Lake Rotoiti Ratepayers & Residents Association Ohau Channel paving its way info Lake Rotoiti Kia Ora Greetings from the Lake Another year is rapidly drawing to a close as we continue to keep our eyes and ears keenly tuned to the events and occurrences of the District and particularly those which concern Lake Rotoiti. Some issues, such as the On-Site Effluent Treatment Regional Plan, have been on the boil whilst a host of others remain on the simmer awaiting positive direction or otherwise. Your committee has again devoted considerable time and effort in attempting to ensure that our ratepayer dollars are fairly and equitably distributed, and that any outcome in terms of regulation changes, funding proposals, or other decisions are appropriate and acceptable, firstly for those upon whom they impact directly, and secondly for the District as a whole. We believe, and sincerely hope, that our interest and intervention has helped to realise or at least enhance the expectations of our communities. The Association is once again grateful for the solid backing received from its more than 400 subscribers who provide the strength and support behind the many submissions and requests which are made on behalf of Rotoiti stakehol ders . Many thanks also to our sponsors and advertisers, all of whom assist us in meeting our goals and objectives. May we take this opportunity to wish each and everyone another joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Chairman: Secretary: All Mail: PO Mourea Fax 362 4690 Jim Stanton Mary Stanton cl - Happy Angler Store Tel : 362 4690 Tel: 362 4690 Rotorua • From the Chairman Whilst several ongoing issues have The landfill litigation between Rotorua continued to occupy our time, 1999 has District Council and Environment BOP also given rise to a number of controver­ earlier this year which cost ratepayers sial matters over the course of the year. more than $50,000 left a number of Not least of these is a proposal by pertinent questions unanswered. Whilst former Lake Rotoiti and Combined Lakes EBOP has steadfastly defended its Ratepayers Association Chairman, Lindsay responsibility to prosecute those in Brighouse, that Rotorua Energy Charitable breach of the RMA whoever they may be Trust funds be transferred by way of (RDC admitted their guilt), there will loan or grant to retire the $40 million remain in our minds a genuine belief debt currently held by Rotorua District that the matter could and should have Council, thereby reducing the burden for been resolved through reasonable and each Rotorua ratepayer by an estimated co-operative dialogue which would have 13 percent. saved us the unnecessary expense. As would be expected, this suggestion And then there is the saga of the has generated a great deal of debate On-Site Effluent Treatment Regional Plan both for and against. Those in support which requires a number of communities argue that it makes economic sense for including Mourea, Gisborne Point and the 'under-utilised' assets of RECT which Hinehopu to adhere to a three-yearly total around $100 million to be used inspection and cleaning regime for all for the greater benefit of Rotorua's septic tanks and an obligation to upgrade citizens who effectively own the Trust. systems where they fail to meet various Opposing this view are those who believe criteria. Most will have no difficulty that the funds should remain within RECT with the underlying principles of such to be used for the charitable purposes a plan but there are certainly legitimate prescribed by the Trust Deed. arguments over the way in which it has Because of the interest surrounding been implemented. That both EBOP and RDC this proposal, we are seeking the continue to be at variance over the issue individual response of our residents highlights a disturbing trend that sees to a referendum on the subject, explained ratepayers again subjected to what may elsewhere in this issue. well be excessive and unnecessary cost. 2 Further i, ssues whi_ch are Li. keLy to A public water SUPPLY i_s a step CToser spark considerable trite rest and debate i. n coini. rig to Mourea following the recent Ln coining months are revJ. ews of the Question natre sent out by RDC. ResuTts Strategi. c Plan and Funding POLLcy <1n show suffi. ci_ent support wi. thi. n the area particular rattng dtfferenti. aLs) , and the previ_OUSTy def tried and should result i. n ongoing quest ton as to whether RDC should commencement of the Legal statutory conti. nue to fund Touri. sin Marketi. rig . Tn process shortTy. addi_ti. on, we sti. IL awai_t some postti. ve The level of Lake Rotoi. ti. , always a movement towards progressi_rig the Lakes senstti_ve i, ssue , has been weLL matntai. ned Management Strategy which we reinaLn duri. rig 1999 due to the i. nvari_ably