Historic Lake Taupo project one step closer

Environment Waikato / Waikato Regional Council, July 2008, http://www.ew.govt.nz/News-and-events/Envirocare-June-2008/#heading17.

Environment Waikato is one step closer to ensuring the clear, blue water of Lake Taupo is protected for future generations of New Zealanders.

We moved to protect the lake in 2001 when scientific evidence revealed its water quality was under threat. Increased nitrogen entering the lake from surrounding land was reducing the health of the lake.

Any serious decline in the quality of the lake water would be difficult to reverse, and failing to act would have economic, social and cultural consequences for our region and our country.

In response, Environment Waikato proposed a change to its Regional Plan, introducing new policies and rules for land use and sewage treatment. These will ensure the amount of nitrogen entering the lake is capped at historical levels.

Nine parties appealed the plan change to the Environment Court. Over the past year, Environment Waikato has been successful at resolving most issues, including allowing more flexibility for owners of forestry and undeveloped land.

To resolve remaining issues, court hearings were to have been held over seven weeks from May to July. However there was a major step forward when one of the parties, which contested the entire proposal, withdrew most of its appeal midway through the hearing. All the remaining parties are now broadly in agreement with the overall approach to protecting the lake. We are awaiting the final decision from the Environment Court.

Meanwhile, to support the Regional Plan change, the Government, Taupo District Council and Environment Waikato are investing $81 million over a 15-year period to protect Lake Taupo. The parties, along with the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, have established the Lake Taupo Protection Trust, the job of which is to reduce the amount of nitrogen entering the lake by 20 per cent.

As the legal and planning issues near resolution, Environment Waikato, land owners and the Lake Taupo Protection Trust can confidently start planning the long term protection of this internationally renowned natural treasure.