Throwaway audit Flood vote Isolation count Streams recede

A bin audit to work out what Rotorua people have been throwing away is now over after contractors spent five days sifting through up to 700kg of rubbish and recycling each day. Contractor Waste Watchers randomly selected up to 350 kerbside rubbish and recycling bins to be examined. The audit allows the council to plan what sort of waste services it needs.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council today voted to adopt the Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaws 2020, bringing to fruition an 18-month-long process of consultation, review, submissions and hearings. The new bylaws come into force on February 1, 2021 and until then the Floodway and Drainage Bylaws 2008 remain in effect. The bylaws only apply to assets managed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council as part of the region’s flood protection and land drainage schemes.

There are currently 362 occupied managed isolation rooms in three Rotorua facilities. This is 31 rooms off capacity. There are 4198 rooms taken in managed isolation facilities nationwide.

Dry conditions across the Bay of Plenty region this year are causing stream flows levels to drop. Although many parts of the region are not experiencing low flows because of rainfall in November, some streams are beginning to recede due to a dry December. Streams will be monitored by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council into the new year to see if water shortage restrictions are required.