A new high-level plan to promote a healthy catchment in the Lake Taupo zone has been approved by the Waikato Regional Council integrated catchment management committee today.
The Lake Taupo catchment, covering nearly a tenth of the Waikato region, contains the country's largest lake, 11 smaller lakes, significant hydroelectricity
schemes, geothermal resources, and major tourist attractions.
Local zone catchment committee chairwoman, Sue Yerex, said the new Taupo Zone Plan set the strategic direction for Waikato Regional Council's integrated catchment management activities in the area over the next 10 years.
"It provides a solid basis for our catchment management activities that play an important role in protecting and enhancing freshwater, soil, biodiversity and other assets in the catchment, and supporting our vision of Taupo - healthy catchment, healthy people."
Besides work on traditional areas of activity that will 'build on past achievements', the plan signalled a shift to a broader focus on water quality, maintaining and protecting indigenous biodiversity, and reducing the risk from pests within the catchment.
Ms Yerex said the committee and council couldn't work in isolation to achieve the catchment vision.
"Maintaining and growing partnerships with iwi, agencies and key stakeholders such as the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, Department of Conservation, Taupo District Council, the agricultural and forestry sectors, landowners, and the wider community will be essential."
