sunday markets and Eastside Community day;

• Drop-in sessions and a forum where people were able to speak with elected members;

• Meetings facilitated by the lakes and rural community boards and community organisations in Ngongotaha, Reporoa, Mamaku, Rotoiti, Rotoma;

• Youth forums at secondary schools throughout the district.

Topics of high interest have included Rotorua Museum, housing, growth challenges, infrastructure, rates and funding and the “Big Moves” projects (lakefront development, further enhancement of Kuirau Park and plans for further development of forest access and facilities).

Subject to availability Council staff can, on request, speak to groups or organisations at their meetings.

Upcoming feedback and engagement opportunities

Sunday 1 April (Easter Sunday)

• Information stall: Rotorua Farmers Market, 9am-1pm

• Tarawera community conversation: Community Hall, Spencer Road, 10am-11.30am

Thursday 5 April

• Community conversation: Te Aka Mauri (library building), Haupapa Street, 5pm-pm

Sunday 8 April

• Hui-a-iwi: Taheke Marae, Mourea, 10.30am-1.30pm

Tuesday 10 April

• Okareka community conversation: Lake Okareka Community Hall, 7pm

Want to know more?

Check the engagement schedule on Let’s Talk/Kōrero Mai (rotorualakescouncil.nz/letstalk or rotorualakescouncil.nz/koreromai) for more opportunities to provide feedback and to view consultation information and documents plus feedback options and information.

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