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Who's doing what in Rotorua - Lakes water quality partnerships

For many decades, some of Rotorua's lakes have been under environmental pressure from residential settlement and farming. A number of lakes are high in nutrients, leading to algal blooms and health warnings. Community consultation has identified significant concerns for the long term well-being of Rotorua's lakes.

Since the 1980s, Environment Bay of Plenty and Rotorua District Council have worked with farmers to support the fencing of lake margins and streambanks from livestock. This has resulted in 98% of lake margins and 90% of stream margins being protected from livestock access. The goal is 100% protection of all lake and stream margins.

Rotorua District Council, Te Arawa Lakes Trust (formerly Te Arawa Maori Trust Board) and Environment Bay of Plenty are also working with the community on a joint project called the Rotorua Lakes Protection and Restoration Action Programme. A partnership approach is helping to co-ordinate the efforts of agencies and focus community energy and resources. Some actions tackle nutrients already in the water, while others focus on cutting back the amount of nutrients entering the lakes. Work is continuing on reticulating sewage in a number of lakeside settlements. New rules will require high-tech septic tanks in some areas.

More information:

www.rdc.govt.nz/About+Rotorua/Environment/Lake+Action.htm

www.tearawa.iwi.nz/index.htm

www.envbop.govt.nz/Water/Lakes/Lakes.asp