Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti are linked by the Ohau Channel so what happens in Lake Rotorua affects water quality in Lake Rotoiti. However, they face different issues that will require different solutions.
A joint Proposed Action Plan has been developed for the two lakes, and was recently released for public submission. See below for details on the proposed action plan and how to have your say.
See further below for details on actions and issues facing Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti. Other information on this webpage includes lakes newsletters and minutes from the various working parties and focus groups.
Action Plan Status: Proposed – released for public consultation
Quality Now: 5.0 TLI
Quality Goal: 4.2 TLI
Latest newsletter - August 2007
The Proposed Lakes Rotorua/Rotoiti Action Plan was adopted by the Rotorua Lakes Strategy Group and released for public submission on Friday 22 June 2007. The proposed action plan can be viewed and downloaded below.
If you would like a copy of the proposed action plan, contact Chloe Thorp on phone 0800 ENV BOP (368 267), fax 0800 ENV FAX (368 329) or email chloe.thorp@envbop.govt.nz. Copies are also available at the Environment Bay of Plenty Rotorua office at 1125 Arawa Street, Rotorua.
Public Submissions
We welcome and encourage you to have your say. Please note that the closing date for public submissions has been extended from Friday 31 August 2007 to Friday 14 September 2007.
Send your submission to: The Chief Executive, Environment Bay of Plenty, PO Box 364, Whakatane, fax 0800 (ENV FAX) 368 329, or email info@envbop.govt.nz.
Timeline
22 June – Proposed Action Plan released for consultation and public submission
Mid July – Hold public meeting (date and venue to be confirmed)
14 September – Submission period closes
Early October – Public hearing of submissions
November/December – Hearing panel decisions
December/January 2008 – Operative action plan released
Lake Rotorua
Te Rotorua nui a Kahumatamomoe |
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Lake Rotorua has a city of more than 55,000 people on its shores, and smaller communities are scattered around its edge. It also hosts an extra 15,000 visitors a day, on average. The catchment contains beef, sheep and dairy farms but only a few industries.
Lake Rotorua’s quality has dropped over the years, in spite of massive environmental work. Water quality improved after a leading-edge sewerage scheme was installed for Rotorua city in the late 1980s, but has since deteriorated again from increasing nitrogen from groundwater because of historic land use intensification, and lake bed sediments releasing nutrients into the lake water.
Sewage
With so many people living in the catchment, nutrients from sewage are an ongoing issue. This is being tackled in a number of ways.
Actions
An $18.5 million reticulation scheme for eastern lakeside communities (in progress)
Major upgrades to Rotorua City sewage plant (complete)
New rules for high-tech septic tanks in rural areas
$70 million to be spent upgrading or adding sewage reticulation around the lakes
Land Use
Land use activities, particularly intensive farming, often produce more nutrients than the soil can easily absorb. This excess either flows overland into waterways or leaches into underground reservoirs, which eventually feed into springs, streams and lakes. The Rotorua catchment has nearly 6000ha of dairy and about 13,000ha of beef, sheep and deer farms, plus a number of lifestyle blocks.
Actions
Major subsidies and technical support for environmental work that will reduce nutrient output from properties (current)
Rules specific to the Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti catchments to ensure there are no further increases in nutrient losses (under discussion)
Rules to keep stock out of streams and lakes (almost operative)
Development of Best Management Practices for managing nutrients
NPLAS computer programme available to help land users count the nutrient loss from their property under different scenarios
Community
Involvement, awareness and education are key components of the action programme. The local community, including iwi, Federated Farmers, rural and urban landowners, LakesWater Quality Society, tourism agencies and Fish and Game, take part in preparing the action plan.
Actions
Action Plan involvement
An education resource for schools
Ongoing media articles and columns, radio talks, and regular updates in local government publications
Talks to clubs, such as Rotary and Lions
Primary, intermediate and secondary school education resource (in development)
Up-to-date information and reports online
In the City
City streets are swept frequently of rubbish and oils so pollutants don’t get into Lake Rotorua
Stormwater is filtered to remove leaves and other rubbish
New wetlands to filter stormwater for new subdivisions
None of the Rotorua lakes host pest fish such as koi carp, which can degrade water quality. Some lakes are free of most aquatic weeds. Boaties must clean their boats before launching to make sure they don’t bring new pests into the lake. An aquatic pest operational strategy is under development.
Lake Rotoiti
Te Rotokite a Ihenga i ariki ai a kahumatamomoe |
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Lake Rotoiti’s water quality problems are mostly because of its link to Lake Rotorua. Around 70% of the lake’s nutrients have come from Lake Rotorua via the Ohau Channel. Lake Rotoiti’s catchment has few large farms but a number of small settlements, currently on septic tanks.
Action Plan Status: In progress
Quality Now: 4.5 TLI
Quality Goal: 3.5 TLI
URGENT ACTION:
A $15 million wall to divert the Ohau Channel away from the main body of Lake Rotoiti and down the Kaituna River. Scientists say this should significantly improve the lake’s quality within three to five years, with fewer cyanobacteria blooms. The resource consents to build the structure have been granted, and are waiting on resolution of apeals.
Other actions:
Reticulating sewage in Okawa Bay and Mourea (work near completion)
Reticulation of other Rotoiti settlements within five years
New rules for high-tech septic tanks
Rules to keep stock out of waterways (in progress)
Large subsidies for fencing and planting water margins
Possible treatment of Okawa Bay once the sewage is reticulated
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