Rotorua Business Featured

For those of you who missed it, a Kaharoa business on the outskirts of Rotorua was the feature story in last week’s Country Calendar on TV1 on 28^th September. 

Diane Coleman and her business, Treeline Nursery were the star attraction with Landcare Okareka in a supporting role.

Diane won the Enterprising Rural Women Award 2013.  Her story is a reminder that finding a niche market, providing quality products and great teamwork will pay off.   Interestingly all of her staff are women, other than her husband.

Treeline Nursery grows native plants.  The seeds are harvested from good quality stock in the bush and the details of each species are known and tracked.  This is important, as certain conditions require plants with certain strengths.  These plants are used extensively to regenerate stream margins, to improve lake water quality by reducing farm runoff and to provide native habitat for the birds and bees.

Diane has created a successful business that supports sustainable environmental goals.  She provides good quality native plants, adding to the increase in bird song, regeneration of native fish and the over-arching goal of improving lake water quality for the many diverse communities in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes catchment.

Both the Rotorua District Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council are customers.  These councils actively support community groups like Landcare Okareka in the planting of native species in their community.  The BOP Regional Council assists Landcare Okareka with a Biodiversity Management Plan with additional assistance from the Rotorua District Council Parks and Reserves Department.

The Okareka walkway is a great example of this.  Most recently, planting happened around and above the sewerage pump station and the Lake Okareka Scenic reserve on Okareka Loop Road.

See the show here http://tvnz.co.nz/country-calendar/s2013-ep28-video-5590988 

Any community group that wishes to clean up an area and has a project they would .ike support with can contact either www.boprc.govt.nz or www.rdc.govt.nz.

In 90 Days....

 

[This was published in today's edition of the Rotorua Review.] 

What one change would you expect to have implemented after 90 days in the role? 

Improvements in how we consult will be an initial focus.  We are bound by regulations, however there is much more to consultation than just meeting these requirements. We need more promotion, better facilitation and robust discussion before Council presents a preferred outcome.  We can and must improve in this area.

Questions from the Chamber

[The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce posed these questions to Council candidates.  Here are my responses.]

What is your position on the Eastern Arterial? What is your suggested way forward with this project? 

I support the Eastern Arterial.   Development, resulting in congestion and escalating safety issues on Te Ngae Road has reached a point where a solution must be found.    The EA is a project the whole community must be involved in and we must continue to talk to iwi to find a way forward. 

What is your opinion on how we can bring back life to Inner City Rotorua, the CBD? 

The CBD is disappearing , it  has served us well in the past and now the time has come to reinvent this space.  How we shop, live, and spend our leisure time has all changed and our inner city in order to survive must also change.   Everyone is facing this issue in one form or another, what direction we choose to go will be what sets us apart as a destination and the place we call home.  Philanthropic investment is required as well as investment by the council.  We are all in this together and it is our combined drive, vision and investment that is required.  Please see the link below to give you some idea of what is possible if you dare to dream.

http://www.treehugger.com/cars/biggest-bicycling-infrastructure-achievement-north-america-youve-never-heard-about.html 

What suggestions would you make to better manage the overall debt level of Rotorua District Council? 

This council has recognised that we must reduce debt, a debt reduction policy is now in place.  A systematic review needs to be undertaken by the new Chief Financial Officer.  Local Government have not made understanding how councils use debt very easy to understand. Therefore it is very difficult to compare debt across regions and know what is well managed and what is of concern.  A better understanding of what debt fits where will help the community during the annual plan process.  Debt is cyclical, and we are currently at  the point of discomfort following a major financial crisis.  

What policies do you believe Rotorua District Council should consider to encourage growth in business and employment in the Rotorua region? 

RDC should continue to support the work of GROW ROTORUA and work collaboratively with the wider BOP. Actively seek relocation of major companies using our favourable housing market and work life integration as incentives.  Continue to build on the successful  partnerships established  with  Scion, Red Stag, Waiariki and others to rebrand our city as the best place to relocate or establish a new business. 

What do you consider is the number one issue that will face the new Council during the next term of office? What is your position on that issue? 

The community have asked for changes and therefore taking the pulse of the community will be vital.  A willingness to ask and really listen to what people  want and what concerns them.  Significant improvements in transparency,  greater inclusion and increased collaboration with the residents. This will require some changes for Council and an update of our communication strategy will be required to ensure the respect of the community.

Practically: Essential new drainage site required for our waste water.  Revitalising the Inner City.  Reducing our debt.  Supporting rural landowners facing serious economic restrictions due to nutrient reductions required.  Believing in our greatness as a city. 

What added value and contribution do you consider you would make to the Council if elected? 

I have an open and enquiring mind, I am genuinely interested in people and I have the best interests of the city at heart.  I take my role seriously, I keep myself informed on a wide range of issues and I am a pragmatist.  Doing what is right is important.  I respect the opinion of others and am open to learning from them.   I keep abreast of international trends and I believe this gives me a wider, more global perspective to bring to the council table.  I am a visionary and I see part of my role is to plant the seeds of change,  shift paradigms and at the very least challenge entrenched  beliefs.

