Erosion and Flood update - September 2008

Public feedback on options to manage erosion and flooding around Lake Taupo can now be viewed on-line.

Around 360 responses were received to a questionnaire seeking people’s views on managing the erosion and flood risks. The questionnaire was accompanied by a Discussion Paper that summarised the findings of two technical reports looking at the likely causes and extent of the erosion and flood risk around the lake.

A summary of the comments can be viewed on the Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy page on the Taupo District web-site (www.taupo.govt.nz).

Nick Carroll, Manager Strategic Environmental Policy at Taupo District Council, said the response to the questionnaires had been even better than expected with people making some excellent points that would influence the direction of the draft Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy.

He said most of the comments on erosion favoured soft management options such as beach replenishment and revegetation. There was also a lot of interest in the proposed flood hazard zones with 58% of respondents saying that new developments should not occur within them.

Mr. Carroll said officers have spent the past two months analysing and collating the feedback.
“We’re very appreciative of the time and effort that has gone into the responses and would like to assure people that their comments will be considered during development of the Strategy.”

A draft Strategy, being jointly developed by Taupo District Council and Environment Waikato, is due to be completed towards the end of the year and will go out for formal comment over the summer holiday period with Taupo District Council’s LTCCP 2009-2019 (Long Term Council Community Plan). The final Strategy is due to be adopted in June 2009.