Public feedback is being sought on a plan to restore the water quality of Lake Tarawera.
According to a media statement the draft Tarawera Lakes Restoration plan has been made available to the public and outlines the key challenges and proposed actions to achieve long term sustainable water quality for the lake.
Warwick Murray of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council says, “ Lake Tarawera is one of our most pristine lakes, enjoyed by the Tarawera residents, local iwi, tourists and wider community but water quality is declining.”
Nitrogen and phosphorus flowing into the lake have been identified as the main cause of the decline in water quality and the plan aims to reduce the amount of nutrients such as sewage reticulation seeping into the lake.
The draft plan also identifies the importance of including the management of land and lakes surrounding Tarawera in the effort to improve the water quality.
Mr Murray says, “Restoring Lake Tarawera is a unique and complex task, as it relies on the health of seven neighbouring lakes - Ōkāreka, Ōkataina, Rotokakahi, Rotomahana, Tikitapu, Rerewhakaaitu and Ōkaro - which drain into Lake Tarawera. It is important that the affected communities for these lakes, as well as people living in Rotorua, get involved in to how we go about remedying the situation.”
Feedback on the draft plan is open until 20 June and copies of the draft plan can be located here.