As a precaution we are cancelling this month’s meeting and will reschedule WRC’s Thomas Wilding’s presentation on the NIWA buoy at a future date.
Read MoreThe three new acts were last year recommended by a top-level panel, which found the 30-year-old RMA was failing to protect the environment and lacked national direction, enforcement and input from iwi. In its place is coming a core Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA), focused on land use and environmental regulation; the Strategic Planning Act (SPA) pulling together laws around development; and the Climate Change Adaptation Act (CAA) focused on managed retreat and its funding.
Read MoreThe just-released report sets three new targets: an average reduction of 2 percent each year between 2022 and 2025, 17 percent each year between 2025 and 2030 and 36 percent each year between 2030 and 2035.
Commission chair Dr Rod Carr said the advice is ambitious but realistic and makes a clear case to government for taking immediate and decisive action on climate change.
Read More"Waikato Regional Council have contracted Dr Piet Verburg from NIWA to undertake a study using the monitoring buoy data from Lake Taupo. This study will focus on evaporation from the lake, and how this changes over the time the buoy has been in place.
Read MoreThis 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)….
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