Rotorua lakes discussed by ministers

Friday 10 August 2007

The Rotorua Lakes were the focus of a meeting between two government ministers and representatives from the Rotorua Lakes Strategy Group on Tuesday.

Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters led the delegation of representatives from the Rotorua Lakes Strategy Group which met with Ministers Pete Hodgson (Health) and David Parker (Environment). The delegation included Toby Curtis, Chairman Te Arawa Lakes Trust; John Cronin Chairman Environment Bay of Plenty; and John Green Chairman Lakes Water Quality Society.

Discussions focussed on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between central government and the three parties in the Rotorua Lakes Strategy Group. In particular, Rotorua District Council sought to make progress on its proposals to develop sewerage schemes at various locations around Rotorua lakes. It was recognised that some of the proposals would meet health subsidy criteria but others would not, yet all were seen as vital in the context of restoring the lakes.

The complexity of lakes issues was recognised by all parties, particularly the affordability and funding of proposed solutions.

Mr Hodgson noted the strong collaboration between both iwi and units of local government and recognised the work particularly the science and engineering that had gone into the proposed programmes of works and actions.

The delegation emphasised that current funding streams, both local and national, were insufficient, limited by criteria or size to allow parties to immediately address the lakes water quality issues. The Ministers directed officials to report back on the issues and on options.

Toby Curtis chair of Te Arawa Lakes trust said they hadn’t expected the meeting to produce a magic wand to provide funds.

“What we did get was a commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding from all parties and a recognition that the lakes as a collective taonga are too precious to lose,” Mr Curtis said. “We had a good hearing and got a chance to move forward collectively on a solution.”

Mr Parker, currently acting Minister for the Environment, said there was still the need for a harsh look at the effects of land use in the catchments particularly Rotorua. He challenged local government to use the tools available to them to ensure that intensive land uses mitigated or met the real costs of their actions.

Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters and Environment Bay of Plenty Chairman John Cronin have committed both councils to the lakes restoration issues. However they noted that many members of the community could not see an effective solution as possible without a strong partnership with central government partnership that included funding to address key issues.

Continued…

Mayor Winters said “from our meeting yesterday, central government is now well aware of the problems and solutions that are required. I was greatly encouraged by the details of our discussion with ministers and I now look forward to further discussions by officials from all parties to progress our concerns”.

ENDS

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