Editorial: Shock news must unite, not divide, Rotorua

Operations at the Lumbercube timber mill site on Vaughan Rd have ceased. Photo / Stephen Parker

It seems lumbercube management may have been the only ones who saw yesterday's shock news coming.

The sudden closure of the mill came completely out of the blue for the staff, local politicians and nearby residents we have spoken to.

As with any large-scale loss of jobs - if indeed that is what eventuates - it's a huge blow for the workers and their families, and one that will have flow-on effects for the wider community.

But until we know the facts, speculation can be dangerous.

There has been a strong backlash to the news on social media and on the streets, with many blaming the eastside residents who have been vocal in their opposition to the mill's night-time operation.

Those who complained about the noise have been accused of putting people out of work and leaving children hungry.

But only the mill's owners and management know the full story as to what led to the closure.

It would be naive to say the noise challenges did not play a part. When we asked the owners, Maui Capital, whether noise issues were a factor in the closure, their communications expert's response was "there were a number of commercial and operating factors that could not be resolved in a timely manner". They would not elaborate further. How big a factor having to reduce the noise was, and whether there were also other factors at play, we don't yet know.

So it seems unfair to round on Lynmore residents, who were entitled to express concerns about their own families' health and well-being. And as Eastside Residents' Association chairman Ra Daniels said, no one wanted the mill to shut or for people to lose jobs. This was not a victory for anyone but a terribly sad conclusion to an unfortunate saga.

Now is not the time for Rotorua to be divided. Instead, it needs to unite to support those Lumbercube workers who will need our help over the coming days, weeks and months.