Farming is an important part of our community and our economy, but so is Lake Rotorua.
To ensure the lake is protected for future generations, we need to reduce the amount of nutrients entering it. We also need to ensure any rules are reasonable to comply with, like the new series of rules developed as Plan Change 10 to allow a Nitrogen Discharge Allocation (NDA) for each property.
As a landowner, you have until 2032 to meet your individual nitrogen discharge allocation limit for your property. There's also handy information, the Working Together to Protect Lake Rotorua brochure provides an excellent summary. There’s handy information available through the Rotorua Land Use Directory – Tahuri Whenua, which explores manuka, sheep milking, feijoa and ginseng land use, and also a series of good nutrient management practice videos available here.
The Lake Rotorua Stakeholder Advisory Group was formed in September 2012 to provide input, advice and recommendations on the development of new rules and the incentives to help landowners meet them.
Any plans we have to protect the quality of our water need to ensure that it promotes a vibrant community. We have commissioned various economic analysis and reports to see what the impact will be for landowners and the wider region. A science review of Plan Change 10 has also been undertaken.
The Land Use Advice and Support service assists landowners to meet the requirements under Proposed Plan Change 10.
The $2.2 million-funded service has contracted eight independent firms as Land Use Advisers who will work alongside landowners to determine the current state of nitrogen leaching from the property and if required develop a Nutrient Management Plan. A level of business support may also be available for landowners who need to undertake major changes to their farm system, which may include subdivision.
We look forward to working with you over the coming years to achieve our collective goals. To learn more about your obligations and how you can lend a hand, please phone the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Advice and Support Service on 07 921 3377 or email adviceandsupport@rotorualakes.co.nz.
