Kia Ora,
 
I write to acknowledge your information request of Monday 25 October 2021 as below.
 
Please be advised that your request has been passed on to the relevant team within Council and you will be informed of the outcome.
 
The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 requires that we advise you of our decision on whether the Council will provide the requested information as soon as reasonably practicable, and no later than 20 working days after the day we received your request. We will respond to you no later than Monday 22 November 2021.

In light of the recent announcement regarding COVID-19 and New Zealand’s Alert level 3, the safety of our employees is paramount. We’ve made necessary changes to our working environment and operations that may result in limited availability of some of our staff members. We appreciate your patience during this time. Please allow some extra time for a response to your request as we are all doing our best to accommodate the new circumstances.

Kind Regards,

Tatiyana | Official Information & Legal Support Advisor
Legal Services & Risk | People and Organisational Performance
Email: [Hamilton City Council request email]

Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 | www.hamilton.govt.nz
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Kia Ora,

 

I refer to your information request below, Hamilton City Council is able
to provide the following response.

 

Please see the attached Hamilton Aquatic Review Planning Document. Note –
this is an iterative planning document, we are collecting data and will
continue to do so to feed into our Asset Management planning (which will
inform proposals to the 2024-34 LTP). 

 

Regarding the quote you have referenced from the Waikato Times, while it
was not a ‘misquote’, it did lack broader context. The comment was made as
part of a much larger statement, which covered ways in which Council is
investing into Waterworld and Gallagher to increase usage, covering the
Lido through winter to create more leisure space, and supporting the
development of a commercial pool in Rototuna while we plan for future
provision as the city grows.

 

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

 

Kind Regards,

 

 

 

Tatiyana | Official Information & Legal Support Advisor

Legal Services & Risk | People and Organisational Performance

Email: [2][Hamilton City Council request email]

 

[3]Hamilton City Council

 

Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 |
[4]www.hamilton.govt.nz
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[7]http://data.hcc.govt.nz/branding/twitter... us on Twitter

 

[9]Email-footer-Hamilton-Invest

 

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Kia Ora,

I refer to your information request below, Hamilton City Council is able to provide the following response.

The swimming needs of our city is something Hamilton City Council reviews in different ways. Through ongoing conversations, feedback, and some external research and analysis – as outlined in the report provided – we continuously look into what we are doing well and what we can do better. If there is a particular document or piece of information you are seeking, please let us know and we will do our best to provide it.

We believe the line you refer to in the Waikato Times article is: Helen Paki, city council’s community services unit director, said staff continuously review demand for swimming spaces in the city. Analysis indicates the city is meeting demand.

This refers specifically to swimming space in the city. The reporter asked Helen Paki to respond to comments from Swim in the City about the Waikato Regional Aquatic Facilities Plan’s (November 2017) recommendations to add another 20 lanes swimming lanes to Hamilton. Through a statement, Helen told the reporter our current analysis indicated that – considering partnership pools and future planning – Hamilton is meeting the demand for swimming space. While the article did not use Helen's full statement, hopefully this provides some context for you.

We understand that swimming demand will increase as our city grows, and Council will consider its options through the next Long-Term Plan (LTP), as is our usual process for large capital projects. In the meantime, we are focusing on enhancing existing facilities. We are covering the Lido Pool to increase leisure space for swimmers through winter (which will also free up lane space in the 50m pool) and we are supporting commercial initiatives and partnerships to increase options for lane swimmers.

We also continue to meet with important stakeholders and community groups, including Swim in the City, to discuss future provisions and our community’s needs. An upcoming meeting you’ll be aware of, between Council, Swim in the City, and Sport Waikato, is an example of this collaboration.

We hope this has helped to clear up some of the confusion. Please feel free to contact Helen Paki directly if you wish to discuss further.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Kind Regards,

Noah | Official Information & Legal Intern
Legal Services & Risk | People and Organisational Performance
Email: [Hamilton City Council request email]

Hamilton City Council | Private Bag 3010 | Hamilton 3240 | www.hamilton.govt.nz
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