26 February 2013

New look offers enhanced visibility for council CBD teams

Local residents may become more aware of Rotorua District Council (RDC) staff carrying out their varying duties in the CBD from this week.

However it is not because there are more people on the job.

What locals will notice in fact is the council’s new customer-friendly single uniform for all CBD frontline staff. This includes parking enforcement officers, City Safe Guardians, the City Focus team and car park building staff.

RDC Economic & Regulatory Services group manager, Mark Rawson, said the new universal uniform increases the teams’ visibility and is designed to add to a sense of safety in the CBD.

“One of the drawbacks of separate uniforms for our staff working in the central city was the lack of public awareness that they are all part of the same council team and are available to help people regardless of their individual roles.

“This is a step towards a more coordinated ‘one team’ approach to the delivery of our services in the CBD. It makes it easier for locals and visitors to find someone who can help them with questions about the city or directions, and increases their feeling of safety.”

Mr Rawson said staff uniforms were already due for renewal and the cost of new attire was covered in the council’s existing operational budgets.

“Council’s preferred supplier contract arrangements ensured we were able to purchase appropriate and cost effective uniforms, and the bulk purchase provided additional savings.

“The particular style of uniform selected presents less of a regulatory or enforcement look and feels much more customer-friendly.

“We’re really pleased with how sharp our teams are looking as they go about their work, while at the same time increasing the council’s presence in the CBD,” he said.

ENDS

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