Rotorua's 2014 wishlist

FILE

Rotorua residents want less crime, more jobs, kerbside recycling and a skating rink for the city by the end of 2014.

Readers on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page were asked to finish the following sentence - "In 2014 I want Rotorua to ..."

In less than a day we received more than 50 responses ranging from cleaning up the district's lakes to people being a lot nicer to each other.

<a href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11181309' target='_blank'><B>Street View: I want Rotorua to...</B></a>

There were more calls for "free" kerbside recycling, for the regional council to clean up Rotorua's lakes, three people asked for a skating rink, and many others voiced their concern for the district's youth and the run- down state of the central business district.

Recent issues with youth fighting and congregating in the central city were also highlighted with some saying they needed to get rid of the "hood rats" while others suggested ways to solve the problem in a more pro-active way.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said in 2014 she would like Rotorua to help find solutions in the community to help young people, who found life on the streets more exciting than in school or training. "I will do my bit through the mayor's taskforce for jobs and need other leaders to help find the answers. These are our young people who need to have hope that they can become useful citizens with a future here in this fantastic community.

"That's only one thing on my list, along with sustainable growth that will bring jobs," she said.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said he wanted Rotorua to carry on with the work started this year, in particular in the areas of education, the local economy, law and order and the environment.

"This year we will further roll out the Rotorua Education Initiative offering greater educational opportunity to Rotorua young people, to start to implement measures agreed between farmers and the regional council to clean up Lake Rotorua and for work to continue to assist with skills development and job creation, including attracting and supporting existing and new businesses to our district," Mr McClay said.

He also challenged adults with gang connections who were reportedly seen encouraging children to fight in the CBD on Boxing Day to show a sense of responsibility to their community and to their families.

"Their behaviour was disgraceful. It is a selfish few who hold our city's reputation hostage and offer their kids a concerning future."