A TV broadcast showing appalling scenes of intimidation, violence, misery and crime in Rotorua's emergency housing illustrates the government's utter fa
Letters to the editor: Council should enforce Resource Management Act on itself
4 May, 2021 09:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Rotorua Lakes Council. Photo / File
Rotorua Daily Post
So, Rotorua Lakes Council knew motels housing people for more than 28 days was breaching the district plan and therefore its own obligations under the Resource Management Act. In my view, one could assume the council would have preferred this remain under the radar. However, unfortunately for council, barrister Kevin Badcock unearthed this hands-off approach.
The mayor previously said it was not the council s business to tell motel operators who they could and could not rent their premises to.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay urges council to tell Rotorua moteliers no more emergency housing
5 May, 2021 06:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo / File
Rotorua MP Todd McClay is demanding the council put a sinking lid on the number of people living in emergency accommodation in the city s motel. The call comes after it was revealed emergency housing stays in motels longer than 28 days breached the Rotorua Lakes Council s district plan.
McClay said the council should not be seen to be allowing the breaches to continue and should be urgently contacting all moteliers to say no more emergency housing guests .
Lawyer says Rotorua s emergency housing breaches council s district plan
29 Apr, 2021 06:00 PM
7 minutes to read
Rotorua barrister Kevin Badcock. Photo / Kelly Makiha
Putting people in emergency housing for longer than 28 days in some Rotorua motels is breaching the city s district plan, a Rotorua barrister says. Rotorua MP Todd McClay said the lawyer s legal opinion showed the Government was trying to sweep Rotorua s homeless problem under the rug.
Rotorua Lakes Council admitted it was aware of the problem - pointing out it was not just an issue for Rotorua - but said it would not change the district plan. The council said it was working with Government agencies and ministers on a solution.