Members sought for Rivers Scheme Advisory Groups

The Kaituna River is part of the Kaituna Catchment Control Scheme. Photo/File

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is seeking members for its newly established Rivers Scheme Advisory Groups that will play an important role in decision-making on local river schemes.

The advisory groups, previously known as Rivers Scheme Liaison Groups, represent scheme ratepayers and their view on scheme matters like capital and maintenance works projects.

River schemes are in place for rivers and streams to provide communities with protection from flooding, river pathways changes, and so on. Not all waterways in the Bay of Plenty are part of a river scheme.

There are four schemes - Kaituna, Rangitaiki/Tarawera, Whakatane/Tauranga, and Waioeka/Otara.

In these schemes council work with the community to develop plans, practices, and various protection methods.

Ratepayers in a particular river scheme catchment pay a targeted rate that covers 80 per cent of the cost of managing that scheme. The remaining 20 per cent is covered by the general rate.

Regional council's asset management officer Kirsty Brown said council was looking for applicants to help in enabling effective communication and liaison between scheme ratepayers and the council.

"I'd like to acknowledge the work of the members of the previous liaison groups. These members have done a great job of speaking for their communities over the years. I am sure a number of these members will be happy to apply to join the new groups going forward.

"This new advisory group process sets us up with a terms of reference and a good outline of the work required for the coming three years. I look forward to seeing some quality applications come through," she said.

Ms Brown said this was an important role and nominees needed to demonstrate they met some or all of the appointment criteria set out under the terms of reference.

"Please look into those carefully before sending through an application," she said.

Interested scheme ratepayers can access the expression of interest, terms of reference, and criteria information on the website.

Submissions close next Friday.