Report highlights compliance across the Bay

Rotorua Water Ski Club's new floating wetland on Lake Tikitapu. Photo/File

A new report highlighting compliance with resource consents throughout the region has been produced for the first time by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, finding that more than 80 percent are meeting the full set of requirements.

Just one percent of assessments were found to be in the worst category - major non-compliance.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council works to support the sustainable development of the region through managing the effects of people's use of freshwater, geothermal, land, air and coastal resources. Issuing resource consents under the Resource Management Act.

Pollution Prevention Manager Nick Zaman said it's the first time the information has been collated into one report, capturing details on compliance for 40 percent of the 5481 resource consents that were assessed between 1 July 2014 and 30 July 2015.

"The report identified that geographically, compliance levels were largely consistent across the region. The most assessments were carried out on dairy effluent discharges, Rotorua lakes structures, earthworks and horticultural water takes. This reflects the number of consents held for these activities and the risks and/or public interest associated with these activities," he said.

"This type of geospatial reporting places us in a better position to identify and understand long-term trends in compliance."

Throughout this reporting period 112 abatement notices were issued and eight separate parties were sentenced, resulting in almost $485,000 in fines being awarded.

"With more people and businesses moving to the region it makes for a strong economy but it also puts more pressure on resources. We have the challenge of ensuring these precious resources and taonga are here for the future," Mr Zaman said.

"Our goal is to promote environmentally responsible behaviour and achieve voluntary compliance and ultimately best practise. This report forms the foundation for future reporting and we really encourage people to check it out."