Tourism Board Gets A Shake Up

Tourism has always been big business for Rotorua and since 1992 the Tourism Advisory Board has been in place to help promote the business of tourism.  Recently this group of elected representatives from within the tourism industry and including three council representatives has recognised that it is time to update the boards structure.  Tourism is a fast changing industry and the demands and challenges of this market-place require a new way of  thinking.

A full independent review of the Destination  Rotorua Tourism Board has been completed  with presentations made to RDC Councillors, current Tourism Board members and others from within the industry. Feedback is now being sought in order to make a recommendation to council .

If you have an opinion on this issue , now is the time to have your say on the direction the board needs to take.  Please take the time to read the report get an idea of what others are doing around the country and help formulate a uniquely Rotorua model.

To make a submission on any of the recommendations please click here or visit the Have Your Say section of the Homepage of the RDC website www.rdc.govt.nz where you can complete an online submission form. 

Mobile Traders: Where And When?

Many of us have stopped at road-side stalls to buy items on offer,  especially seasonal produce in bulk supply. Think flowers, avocados and asparagus. Often these are spur of the moment decisions as opposed to a planned shopping trip.  An aspect of them being in the right place at the right time.

Itinerant traders or hawkers are a part of many communities, most often selling perishable goods out of a truck or similar vehicle.  These range from fruit and vegetables to flowers and fresh fish. In Rotorua the Council has allocated specific sites and an annual fee is payable for a license to operate. While the numbers are small, the Council has stipulations based on a number of issues about safety, speed of traffic and parking for example.

This can become a problem when a local rate-paying business notices that  a nearby mobile shop is in direct competition with them and is in effect able to undercut them due to fewer overheads.

This issue raises many questions for our community around how we define a mobile trader.  Is someone parking Monday to Friday 9-5 am itinerant, or are they taking unfair advantage of a policy that gives them access to a market without paying the usual business expenses of rent, wages and rates?

It is clear to me that margins are tight in retail and businesses are under constant pressure to make ends meet. I believe it is important that our policies support and protect our business ratepayers.

A review of this policy will be underway soon and I welcome your feedback on this issue.  

No Bins In Sight, More Of The Same Planned

The final debate was held today to determine what, if any changes are to be made towards reducing the amount of our waste that goes to landfill.

Yes you guessed it.  A vote of 7 to 5 has given us more of the same.

Sadly, the goal of decreasing the volume of domestic waste sent to landfill was over-shadowed by issues that other communities have managed to get their heads around. RDC will not be offering kerbside recycling to our community.

The in-town facility will be enlarged and a satellite station will be provided at Ngongotaha. Good news for Ngongotaha and Kaharoa residents. Not such good news for those that can’t or won’t go to either of these places.

While the  planned improvements should make my visits there more pleasant, I doubt it will encourage anyone who doesn’t already recycle to start now.

 I sincerely thank all of you for your submissions on this issue and I don’t for a minute believe this is the last time we will debate this in our community.

 

 

 

Community Restoration

Last night at Green Drinks a small crowd was updated on  the grass roots community gardens project led by Denise La Grouw.  Now Denise is quick to point out that she is just part of a team, however success stories like this always have someone with vision and passion driving them. After a number of years this group of dedicated volunteers has established the Hannah’s Bay Community Restoration Trust.  Their vision: building communities that work together holistically.

Already  through word of mouth a large number of schools have taken part, learning how to plant seeds, build gardens and work collectively. All of the gardens are made from recycled objects. From old tires to broken wooden pallets, discarded objects find a second and third use. Both local and regional councils have been helpful, as have the Periodic Detention crews assisting in the heavier work required.

The establishment of the trust has enabled the group to seek funding as the demand for community involvement in everyone's own neighborhood is increasing.  If you have not seen what is happening down there, take a walk around the Hannah's Bay Reserve and if you are interested in assisting or making a donation to the trust see contact details below.

Denise La Grouw

Coordinator
Hannah’s Bay Community Restoration Trust (charitable status)

34 Willow Avenue

Hannah's Bay

Rotorua

Ph (07) 345-5592

denisel@clear.net.nz

Bank account details:  Kiwibank 389010-034530-00

Quotes from Denise … what is important is that we develop caring communities – you only love what you know and you only protect what you love.  Kei te pai … all you can do is keep moving forward with a passion for engaging whole communities in feeling a sense of guardianship for the planet that we share – our home.