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Rotorua receives Safe Community award
21 May 2010
Rotorua has officially achieved International Safe Community status, following an evaluation from members of the Safe Communities Foundation NZ and other central government agencies. A review team recently visited the city to decide whether or not Rotorua had met six key criteria required for designation as an International Safe Community. The assessment provided an opportunity to showcase some of the Rotorua's wide range of community safety projects. A formal presentation event to celebrate Rotorua’s designation will take place in June.
More information: http://www.rdc.govt.nz/YourCouncil/LatestNews/Rotorua-gets-International-Safe-Community-accreditation.aspx
Rotorua residents encouraged to give feedback
Rotorua District Council has started a period of public consultation on its Draft Annual Plan and a number of other major proposals. Residents are being encouraged to have their say by Friday 7 May 2010. Coinciding with the draft Annual Plan is public consultation on two major issues. One is a new draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, including options for enhancing recycling services. The council has costed a range of options and is proposing an expansion of drop-off recycling facilities rather than kerbside recycling. The other major issue is a proposal to establish an air quality control bylaw to help improve Rotorua’s air quality – largely by placing future restrictions on the use of household open fireplaces and non-complying wood burners. No final decisions will be made on either of these issues until after the council has read and considered all submissions.
For further information refer to www.rdc.govt.nz.
New Zealand Psychological Society Annual Conference 2010
17-20 July 2010, Rydges Rotorua
The theme of this year’s conference is Psychology for a Sustainable Future. The theme is broadly encompassing, looking not only at human factors related to environmental sustainability but also considering sustainability in individual, family and community relationships.
Please check our website for detailed information on keynote speakers, workshops and registration: http://www.psychology.org.nz/Conference2010.
Nominations called for Keep Rotorua Beautiful Awards
21 January 2010
Keep Rotorua Beautiful is on the lookout for potential worthy recipients of their annual awards being presented in April. Nominations are open to any individual, group, school or business that has made a visible difference in the community over the last 12 months.
Coordinator Christine Findon says the Keep Rotorua Beautiful Awards recognise some of those making a real difference to the city’s beautification. "Nominees could include the likes of people who have bought an old building and done it up to enhance the area; individuals who have made a difference by picking up rubbish; or a group of people planting up an area. There are often residents whom we’re not aware of but who take pride in keeping Rotorua beautiful and are involved in regular clean-up activities. The awards are an opportunity for us to acknowledge those who make it through the selection process, and to thank them for their efforts.”
Nominations can be made by contacting Christine at Rotorua District Council on 350 0209 extn 8253, or by email to christine.findon@rdc.govt.nz. Entries close Friday 19 February. The annual Keep Rotorua Beautiful Awards function will take place at Rotorua District Council on Thursday 8 April.
Civil Defence website launched for Bay of Plenty
23 October 2009
Bay of Plenty residents now have a central point for finding out information before and during a Civil Defence emergency. The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has launched its new website – www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz. The website has information about how best to prepare before an emergency occurs, as well as information useful during an emergency such as radio station frequencies and latest updates. Viewers can also subscribe to emergency updates and media releases.
Rotorua wins most Beautiful City award - again!
28 September 2009
Rotorua has been voted New Zealand’s most beautiful city for the fifth time in ten years. Mayor Kevin Winters says winning the award five times in the last decade proves what locals already knew, but now the rest of New Zealand knows that we have a stunningly beautiful environment. Four previous wins was already an outstanding achievement, but taking out the award a record fifth time is incredible news for the city. I’m rapt that the beauty of our environment and the hard work of so many people has been recognised in this way." Mayor Winters says being able to boast that we’re officially the most beautiful city in the country is especially opportune with direct trans-Tasman flights into Rotorua beginning in December.
Arts Conference in Rotorua in October
31 August 2009
Rotorua's 3rd Biennial Arts Conference is being held on October 12 and 13 at the Millennium Hotel. The event is co-ordinated by Rotorua District Council and aims to provide artists and arts workers with an opportunity to expand their understanding of creative markets and reach new audiences.
