RLC signals return of land at Punaromia

A message from our TTA Chairperson, Allan Skipwith:

Kia ora e te whānau,

The return of this parcel of land at Punaromia relates to the land on which the Tarawera Café sits which is approximately 355m2 and was first brought to the TTA attention by Mauriora Kingi.

TTA trustees and the Rotorua Lakes Council operational staff have been investigating the area and various options that could enable this land to be returned to Tūhourangi; today we had the opportunity to present the proposal to the first Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee’s meeting of the new Council.

We spoke of the significance that this land has to Tūhourangi – it was overwhelming to listen to the Counsellors speak positively in support of the proposal and then to have the unanimous vote followed by spontaneous clapping from all those in the council chambers!

This is a significant first step in a process that Councillors asked to be completed as quickly as possible.

The café is owned by the current operator who late last year purchased the building and took over the lease arrangement with the RLC which expires in 2023. We are disappointed to have not had the opportunity to take this over ourselves as a first step toward complete ownership.

Heoi ano, a great start and one that would not have been possible without the strong working relationship built with the Mayor, councillors and their operational team. We will keep you updated.

The Rotorua Daily Post has already picked the story up – you can read more about it in this post.