Last call for input on draft Rotorua nitrogen rules

8 October 2014

Public feedback on the draft rules to set nitrogen limits for pastoral land use in the Lake Rotorua catchment closes Tuesday 14 October 2014.

The draft rules set out how Nitrogen Discharge Allowances will be allocated to individual rural properties using a mix of resource consents and permitted activities. These rules may affect all rural properties over two hectares in the Lake Rotorua groundwater catchment.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council General Manager Environmental Delivery Warwick Murray said over the last three months there had been meetings, open days, mailings as well as online, radio and print advertising to prompt people to provide feedback.

“So far we have received more than 90 feedback forms and expect to receive more by next Tuesday. It’s really important that we hear from all sectors that may be affected by the rules so we urge landowners to tell us what they think,” he said.

“The feedback received will provide important information for us to be able to develop the rules with the intent to notify them next year. People can provide formal submissions once the rules are notified” he said.

“To date the majority of feedback has been received from rural landowners on blocks between two and 40 hectares, with dry stock being the most represented sector. We have also seen a rise in feedback in the last few weeks from landowners with sheep, native bush and horses as well as feedback from local businesses,” Mr Murray said.

The draft rules information and feedback form is available atwww.rotorualakes.co.nz or from Bay of Plenty Regional Council offices.

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