The organising team consists of local artist Jill Walker, Auckland marketing and communications expert Jillian de Beer, Arts Waikato arts advisor Renee Casserly, Rotorua Arts Village Experience trustee Don Hunt and RDC community arts officer Kiri Jarden.
Programmes and registration forms are available online at www.creativerotorua.org.nz.
eDay 2009 offers chance to dispose of ewaste
31 July 2009
Computer Access New Zealand (CANZ) has announced another free computer recycling day for 12 September 2009. The aim is to divert more than 1,000 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) from landfills in up to 40 regions, including Rotorua.
e-waste is the fastest growing waste problem globally and New Zealand is no exception. Over 87,000 computer related items were diverted from landfills at last year’s eDay, including 25 tonnes of e-waste locally.
Now in its third year, the annual eDay event is the only nationwide community e-waste recycling event for disposing of computer items and mobile phones in an environmentally sustainable way, at no cost to the public.
The Rotorua event is being supported locally by Environment Bay of Plenty, Rotorua District Council, Chevron New Zealand, the Rotorua Community ICT Trust and Millennium Hotel Rotorua.
For further information about eDay 2009 in Rotorua, contact Annabelle Ellis, Ph 0800 386 288 extn 8151, or email annabelle.ellis@envbop.govt.nz.
New algal species in Rotorua lakes not toxic
10 July 2009
A new algal species occurring in some Rotorua lakes is not toxic, according to test results.
Environment Bay of Plenty Environmental Scientist Matt Bloxham said that toxins were either absent or below detection limits.
“Ithas been quite dominant this year in Lake Rotorua, in Okere Arm (LakeRotoiti) and in the Kaituna River, yet hasn’t occurred in high levelsin the main body of Lake Rotoiti,” Mr Bloxham said.
“Monitoringof the lakes since 1997 has shown us how much the species makeup ofblooms can change. What might test as non-toxic one week can change thenext if the species composition changes, so it is important to continueheeding health warnings,” Mr Bloxham said.
Algal bloomsare symptomatic of a catchment problem, caused by nutrients that haveentered the lake over time and new nutrients entering the lakes fromground and surface water.
There had been no sustainedblooms in Lake Rotorua over the past two seasons until March this yearwhen Environment Bay of Plenty began recording prolonged bloom activityin the lake.
By channelling water from Lake Rotorua, theOhau Channel Diversion Wall has helped prevent bloom activity fromoccurring in the main body of Lake Rotoiti this season.
“While this is something to celebrate, it has certainly drawn attention to the blooms in Okere Arm,” Mr Bloxham said.
However,the blooms do appear to be subsiding in Lake Rotorua, in the Okere Armand in the Kaituna River. “Based on current trends and cooling laketemperatures this looks set to continue,” Mr Bloxham said.
“Inthe past three years we haven’t seen as much bloom activity across bothlakes as we did say six years ago. This current bloom activity is notnecessarily a sign of things to come; we may have a clear season nextyear. If Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti both have clear years, then itis likely so too will Okere Arm and the Kaituna River,” he said.Cycle city status for Rotorua
July 3, 2009
Rotorua’s established cycling reputation had led to BikeNZ selectingthe city for a new trial cycling programme starting in September.
Thethree-year pilot project, Rotorua in Gear, will see Rotorua become anational cycle city, aimed at getting more people cycling forrecreation, sport, and transport.
A cycling education programme, including school and community safety initiatives, will be included in the project.
Rotoruain Gear is to be driven by a funding partnership comprising the RotoruaDistrict Council, Health Rotorua PHO, Lakes District Health Board,BikeNZ and Sport Bay of Plenty. Sparc’s Active Communities fund is alsocommitting $504,000 to the programme over three years. Other projectsupporters include NZ Police and Toi Te Ora.
