10 August 2017
Media:
Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Porposed Lake Tarawera Sewerage Scheme
Inquiry
Following the announcement of the 6.5 million government grant for the proposed Lake Tarawera sewerage reticulation and treatment scheme I have several questions:
- The estimated cost of the project is $17.8 million - how are the council and Tarawera Sewerage Committee planning to find/fund the rest of the money needed to make up the short fall?
- Is there a time frame for the project - i.e when is it expected (or hoped) to be completed by?
Response
From Group Manager Infrastructure Stavros Michael:
We are in the early stages of this proposed project with a community-led steering committee that includes Council and other stakeholders working through options, including comprehensive scheme funding options.
Application to the government's Freshwater Improvement Fund was our first funding application for the proposed Tarawera sewerage reticulation and treatment scheme. It would be expected, as with other wastewater schemes such as East Rotoiti/Rotoma, that Tarawera ratepayers would contribute, along with Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, but there are still processes to go through.
The proposed project will be considered as part of Rotorua Lakes Council's 2018-28 Long-term Plan process later in the year.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Lakes water quality
Inquiry
I understand that water quality is a regional council issue, but because that we are focusing on local election issues it would be nice to get comment from Rotorua Lakes Council as well.
- How does RLC view the current overall level of water quality in Rotorua's lakes?
- What would you hope to see in terms of a commitment to water quality following the election next month?
Response
See below comments from Mayor Steve Chadwick regarding lakes water quality:
Our lakes are local taonga and play a big part of our district's cultural, environmental, health, social and economic wellbeing, so water quality is a very high priority.
Good progress has been made through the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme and we look forward to the upcoming annual report to see what further progress has been made.
Council's biggest contribution is through provision of wastewater schemes and infrastructure, including our wastewater treatment plant which is among the best in the country and is tagged for a further upgrade. Following reticulation of other lakes communities over the years Council has more recently committed to the East Rotoiti/Rotoma wastewater scheme, has signalled a commitment to the Rotoehu community and is working with the Tarawera community on a proposed reticulation scheme there which will come to Council for consideration as part of our 2018-28 Long-term plan process.
Ongoing commitment to and investment in water quality will be crucial for the Rotorua district and is dependent on contributions from our lakes programme partners and central government. We would like to see a continued focus on water quality nationally and continued investment by central government.