Editorial: Making way forward at pace

Cr Mike McVicker

It's proving to be an intense few weeks for our local council.

First came the name change: The Rotorua District Council is now known as Rotorua Lakes Council.

Views have been mixed, and even the councillors voting on the change late last month were split 7-5.

Critics questioned not only the lack of consultation but also the whole reason for making the change.

But it was only days before another issue shifted everyone's focus.

Last Thursday we reported on plans for a "green corridor" through the central city, a shared-use route linking green spaces and cycleways on either side of the CBD.

Again views were mixed and again councillors voting on the proposal were split, 6-5.

As we've noted before, councillors who voted against the plan said while they support it in principle, they're not happy with what they saw as a lack of public consultation and a rushed decision.

Whether or not the consultation that has been done over time was sufficient matters little in the eyes of those who feel it wasn't.

Many CBD retailers we've spoken to say they knew nothing about the green corridor just days before the council vote.

Consultation is also a key factor in the issue of iwi representation in Rotorua.

We reported yesterday the council is to discuss the Te Arawa Partnership model next week.

Te Arawa has been holding hui on the proposal during the past few months, but councillor Mike McVicker told the Rotorua Daily Post there should be public consultation. This may be a good point, but if the public are to give their views they should have a better idea exactly what it is they are expressing their views on, and that is yet to be decided.

A lot does seem to be happening at once, and it's great that we have a dynamic, decisive city leadership that is getting things done, and quickly. But the council does need to consider that not everyone is comfortable with such rapid change.