good hopefuT wi_11 play a meantngfuL part in response from EBOP ' s engi. neers . The future proposals pertaintng to acti. vtti. es over a}I tinprovement over the past 27 on and around the Lake. years i, s due in no small part to the uni. 1st the f oregoi. rig i_denti. fi. es areas excellent monitoring and Li_at son work of concern, there continues to be some of our Local man on the spot, Mi. chael postti_ve and benefi. ci. al outcomes wi_th Gi. LL. Prob}ems with the Okere Tower regard to local TSSues. The overaLL have continued to cause i. naccurate tinprovements to SH33 between than gainari. no readi. rigs and need to be resolved to and Okere Falls are plainly vi. sthle and matntatn future tritegri. ty . should enhance saf ety i_n the area . The The Latest 3-yearly property valuati_ons road surface i, s scheduled to be re-seaLed are causl. rig concern for some i. n terms over the sununer . InstaLlati_on of the of the size of increase and the possi. ble lake navtgati. on Lights i, s complete and tinpact on rates . Whi. 1st accepted that has received favourab}e response. Some these vaLuati. ons are for rati. rig ( seemi. rigTy i_nevi. tabLe ) vandalism has purposes only , early i. ridi_cati. ons are that resuLted i_n the j etty Itghts having to many do not reasonably refLect market be resi. ted onto i. ritegral poles set in values which i, s not only misleadtng but , the Lake bed. moreover , will upset the intended SOCi. aL FOLLOWi. rig a meeti. rig of local restdents, equi. libri. urn i_n stri. ki. rig future rates . resoLuti. on was reached on the stti. rig With the Annual General Meeting of the of a Class 2 boatramp/j etty on Lake Associ. atton to be held on 9 January 2000, Rotorua at Mourea behind the Pi. ki. ao i. t i_s ti. me Iy to encourage new faces on Rugby League grounds. RDC has approved to the conni. ttee . Tnqui. Ties f rom anyone , the proposal J. n prtnci. pLe and latest espectaLLy those living I. n East Rotoi. ti. , i_ridi. cations are that agreement has been who has the i_ncli. natton to help represent reached over land easement and access the trite rests of the coinmuni. ty would wi_th a start possi. bLe i. n January 2000. be very much weLcomed. 00,000 .............................................................. NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING . OF THE . , . o . , o . , . to be held at . Pikiao Rugby League Clubrooms, Taking a Street, Mourea . \ . I0.00am Sunday, 9 January 2000 . * * AGENDA Welcome Financial Report . * Election of Committee . Apologies . * \. * . Minutes of Previous A. G. M Guest Speakers . General Business Matters Arising . * Chairmans Report . Light refreshments available at conclusion of meeting . 3 LAKE. ROUNDABOUT LAKES INSPECTORATE BOAT. JETSl:IS. Last year, in conjunction with Combined The Local Government Amendment Bill Lakes Ratepayers Association, we asked (No 3) passed earlier this year allows RDC, through the Annual Plan submissions, local authorities to continue to exercise to give strong consideration towards local control over navigation safety. upgrading the Lakes Inspectorate boat. It also gave powers to create by-laws The present vessel is demonstrably requiring j etskis to be marked ' and deficient in a number of areas given the identified (registered). In addition, upsurge in high speed craft and increased the introduction of infringement fees maintenance tasks on our lakes, particu­ of up to $1,000 when navigation safety larly Rotoiti. by-laws were breached has provided more RDC debated the matter over the next teeth for enforcement officers. several months and resolved to explore Jetskis, used injudiciously, cause much the option of tendering out the mainte­ anger and alarm, and are considered by nance work by calling for expressions many to be a 'pest' in terms of noise of interest. It is understood that four generation as well as a potential danger responses were received from which tender to other water craft users and swimmers. specifications are only now being Recently, a jet skier was prosecuted in prepared. There has also been some Tauranga Harbour for speeding within verbal indication that upgrading of the a 5 knot zone and endangering swimmers boat for regulatory purposes is likely close by. He was fined $250 plus court to proceed as part of next year's budget. costs of $130. Whilst this is good news, we had hoped It is to be hoped that prosecutions that the purchase would be finalised in such as this along with more effective time for this summer. We also believe controls over this type of activity that our interests would be better served will act as a deterrent to those who by both functions remaining as part of flout the laws and compromise the safety the responsibility of the Inspectorate. and enjoyment of others.