Four "Easy" Questions

[The Rotorua Daily Post asked Council Candidates to respond to four questions.  Responses have been published over the last few days.  Here are mine.] 

What do you think is the biggest issue facing Rotorua right now? 

Stimulating economic growth is vital to attract investment, support job creation across the region and increase prosperity.  Development of innovative business opportunities in our manufacturing geothermal, forestry, and agricultural sectors will bring people and investment into Rotorua resulting in a more attractive, vibrant and resilient city for current and future residents.

 

Should we be reducing debt or building infrastructure? 

Debt reduction is a priority as tough economic times have raised ratepayers concern. We must act on these concerns but remember that debt is a tool to share the cost of infrastructure over generations. Some vital infrastructure must be built.

Goal: a level of debt we can accept as a city. 

How would you breath new life into the Central Business District? 

Recognise the inevitable changes in shopping and lifestyles. Our inner city is too big. Take the opportunity to significantly redesign our heart. Create green space linking Government Gardens with Kuirau Park. Keep asking our residents what they want, work with them to achieve what’s possible. Think outside the square.

Why do you stand out as a better candidate? 

I am already on Council and have learnt how to be effective there. I am honest, reliable and dedicated.  I am approachable, a good listener and a quick learner. I remain open to new ideas and everyone’s point of view.  I work hard to improve our city.  

Review Responses

[The Rotorua Review asked for my response to two questions to be published in their editions on 3rd September and 17th September.  Here they are, each in just 50 words!]


Vision for Rotorua: 
My future Rotorua - City of Cycles, attracting major companies adopting work-life balance, favourable house prices and proximity to all amenities.  A rebirth of the inner city heated geothermally.  Innovative crops like hops, tea and truffles; a science hub for forestry and freshwater.  A sculpture trail attracting record visitor numbers.

The Number One Concern I am hearing from voters and my plan to address it: 

Consultation: Different groups have varied issues, but the same concern. Grey Power - debt; Cyclists - safe cycle routes; Retailers - inner city vibrancy; Farmers - remaining economically viable.  All of these groups feel disconnected from decision-making. Overhaul our consultation model. Major improvements needed in listening and talking to you.

Change. It Happens!

[Written for this year's September issue of Ngnongotaha News] 

Change is coming, whether we like it or not.

We welcome some changes while others seem forced upon us.  Some take a while to get used to, others not.  Some changes happen naturally and others require our energy and input to achieve.

Changes are on the way in our community, in our environment and around our council table.

Statistics tell us that the average age of our community is increasing.  We don’t yet know what our aging population will want and need, but we can be sure that it won’t be just more of the same.

People of all ages are asking for change, especially our young people. Quite rightly, many of these changes are being led by community groups who want more say in how their community develops.  This needs to be encouraged and supported by those in local and national politics.

Our environment is changing, mostly for the better.  Stream replanting and significant changes in farming practices are having a positive impact on lake water quality.  These changes have been hard-won and at some cost to the farming community.  Thanks to cooperative efforts, I believe we are on the right track.

Local government in Rotorua will be changing on October 12^th.  The sad passing of Maureen Waaka and the departure of Maggie Bentley create room for two new councilors.  How much more change is up to you.

We have the opportunity to get some new thinking around the council table. New people bring new ideas; they challenge entrenched beliefs. They look with fresh eyes and they remind us exactly why we have elections every three years. All groups benefit from a balance of experienced and new members.  The Council is no exception.

Make sure you vote to get the sort of change you want.

Thank you for your support.

Cr Karen Hunt.

City of Cycles: What Are We Waiting For?

[Finally, here's Number Five of my "Top Five Issues" listed on the vote.co.nz website] 

Rotorua is officially recognised as the 8^th best mountain biking destination in the world.  It's the undisputed home of mountain biking in NZ and this is just the beginning.

Our part of the national cycle way is called "Thermal by Bike" or "Te Ara O Ahi."  It takes riders through some of the most unique landscapes in the world.  We can offer both locals and visitors a safe cycling environment second to none. 

I believe we have the opportunity to build significantly onto this reputation and further raise our cycling profile.We have an ideal city for cyclists of all ages and styles, with our flat inner city, close proximity to food and entertainment, the museum, the lake, the forest and hot spas.  We have already created some safe cycling links from the suburbs into town.

What we need next is a complete overhaul of cycle-ways across and through the inner city.  Imagine a city full of bikes, where pedestrians and cycles had safe passage away from cars; where it was easier to walk or bike than drive.

As a motorist, imagine fewer cars on the road and not having to be on the lookout for cyclists around every bend.

Making Rotorua the City of Cycles is within our grasp and I need your support to help make this happen.

Don't believe cycling has a future here?  Check these out:

http://www.treehugger.com/cars/biggest-bicycling-infrastructure-achievement-north-america-youve-never-heard-about.html

http://www.smh.com.au/national/bike-riders-save-economy-21-on-each-commute-20130730-2qxdg.html