Rotorua District Council Review

Previously I rated RLC with 5 stars. I have reduced that now because in recent times emails have not been answered at all, or answered with information not asked for. Some of the people answering are fantastic

But there is stops. complaints are ignored. The service is nothing like it was when I wrote the previous top review.

my previous post below : I found the Rotorua Council exemplary in all my dealings with them. The staff answering calls are helpful and polite, and various departments (with the exception of the people who handle the rubbish collection queries) have been top class. Good on you RL council.

Ridiculously expensive annual rates for rural properties that recieve only the most very basic services from the council. Useless service to deal with as far too much bureaucracy .. Don't bother trying to talk to the customer service department they are rude and misinformed giving incorrect information and information they have no proper knowledge of leading to further problems.
Worst council I have to deal with by far! Shameful

Anne Hunter,

We have being buying our plants from Rotorua Lakes Councils Garden Shop.
Staff are extremely helpful and polite they give exceptional advice on all different plants,
Prices per plants could be a bit less considering the amount we are paying in rates.
Out of townies should pay full price, if they are not rate payer,
Rotorua rate payers should get a discount.

Sad you now have to pay to walk Hamurana Springs and can no longer take your dog for a nice nature walk.. Good on you Rotorua. Thanks for updating your council records around this too as we came over from Tauranga to enjoy the day in rotorua to find this now is no longer able to be enjoyed as it used to be, and coucils have NOT updated their information as still advise this a a nice friendly place to walk the dog.. Rotorua has turned into a greedy tourist sess pitt. Disapointing however we will travel to other beautiful friendly areas of new Zealand instead, where dogs are welcome.

If only this council cared as much about its residents as it does about its tourists.

Have a 70's house that has continuously had a fireplace since establishment. Due to council initiated changes the fireplace needs to be switched over prior to sale (at my expense of course) and now the council is attempting to say that the fire is not permitted despite the fact that a fire has been there since the house was built so was obviously permitted with the rest of the house (and they can provide no evidence to show that the permit has been revoked). Completely illogical to deal with.
If you want a council that wont listen to reason or provide evidence of justification, but will charge you for whatever they can, this is the place to be, otherwise move elsewhere.

Edit: To reiterate that this is within the councils control (and evidence how blase the below response is) I add the following points:

The air quality bylaw is set by Bay of Plenty Regional Council but for residents of Rotorua it is Administered by Rotorua Lakes Council. The bylaw states that existing fireplaces are to be grandparented and that Rotorua Lakes Council is responsible for maintaining the permits for these existing fireplaces. This is an existing fireplace so this excuse has no rationale behind it.

If either the Bay of Plenty Regional Council or Rotorua Lakes Council genuinely cared about air quality, the focus would be on making more environmentally friendly options cost effective and attainable, not by incorrectly withholding permits.

Loved the open space and sculptures and walk in to town