Letters: Mixed reaction to refurbished Rotorua library

Rotorua's new library has drawn strong opinions from users. Photo / File

I disagree with your correspondent Pauleen Wilkinson (Letters, March 8) with regard the design of the new library; I love its striking modernity and its bright, open plan nature.

I have to contradict myself, however, and say that I did also enjoy the intimacy of the old site. I have also witnessed helpful, smiling "greeters" upon entering so no "chasing around for assistance".

What I am unhappy about though is the signage, or lack thereof. Downstairs is Fiction, that's easy, authors in alphabetical order. However, upstairs there is a total lack of signage; there is nothing either above the shelves, nor at their ends. It is only when looking directly at each shelf can one see a label positioned as like a book on the shelf. For a newly designed building this is disappointing and I assume will be addressed at some point.

WILLIAM WRIGHT
Rotorua

Thank you to your correspondent Pauleeen Wilkinson (Letters, March 8) for voicing her opinion on the refurbished public library.

I fully agree that parking options are poor, and, in this respect, the Rotorua Lakes Council must go back to the drawing board.

However, with respect to the library itself, I couldn't disagree more with your correspondent.

In my view, the ambience is warm, colourful, spacious and modern, in comparison with the gloomy, cluttered, temporary library.

Though your correspondent complains at the lack of a reception desk, there is a friendly staff member always available to help and direct patrons. I enjoy the spaciousness, and the availability of comfortable chairs, desks and tables on all three floors. The children's area is a delight, and the Don Stafford Room provides an opportunity not only to study Maori tikanga and New Zealand history, but a quiet place to study.

The adjoining park area is an attractive, safe place for children and their families, and I saw today that the bright sun umbrellas and bean bags were being enjoyed to the full.

Congratulations to council and to library staff.

JACKIE EVANS
Rotorua

I, too, am no fan of the new library and I fail to see how $12 million of ratepayers' money has benefited library users. The saddest comment I've heard was from a teenager who visited the library after the refurbishment and came home to complain bitterly about where the teen section had disappeared to! He commented that the old space was great because the teens congregated in that area and there were loads of books to choose from. Now there is a shelf!

As to the proposal to create another council-controlled organisation to manage the redeveloped Lakefront - is that because InfraCore has worked so well? I agree with Bob Martin - we have our own people who can lead this process and we don't need Aucklanders to tell us how to develop our facilities. Is this council a one-trick pony?

LYNNE REARDON
Rotorua

Panning the plan
The RLC's draft Long Term Plan 2018-2028 is a mixed bag. It uses tired Vision 2030 slogans to promise "services and projects that contribute to the vision and the districts' strengths in a financially prudent way, balancing the challenges of affordability in the present while meeting the demands for future progress". Promises! There is no appreciation of affordability and no hearings.

Refitting the Aquatic Centre, Museum, SHMPAC and International Stadium make good sense. The Lakes Water Quality projects are wise, especially upgrading the wastewater treatment plant. Sadly, the resource consent for discharging treated wastewater into Lake Rotorua could be challenged, and the RLC faces prosecution by the BOPRC for violating nutrient discharge limits, all at ratepayers' expense.

Delaying expenditure reflects the RLC reaching debt limits without reserves. Rotoma's sewage scheme is scheduled for 2018-19, Rotoiti's for 2019-20, Rotoehu's for 2021-22, Mamaku's for 2028-29, and Tarawera no date.

The rural waste collection and extra sealing, and the community and lakes development projects, are all overdue. But why the massive tourist infrastructure spend compared to other productive sectors? Why feather bed Infracore and Terax?

Under the pretext of "Keeping Our Foot on the Pedal of Progress", business property rates are to rise in 2018-19 by 3.09%, farms by 3.41%, residential rural by 7.21% and residential urban by 7.86% (and favour the better off).

By "Keeping Our Foot on the Throats of Ratepayers", those on CPI-indexed pensions are going backwards into poverty. Please speak out against this injustice.

REYNOLD MACPHERSON
Rotorua