Political Ups An Downs: November 2015

Steam n Mud published this kind piece, showcasing some of the successes of the Inner City Revitalisation Strategy, while also teasing out some of the challenges faced when trying to bring about change.

Feature: New Council Look

Rotorua Model Inspires New Plymouth: September 2015

In September 2015, the Taranaki Daily News very favourably referenced Rotorua's inner city revitalisation strategy as an example of where they should be heading.

The job is not finished, but it's gratifying to see that other cities are noticing our progress.

New Plymouth CBD under the spotlight.

 

Newsmaker Article: September 2014

The Rotorua Daily Post was kind enough to include me in their series about local newsmakers.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to talk a little about my background and current interests.

Newsmaker: Karen Hunt.

Back On Line

Seems like just yesterday I was contributing regularly to this blog.  Not surprisingly, it was almost three years ago. 

With elections looming again, it feels like time to resurrect things and commit to posting here from time to time.

With Facebook I'll post short, lighter items, but here I hope to go into a little more depth about significant local issues and news I think need to be highlighted.  As the election approaches, I'll post copies of statements and comments that I prepare for various publications and purposes.

In the meantime, I'll be posting a few catchup items from the media  over the last year or so.  I hope these will give some idea of the work I've been doing for Rotorua, my level of commitment and the issues I hold dear.

Thanks for checking in; I hope you find some items of interest here.

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.