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3 days ago | 
newstalkzb.co.nz | Laura Smith
Richard Diamond accused the council of “incompetence” for delaying the removal of a rotting tree. The tree was not felled until months after Diamond reported the rot. The council acknowledged the delay and promised improvements in communication and co-ordination for future issues. The neighbour of a Rotorua public reserve has claimed council “incompetence” in dealing with a large, rotting tree he feared could have endangered his family.
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3 days ago | 
nzherald.co.nz | Laura Smith
Richard Diamond alerted the council to a rotting tree months before it was cut down. Photo / Laura SmithRichard Diamond accused the council of “incompetence” for delaying the removal of a rotting tree. The tree was not felled until months after Diamond reported the rot. The council acknowledged the delay and promised improvements in communication and co-ordination for future issues.
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1 week ago | 
nzherald.co.nz | Laura Smith
More court action looks to be in store for Rotorua’s council as groups opposing a controversial sewerage scheme seek a judicial review. The Rotokākahi Board of Control would also look to appeal an Environment Court decision this month that enabled work on the about $32 million Tarawera Sewerage Scheme to restart. The board oversees the iwi-owned private Lake Rotokākahi and has protested the pipeline being built nearby in an area considered wāhi tapu - sacred land.
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1 week ago | 
nzherald.co.nz | Laura Smith
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1 week ago | 
rnz.co.nz | Laura Smith
Prominent alcohol retailers have voiced opposition to a proposed freeze on new off-licences opening in Rotorua. A medical officer of health has backed the freeze, saying alcohol-related harm in the city has worsened since the Covid pandemic to rates above the national average. Rotorua Lakes Council's draft local alcohol policy proposed the freeze would last three years and apply to applications for off-licences - bottle stores, supermarkets, and grocery stores.
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1 week ago | 
nzherald.co.nz | Laura Smith
Councillors heard public submissions on the draft policy last week. Other changes proposed included requiring any new off-licences within 200m of a wider range of sensitive facilities to conduct pre-application engagement. Sensitive facilities include places of worship, residential activity, youth centres, rehabilitation treatment centres, community hubs, educational places, hospitals, marae or urupā. Reducing operating hours was also proposed.
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1 week ago | 
rnz.co.nz | Laura Smith
Work to lay the final kilometre of pipeline in a controversial sewerage scheme near Rotorua will restart on Monday. It is the last section of the Rotorua Lakes Council's Tarawera Sewerage Scheme, with 23km of pipeline already completed for Stage 1. The second stage will connect some 450 homes to the pipeline which will replace the use of septic tanks, which is aimed to improve lake health.
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1 week ago | 
nzherald.co.nz | Laura Smith
CCS Disability Action Rotorua Access Group committee chairman Reverend Timothy Lee at Rotorua Lakes Council. Photo / Laura SmithRotorua Lakes Council’s first accessibility policy aims to improve access and inclusion for the disability community. The policy includes building projects, events, and services, with a focus on engaging the disability community. Advocate Reverend Timothy Lee hopes for stricter building rules and sees potential for accessible tourism growth.
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2 weeks ago | 
nzherald.co.nz | Laura Smith
Work to lay the final kilometre of pipeline in a controversial sewerage scheme near Rotorua will restart on Monday. It is the last section of the Rotorua Lakes Council’s Tarawera Sewerage Scheme, with 23km of pipeline already completed for stage one. The second stage will connect 450 homes to the pipeline, which will replace the use of septic tanks and is aimed at improving lake health. The works were fragmented by protests and various court actions.
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2 weeks ago | 
nzherald.co.nz | Laura Smith
Rotorua’s Safe City Guardians are extending their reach with e-bike patrols. The guardians work from the Rotorua Lakes Council Inner City Community Safety Hub in the CBD and for the last few weeks have added in e-bike patrols. Safe City Guardians team leader Robert Severne said the bikes offered another tool for the team. “Gives us more scope to go further out into extended areas.”He said the team was trained to use them, went in pairs and were kitted with first aid packs.
