July 2017Hearings report released for Lake Rotorua Nutrient Management Plan ChangeA report has been released today from the panel of independent hearing commissioners who heard submissions and evidence on proposed Plan Change 10. The proposed plan change introduces new rules to limit the amount of nitrogen entering Lake Rotorua from land use, in order to improve water quality. Councillors are considering the report and will decide whether to accept or reject its recommendations at the next Regional Direction and Delivery Committee (RDD) meeting on 2 August 2017. Read more>> Award winner fights for pipi healthBay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Award winner and local farmer, Jared Watson has formed a new community group to turn the tide on Waiōtahe pipi problems. The group has been formed following a Toi Te Ora public health warning that pipi from the Waiōtahe pipi beds near Ōpōtiki are unsafe to eat due to faecal contamination. Source DNA tracking showed that the likely source of the faecal contamination was ruminant animals (cows). Jared has brought together local dairy farmers, forestry block owners, horticulturalists, and lifestyle block owners to deliver on an agreed set of goals for reducing bacteria run-off in the catchment. Their work is supported by Regional Council staff who’ve set up new monitoring systems in the catchment to better understand bacteria pathways and help pinpoint problem areas. Land-use maps for modellingLand use maps for the Kaituna Maketū, Pongakawa Waitahanui and Rangitāiki catchments are almost complete, thanks to data support and reality-checking from local industry groups including New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc., Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and Horticulture New Zealand. The maps will be made available online when fact-checking is complete. They’ll show what parts of each catchment are being used for growing, farming, urban or other uses. The maps are a key building block in the development of computerised predictions (modelling) to inform future Council decisions about new rules and methods for water management under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater. Orchard research underwayBay of Plenty Regional Council has partnered with Zespri on a three-year research project to better understand seasonal water and nutrient balances in Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchards. Plant and Food Research are delivering the work which will compare actual soil water measurements with computerised modelling, and gather seasonal nutrient run-off data from orchards throughout the region. The research will help orchardists to improve irrigation efficiency and optimise nitrogen use on their properties, to keep local waterways healthy and support decisions about future sector growth. Nutrient management videos for farmersA series of ten short videos have been produced by farmers, for farmers, to share knowledge about options for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus loss from their land. The Good Management Practice videos have been produced by Landconnect, with funding from Regional Council's Low Nitrogen Land Use Fund. They feature farmers from the Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective sharing practices from their farms. See more >> Community groups agree on in-water aimsThe Kaituna Maketū, Pongakawa Waitahanui and Rangitāiki Freshwater Futures community groups held their fifth round of workshops last month, and a third round of hui are being held with iwi representatives in the coming weeks. The meetings are part of Council’s work to develop new water management rules and methods under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater. Each community group has been developing a set of shared statements about what their expectations are for waterway health in their catchments. Some examples from Kaituna Maketū include:
A set of indicators (such as temperature, algae, fish abundance, and E.coli levels) have been matched to each statement to show how actual waterway health could be measured against community expectations. The next round of community group workshops (planned for September) will explore what future land and water use is likely to look like for their catchments, and how a computerised system (model) will be used to predict the resulting water quality and quantity outcomes. To see who’s in your local community group and read workshop notes, visit www.boprc.govt.nz/watergroups Healthier future for Thornton LagoonRegional Council staff have recently installed new culverts and rock channels to reconnect the Rangitaki River to the Thornton Lagoon (Okorero). The installations will prevent weed spread while restoring upstream access for native fish including inanga (a whitebait species) and tuna (eels). The lagoon is the only remaining wetland on the lower Rangitaiki River that can provide habitat for whitebait species. It’s being restored through a partnership between the Rangitāiki River Forum, Regional Council, Fish and Game, Department of Conservation and local volunteers. See more>> Water study to explore sustainable growth optionsRegional Council has partnered with Ministry for Primary Industries to deliver a water study that will map water use constraints and identify opportunities for sustainable business development in the region. Industry representatives have asked for the study, which will pull together insights from farmers, growers, major landowners and industry representatives, along with science and council information. The study is due for completion by June 2018. It will inform future business investment, and help Council to provide for water allocation that’s as efficient and effective as possible. Read more>> Nutrient management trials for Nukuhou farmsTwelve dairy farmers in the Nukuhou and adjacent catchments are taking an in-depth look at farm data to identify where improvements can be made to reduce nutrient run-off into waterways and save money. Farm consultant Alison Dewes is leading the trial project; funded by participating farmers and Regional Council. Progress will be reported on through the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy Coordination Group (OHSCG). Water quantity hearings panel appointedThe submissions and further submissions periods for the Region-wide Water Quantity Plan Change (Plan Change 9) have now closed. Staff are now analysing the submissions received, in preparation for hearings in late November. A panel of five hearing commissioners has been appointed: Antoine Coffin (independent), Andrew Fenemor (independent), Councillor Jane Nees, Councillor Arapeta Tahana, and Councillor Paula Thompson. More time for Rangitāiki River Scheme ReviewThe Rangitāiki River Scheme Review panel is making good progress but has requested more time to process and interpret a large quantity of information before finalising its report. The independent review team, led by Sir Michael Cullen, is looking into the infrastructure and the circumstances that led to the breach of a flood wall and associated flooding through the town of Edgecumbe on 6 April 2017. Read more >> Kaituna River Document submissions closedThe public submissions period for the Proposed Kaituna River Document is now closed. Submissions are now being considered and a date for hearings will be set in due course. The Kaituna River Document has been prepared by Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority. It outlines a vision, objectives and desired outcomes to promote the restoration, protection and enhancement of the Kaituna River and its tributaries. Freshwater symposium links onlineLeaders from primary industry, iwi, science, central and local government sectors came together in late May to share challenges and lessons for freshwater management at the Local Government NZ (LGNZ) Freshwater Symposium. Audio, video and presentation links from the symposium are available on the LGNZ website, here >> |