MEDIA RELEASE

Plea for people to reply to lake survey

For immediate release: Thursday 4 March 2004

Environment Bay of Plenty wants people to reply to a survey asking how much they value the more intangible qualities of Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti.

Last month, the regional council sent nearly 600 forms to households in Rotorua and other parts of the Bay of Plenty. It also sent the survey to 230 anglers in Auckland.

However Rotorua Lakes Strategy coordinator Paul Dell says not enough people have filled out and returned the survey to give an indication of the community’s views. “We urge people to do it – and as soon a possible. We really need the information.”

People’s views will be worked into future policies and actions, Mr Dell says. “So it is really important that people fill out the questionnaire and return it to us. We want to know what they think so that good decisions can be made.”

The survey asks for people’s views on current lake quality and includes questions about the types and frequency of recreational use and whether that would increase if there were no algal blooms. It is designed to help Environment Bay of Plenty understand the value the community places on less tangible qualities like fresh air or living in an unspoilt environment.

ENDS

© Scoop Media