Year in Review: July

Frankee Andrews surveys the damage to his garage after suspected arsonists hit multiple properties on Clayton Rd. Photo/Ben Fraser

The Rotorua Daily Post is taking a look at the stories that happened in 2017. The following are some of the big local news events from July.

- It was announced Rotorua would get a boost in accommodation with two luxury five-star apartments opening at the end of July and five more to open by the end of the year. (July 3)

- The discovery of part of Rotorua's original water supply system, along with rain and soft ground, delayed the completion of the Hemo Rd intersection redevelopment. (July 4)

- It was announced the economic impact of Crankworx on Rotorua was provisionally $4.5 million, with the event racking up its first surplus. (July 7)

- The Rotorua-born "Please Help" app, which lets Android smartphone users raise the alarm and get help when in trouble, was launched at Steam restaurant. (July 12)

- There was a flurry of sleety snow around the CBD and suburbs. (July 14) - The Lakes District Health Board computer system was down after a fire at Rotorua Hospital, which was contained on the hospital's Uninterruptible Power Supplies System. (July 18)

- Clayton Rd residents woke to smoke and flames after a suspected arsonist set two garages on fire, destroying everything inside. (July 24) - It was announced five tonnes of South Korean mud would be imported to Rotorua for use over the first five Mudtopia Festivals at a cost of about $90,000. (July 27)

- Rotorua "made history again" after councillors agreed to go ahead with a proposal that could see Rotorua become the first official bilingual city in New Zealand. (July 28)