Forum gives land owners options under new rules

Francis Pauwels. Photo: Ben Fraser

Lake Rotorua catchment land owners will be informed and inspired about ways to reduce nitrogen discharges next week at the Land Use Opportunities Symposium.

The free symposium at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre has already received significant interest so land owners are encouraged to register soon because space is limited.

The symposium next Tuesday and Wednesday aims to support landowners who will be affected by new nitrogen rules, which are designed to improve water quality in Lake Rotorua.

Hosted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) and Grow Rotorua, the two-day event will feature guest speakers discussing environmentally sustainable farming, business innovation and opportunities for land use change in the Lake Rotorua catchment.

Grow Rotorua chief executive Francis Pauwels says the organisation is committed to helping find viable alternative land use options for farmers to consider.

"It won't be easy to make transitions in the current environment, however a great place to start is to know what alternatives there are and where to get real help," he said.

BOPRC Rotorua Catchments manager Helen Creagh says she would like land owners to walk out of the symposium feeling more confident about the new rules and knowing there is support and help available.

"We want to open the door to all Lake Rotorua catchment land owners to come and have a chat to us about the process."

Speakers at the symposium will discuss innovative land use change options such as forestry, closed-loop dairying, dairy goats, manuka honey, biomass cropping and biofuels, hazlenut production and horticulture.

Comvita's Manuka Plantation manager John Burke will speak about the potential for manuka plantations for honey.

The free symposium is in association with Dairy NZ, Beef and Lamb NZ and Scion. Anyone interested in attending can register and view the programme at www.rotorualakes.co.nz/symposium2015.