This means New Zealand joins 32 other nations in formally acknowledging the global crisis and includes commitment to 2025 targets.
Read MoreA new interactive map has been launched to show which rivers, lakes and estuaries are under pressure from agriculture.
Read MoreFailing to respond to its own alarm systems has earned Contact Energy Limited a fine of $162,500 in the Environment Court.
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A health warning issued late last month for the south-eastern bays of Lake Taupō, from Hatepe to Motuoapa, has been lifted by the medical officer of health.
Read MoreWRC’s Climate Action Roadmap to guide internal activities, budget planning and opportunities to work with iwi partners and key stakeholders for a climate-resilient Waikato has been approved by Council. Read on…
Read MoreLWAG update their members and also submit on government policy related to the environment including in the areas of; Water Quality, RMA changes and Climate. We are also members of the Environmental Defence Society and note with interest their comments on the latest cabinet appointments. See their recent press release here…
Read MoreConsultation options in WRC & TDC’s Long Term Plans will allow the community to have input into the future of the Lake Taupo Protection Trust (LTPT) in regard to the ongoing Governance and Management of the Lake Taupō Protection Project. Read on for an overview of the process, LWAG’s position, a brief summary of LTPT Chair Clayton Stent’s presentation and a Waikato Times article by Taupo Times journalist Chris Marshall.
Read MorePlan Change 2: Taupō Overseer Version changed the Taupo rules in Chapter 3.10 of the Waikato Regional Plan to allow the use of updated Overseer versions for modelling nitrogen leaching. A Streamlined Planning Process was used for the plan change where the Minister for the Environment directed the process and made the final decision. The Minister has now approved the plan change.
Read MoreLongstanding Lakes and Waterways member and past Regional Councillor, Laurie Burdett brought this issue to the group’s attention. “Despite a number of formal complaints to the Council and contact with various Councillors, it is extremely frustrating that no public action has occurred to deter the ongoing desecration of this valued lakeside reserve and the blocking of public access” says Laurie.
Read MoreThe buoy, separate to the 3-weekly water sampling contracted by WRC, delivers continuous data on lake water quality, providing an up-to-date picture of the lake health. NIWA are unfortunately not funding the buoy beyond 2020 and, despite discussions with potential supporters for this comprehensive monitoring tool including WRC, TDC and the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, they have not had any guarantees of funds to date. (August 2020)
Read MoreUnfortunately made the call to postpone our August 20 meeting until early next year but our September 17th meeting will go ahead as scheduled under Level 2 or 1.
Read MoreThe National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (Freshwater NPS 2020) will provide local authorities with updated direction on how they should manage freshwater under the Resource Management Act 1991. It comes into force on 3 September 2020.
Read MoreA proposal to transform the delivery of three waters services: including an opt-in reform programme, and a phased delivery with a 3-year horizon
Read MoreKids Greening Taupō has created the Online Nature Classroom to connect tamariki to nature and help them to understand the importance of biodiversity. 11 units of work are being used by schools all over New Zealand.
Read MoreLWAG consulted with the policy team at TDC ensuring that options for a second bridge crossing include consideration for infrastructure needs related to growth on the northern side of the Waikato River especially in relation to future wastewater removal from the Acacia Bay WWTP and reticulation of projected growth in Nukahau.
Read MoreDespite recent legislative changes, a report commissioned by Environment Minister David Parker has recommended repealing the RMA entirely rather than tinkering with it, and recommends two new laws that cover distinct tasks of the RMA. One would be a Natural and Built Environments Act (NBEA) and the other would be a Strategic Planning Act (SPA)….
Read MoreTDC submission PC2: Taupo Overseer Version concerns, Transport Strategy update, appeal PC1 Healthy Rivers recommended by staff, $20M CBD funding injection central government and more
Read MoreWRC councillors voted unanimously in favour of transferring water quality monitoring of summer bathing beaches, regional rivers, rainfall and groundwater within the Lake Taupō catchment to the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board – a first of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand. This landmark decision will streamline water quality monitoring and create cost efficiencies. The analysis of the results will continue to be carried out by Hills Laboratory and ownership of the data being collected will remain with the council. The transfer of functions from council to the trust board will formally take place in September.
Submissions closed 8th of July 2020- see letter from WRC & LWAG submission here:
Read MoreThe Action for healthy waterways package introduces new rules and regulations to stop further degradation of New Zealand’s freshwater resources and improve water quality within five years and…reverse past damage and bring New Zealand’s freshwater resources, waterways and ecosystems to a healthy state within a generation.
Read MoreFurther update on WRC Climate Change Policy as New climate change committee springs into action after Council received Climate Action Committee report 20 February 2020
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