Lakes E-News Update
May 2017Read the latest on what is going on in and around our Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes to protect and restore them for now and future generations
Okareka assessmentsLand use assessments are now underway with landowners in the Lake Okareka catchment with properties over 0.4ha, to monitor their current state of nutrient loss under Rule 11. If you live in the Okareka catchment and haven’t engaged with us, contact us on 0800 884 880.
Phosphorous mitigation field day – 12 MayA three-year ‘Phosphorous Mitigation Project’ is now underway to further quantify the effectiveness of Detainment Bunds in preventing phosphorous moving from farm land to Lake Rotorua. Farmers in the region initiated the project and 22 have created temporary pooling areas on their farms where storm water run-off is stored, after earlier research provided ‘proof of concept’ that Detainment Bunds do catch phosphorus. Take a look at a working Detainment Bund and learn more about how it could help your land at a Phosphorous Mitigation with Detainment Bunds Field Day at the J & C Paterson farm.
Field Day details J & C Paterson Farm,
136 Stewart Road, Kaharoa, Rotorua.
12 May, 1 - 3pm.
All welcome For more information, contact project manager John Paterson at john.paterson@ihug.co.nz or 027 249 6114
Plan Change 10 hearingsThe Plan Change 10 Hearings are almost coming to a close, with closing statements to be made on the 3rd and 4th of May. For more information and for the latest schedule click here.
Exploring engineering solutionsWetlands, watercress beds, weed harvesting and walls are just some of the options that are being explored by Wildland Consultants, as part of Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s commitment
to remove 50 T of Nitrogen from Lake Rotorua through engineering solutions. Two engineering projects have been confirmed – a nitrogen removal plant at Tikitere and improved sewage reticulation around the catchment. Wildlands is getting creative with options for the remaining nitrogen that must be removed. Stage one of the process involves exploring all possible options which will be presented at an expert workshop, and will be followed by a feasibility analysis. Bay of Plenty Regional Council senior lakes technical officer Alistair
MacCormick says there may not be one silver-bullet solution, however a combination of initiatives could be the answer. “We’re taking our time to explore and gather as much information and insight as we can. The more we can gain now, the more effective our end solution will be.” Results are due in the second half of 2017.
Planning for the future of Rotorua – discussion document released Rotorua Lakes Council is now inviting individuals to contribute to the future development of the district, with the release of the Spatial Plan Discussion Document. A key guiding principle of the Spatial Plan will likely be protecting and enhancing water quality, and we want you to put forward your ideas on how to achieve this. View, comment and make a submission on the
document here until 31 May, 2017.
Te Arawa Lakes Trust gets set for future
An extensive six-month review of the Te Arawa Lakes Trust’s activities, financial processes and operating structures has seen Karen Vercoe appointed as permanent chief executive. Ms Vercoe has been acting as the interim general manager since December 2016 and TALT chairman, Sir Toby Curtis, says the Trust’s review highlighted areas of improvement and opportunity. “As a result of this process, it has become crystal clear that we need to focus on our core purpose and stick to what we do well – managing our assets
responsibly and sustainably.” Sir Toby Curtis says this responsibility incorporates the Trust’s physical and financial assets, as well as its environmental assets, such as the protection and enhancement of the Te Arawa lakes.
Ohau wall consentedA fish passage and a steel whaler are just some of the structures soon to be installed on the Ohau Diversion Wall, as it receives resource consent with a 35-year term. This has been a major project for the Te Arawa Lakes Programme, Beca Consulting Tauranga and a University of Waikato science team. The
diversion wall was constructed in 2008 to improve water quality in Lake Rotoiti, by diverting the water from Lake Rotorua down the Kaituna River, where it has minimal impact to the river water quality. The immediate work will provide greater support for the wall to block the flow of water into Lake Rotoiti, further contributing to improved water quality.
Get rewarded for changes made to your landIf you’ve made changes to your land in the Lake Rotorua catchment, you may have nitrogen to sell. Expressions of Interest are now open for small amounts of nitrogen, between 150kg and 1,000kg, and we’d love to hear from you. The Lake Rotorua Incentives Scheme has a set amount of money to use to purchase Nitrogen. Expressions of Interest close 30 June, with decisions made in August 2017. It all starts with a phone call, we’re ready and waiting. Contact Jude Pani at Jude.Pani@boprc.govt.nz or on 027 456 1504 , or your Land Management Officer.
#LoveOurLakes Easter HuntWe teamed up with the popular #RotoruaRocks Facebook group to deliver a special lake-themed Easter hunt. Twenty-five rocks were painted with taonga and pests to engage with kids and get families out and about exploring our lakes. There’s still five rocks to be swapped at council for a late Easter treat, so if you see any hiding, bring them in! Read more here.
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