Draft Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy - submissions hearing in June

Three days have been set aside in June for hearing of submissions to a draft Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy.

The draft strategy is being developed by Taupo District Council and Environment Waikato to guide future management of the flood and erosion risks around the lake foreshore.

A total of 49 submissions were received to the draft document which went out for formal public comment in December last year. Submissions closed at the end of February.

A joint committee made up of Taupo District Council and Environment Waikato elected representatives will hear the submissions over three days from Monday June 15 to Wednesday June 17. The committee will be chaired by independent commissioner Dr Jeff Jones.

The hearings schedule and a summary of submissions will be mailed out to submitters in advance of the hearing.

A further three days have been set aside in July to enable the Committee to consider what changes might be needed to the draft Strategy before it is adopted. Funding options will also be considered as part of the deliberations.

The draft strategy looks at the extent of the flood and erosion risk and the likely causes, defines the roles and responsibilities of each Council and sets out proposed actions in order of priority, along with suggested timeframes and estimated costs.

Further information on the project is available on line at www.taupo.govt.nz or www.ew.govt.nz.