Rotoiti Weed Spraying Update
November 18, 2021
Health warning for Lake Rotoiti
November 23, 2021
18 November 2021
LRCA Community Engagement Survey Results 2021
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent survey. It was a great opportunity to hear from the community. We learnt a lot from your responses and there were some great ideas raised. For the full results and analysis click here.
We received a lot of feedback that you appreciate the changes in communications since we created a Communications Policy last year. Through this we created a Facebook page, finished designing our website and went live with regular news updates, started sending bi-monthly emails and changed our printed newsletter to a magazine style summer issue. These have been well received and it was great to get that feedback.
We also see lots of opportunity to get involved with environmental issues around the lake - pest control, beach clean ups and other environmental needs. If this is an area you are an expert in, please get in touch with us at lrca@rotoiti.co.nz.
There were a number of good ideas around playgrounds and road signage and a few issues that are outside of our control. As a volunteer organisation we have to work alongside both the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Rotorua Lakes Council along with the Lakes Community Board and iwi groups. Our role is to advocate, so we will funnel these ideas through the appropriate channels.
Membership
A large number of you said: “Yes” or “Maybe” we would consider becoming a financial member of our association. You can find out more about membership here, and join now here.
Lastly, there were some great questions asked of us in the survey responses. We thought we'd take this opportunity to address a few of them that came up more than once:
Do we have a relationship with local iwi and consult with them on important issues?
Yes we do but are always looking for more ways to engage with the community. Our Chairperson, Reina Engelen is of Ngāti Tamateatutahi/Ngāti Kawati (hapu), Ngāti Pikiao/Ngāti Rongomai/Ngāti Tarawhai descent. We also have a history of working closely with Ngāti Pikiao and Te Arawa on important issues.
Do we have a relationship with the Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council?
We work closely with the Lakes Community Board, Chaired by Gisborne Point resident Phill Thomass. This is an elected group who are responsible for liaising with RLC on issues concerning the lakeside communities, including Rotoiti. Most of their meetings are attended by an LRCA representative. We work directly with key council staff on important issues such as lake levels, lake structures, sewerage schemes etc.
As a team of volunteers we do not have the same jurisdiction as an elected body such as the Rotorua Lakes Community Board or indeed RLC or BoPRC themselves, but have a history of working well together and can raise some of the issues identified through this survey.
There were many great issues raised in the survey such as playgrounds, refuse, street signs, water safety & jet ski use, repairs to jetties & seating at reserves, beach clean-ups and more fantastic suggestions. These will be funneled through the Lakes Community Board or the appropriate council.
Why have my rates increased so much?
We do our best to champion the interests of all Rotoiti property owners. When we have the opportunity to submit our thoughts on Council plans we always take the opportunity and update that information on our website. Our submission to their Long Term Plan earlier in the year can be found HERE. As for why your rates are as high as they are, this information on the RLC website may help. We will always try to represent the needs of Rotoiti ratepayers.