Moves to remove Nitrogen a step closer
By Stephanie Arthur-Worsop, Rotorua Daily Post, 19 December 2015
The proposed Lake Rotorua Nutrient Management Rules have been unanimously adopted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council allowing the formal process to officially begin.
The adoption of the proposed rules was the beginning of the formal process, leading on from pre-consultation which has been happening over the past two and a half years.
The proposed rules require on-land practices in the Lake Rotorua catchment to reduce nitrogen entering Lake Rotorua by 140 tonnes by 2032, in order to meet the lake water quality targets set by the community in 2008.
Council Regional Direction and Delivery Committee chairwoman Paula Thompson said it had been a long process to get to this point but it was still just the beginning of formal engagement.
“The proposed rules being adopted is not a sign that the process or the rules are finalised. “The past two and a half years signals a greater focus on engagement and collaboration between the community and regional council, marking a change in how council approaches plan changes.
The first step in the formal consultation process was to request feedback specifically on the technical documents referenced in the rules.
These technical documents have been available online for some time and people have until January 29 to provide feedback.
The council also agreed to notify the proposed rules on February 29 and for this to be followed by an extended submission period. This will enable everyone to provide feedback on the proposed rules to help refine them, prior to becoming operative.
“We are committed to working alongside farmers and our community to make sure these rules are fit for purpose. The rules will have a minimal impact on some people and properties and a greater impact on others,” Ms Thompson said.
Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective co-chairwoman Gisele Schweizer said they were looking ahead to February 29.
“The main thing we will be looking into is the overseer changes but we won’t be doing any of that until after Christmas.
“It has been a long process getting to this stage with a lot of confusion surrounding the rules so we are looking forward to having a break and recuperating for when the rules are notified in February.”
This work is part of the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme, which is a collaborative partnership between the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Te Arawa Lakes Trust.
Lobby group Protect Rotorua spokeswoman Sharon Love could not be reached for comment.
-To provide comment on the technical documents and for more information, visit www.rotorualakes.co.nz/plan-change-10
