23 January 2003
Media Statement
Key Report on Rotorua Lakes Released
A new report on management options for Lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua recommends that management options are trialled where
knowledge of the lakes and catchments is good enough. However, short-term investigations are needed to fill some gaps in
knowledge before it is safe to begin management.
The recommended approach is one of “adaptive management”.
The report, prepared by Dr Bruce Hamilton, of Western Australia, was released today by Barry Carbon, Chief Executive of
the Ministry for the Environment.
Dr Hamilton was commissioned by the Ministry to advise on managing algal blooms and other symptoms of poor water quality
in Lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua and the causes of those problems.
“Our aim was to provide another source of practical advice for Environment Bay of Plenty, which has the lead role in
management of the lakes,” Barry Carbon said. “Dr Hamilton has extensive experience in managing water quality and
integrated catchment management.”
“The report looks at activities already being undertaken or investigated and at other possible management options. The
recommendations focus on dealing with the symptoms of poor water quality while working to better understand the
processes in the lakes and catchments that contribute to the problems,“ Mr Carbon said.
The priority recommendations cover:
- Trials with nutrient stripping materials and oxygenation separately and together to determine the best methods of
using them
- Temporary groynes to trap suspended material carrying nutrients from Lake Rotorua to Lake Rotoiti, to check the best
form of permanent structure
- Temporary structures to test options for diverting the Ohau Channel, through which nutrients flow from Lake Rotorua to
Lake Rotoiti
- Investigation of booms to contain and concentrate the worst algal blooms
- Continuing research and modelling aimed at increasing understanding of catchment and lake processes and the effects of
the management measures trialled.
Mr Carbon said that Environment Bay of Plenty was already working on or has now started many investigations related to
the recommendations in the report.
“Managing the problems in Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti is complex, as this report clearly shows. We believe that Dr
Hamilton’s input is a valuable contribution to the process now getting under way to finalise action plans for these
lakes.” Barry Carbon said.
Background: Dr Bruce Hamilton
Bruce has worked for 28 years in the Western Australian Government, primarily in environmental and natural resource
management.
Bruce pioneered programs in coastal management, environmental planning, strategic control of air pollution and hazardous
chemicals, and was strongly involved in the early years of environmental impact assessment in Australia.
Bruce led the final phase and implementation of the Peel-Harvey Management Strategy, one of the biggest successful
estuarine rescues in the world. He established the Swan River Trust, three new waterways management authorities and
numerous management programs for rivers and estuaries.
Since 1999 Bruce has been a private consultant working in natural resource management, environmental management and
organisational management.
Copies of the report are available electronically or via the Ministry’s website at 5.30pm, January 22, 2004
See www.mfe.govt.nz