Letters to the editor: Future generations will pay for council's spending

One reader wants an independent review of Rotorua Lakes Council. Photo / NZME

Rotorua Lakes Council needs not one but seven deputy chief executives and two have had their salaries increased.

This follows a Government announcement that public servants on more than $100,000 will not qualify for salary increases for three years.

It comes after a pandemic closed our borders, caused Rotorua businesses to collapse and people to lose their jobs and incomes. It comes as people renting are faced with increased rents, home buyers are now paying more for houses, the homeless are living in motels and food bank queues grow.

Rotorua was not a thriving district prior to the pandemic, and it is less so now. Prior to the pandemic poverty, homelessness and crime were more prevalent in Rotorua than in most districts.

Despite this, the council wants to increase rates - which will hurt the most vulnerable and exacerbate Rotorua's problems.

The council's solution is to put in a few more CCTV cameras, appoint seven deputy chiefs, increase salaries and keep spending on grandiose projects.

Future generations will repay this debt just as the destruction of climate change hits them. It is not fair or just or kind to do this to future generations.

Can we please have an independent review of the council.

Patricia Hosking
Rotorua

Likely rates increase out of line

As a ratepayer in this city, I find the likely 9.2 per cent increase in rates is out of line and has not been justified.

The amount of increase is not related to any cost of living or wage increase the people of this city have received.

There is a natural increase because property values have increased and therefore so have the rates on that property.

I feel the council has increased the community's debt and using ratepayers to pay for things outside the council's mandate. In my view, how dare the council approve a rates increase and then give executive pay rises when people in Rotorua are financially struggling.

The council should show some leadership and hand it back.

Someone in the council needs to stand up for the people who are being disrespected and left to pick up the mess the council is leaving us in.

Ken Dell
Rotorua

Speed bumps might save a life

In response to the letters regarding the speed bumps on Kawaha Point Rd.

I live on Kawaha Point Rd (been there for 41 years). I totally disagree with Jim Adams' comment saying how excessive it is.

If you live on this road then perhaps you will understand why it is so important to have them on this road. There have been speeding cars, motorbikes and near-misses over the past few years and I have attended a few nasty accidents.

There is nearby Kawaha Point School and I fear it is only a matter of time before a child becomes a victim of these speedsters.

But now the speed bumps have been installed, they might just prevent the inevitable from happening.

What a pleasure seeing motorists driving on this road now at a safer speed.

I would also like to comment on Cr Peter Bentley not knowing about these speed bumps (Letters, June 16).

In my opinion, Bentley should know what is going on with the roadworks in and around our city - or does he not know what is going on?

Anthony Taylor
Rotorua

Speed bump demons

I would like to add to the speed bump debate.

This week Ford Rd has been the subject of the speed bump demons, with several of them being installed.

Sorry, Jim Adams (Letters, June 16), the total of these means it will be several years before you get yours if they are only doing two a year.

Peter Breen
Glenholme

Speed bumps reduce risk to the community

Rotorua Lakes Council is aware of discussion about the new traffic-calming measures in Ford Rd and Kawaha Point Rd and would like to offer further information about these works.

As the road controlling authority, the council is responsible for monitoring and responding to emerging road safety issues.

The introduction of the traffic-calming measures (speed bumps) was at the request of residents in both areas and local police.

For both roads, the average speed of vehicles was recorded at 60km/h with 15 per cent of traffic travelling above the speed of 66km/h. To put that in context, Kawaha Point Rd carries more than 5000 vehicles a day.

That means each day 750 vehicles were travelling at speeds in excess of 67km/h.

Letters were delivered to residents in both areas in November 2020 to notify them of the work, that letter included the number of speed bumps to be built and residents were able to provide feedback at that time. Information was shared on the council's website and updates about the work have been included in the council's monthly Operations and Monitoring Committee Agendas since November 2020.

The speed bumps have been constructed to the national design standard at a height of 100mm, which is consistent with all speed bumps in Rotorua.

This is about reducing the risk to our community and enabling neighbourhoods to become safer, more enjoyable environments for people to live in.

Stavros Michael
Deputy chief executive, infrastructure and environment
Primary civil defence emergency management controller
Rotorua Lakes Council

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