Two Hotly Debated Issues Focus Of Locals’ Feedback On Council Plan

Saturday, 17 May 2025, 4:41 pm
Article: Laura Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

May 14, 2025

Ninety-nine Rotorua ratepayers are set to address the council on decisions including sewerage scheme funding and the night market’s future.

Rotorua Lakes Council received 404 public submissions on its draft Annual Plan 2025/26, and will hear from those who wanted to make a verbal submission today and tomorrow.

The two main topics for feedback were Tarawera Sewerage Scheme funding options and the Rotorua Night Market.

The council proposed a 7.95% general average rates rise for the year, down from the projected 9.8%.

It had a capital works programme of $145 million, $41.25m funded by debt.

The Tarawera sewerage reticulation scheme replaces septic tank use and aims to improve the lake’s water quality.

The cost has risen to $32.3m after protests and court action over pipeline construction near Lake Rotokākahi.

Tarawera ratepayers face a lump sum cost of $50,315 per household to connect.

The draft plan offered options to reduce their load by asking $1m or $4m more from general Rotorua ratepayers.

Many submissions supported the $4m option, which would lower Tarawera households’ costs the most.

Among them were Bruce Smith and Anna Stewart-Smith, whose grandchildren were the fifth generation to enjoy their Tarawera family home.

Stewart-Smith’s grandfather purchased land at the lake after World War II, having visited it before.

“We are not wealthy as so many label us. But fortunate.”

She said her family lived as kaitiaki, caring for the land to ensure “its attributes are preserved for future generations”.

“While its protection is the responsibility of all ratepayers, we see that as lake residents, we need to pay for the benefits to our property.”

Others echoed their desire to see cost reduced, having seen estimates escalate over the years. They shared affordability and consultation process concerns, and how Tarawera residents paid rates but did not have perks such as footpaths and street lights other areas had.

At the other end of the opinion spectrum were submitters who believed the scheme should be user-pays, with no extra general ratepayer funding.

One submitter wanting to increase funding by $1m said it was fair that others contributed as all benefitted from improved lake quality.

Former councillor Dr Reynold Macpherson submitted on a range of issues and points for Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers (RDRR).

The group “cautiously” support an extra $1m as the “fairest balance between benefiting Tarawera property owners and shared environmental responsibility”.

The submission labelled the draft rates rise “unjustified” and debt levels “alarming”.

The council had a net debt of $466m in March. It predicted debt in 2025/26 would be 199% of revenue, under its 250% ceiling.

The group wanted the council to stop subsidising the night market entirely, and to instead donate it to a charity by tender.

“[The] council shouldn’t fund nonessential businesses amid acute financial pressures on ratepayers”.

Rotorua’s 15-year-old weekly night market in Tūtānekai St costs about $200,000 to run year-round.

The council considered scaling it back to half a year, changing the location, or having someone else run it with council sponsorship.

One submission asking for it to stay the same said it was well-attended and changing it would impact vendors.

Stall holder Sahar Basir wrote that many vendors were upset at the potential for change.

Shortening it would result in job losses, the current location had good foot traffic, and a new operator would change things such as what vendors paid.

“It is the only event that provides nightlife for Rotorua residents and is one of the most famous attractions for tourists from around the world.”

Submitter David Townsend believed half-yearly was practical as there were fewer tourists around during winter.

Robert Okell said the night market was a business that should be managed by someone else.

Councillors will deliberate on May 28 and adopt the plan on June 25.

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