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The community reference group to create a post-flood action plan for Ngongotahā will be in place by the end of February.
The creation of the team follows the April flooding that struck parts of Rotorua and Bay of Plenty. It will help Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council develop a final plan aimed at reducing the risk and impact of future storm events in Ngongotahā.
The group is expected to provide advice and recommendations to both councils and will lead community engagement and consultation around the development of plans for short/medium and long term actions. It will be made up of community and iwi representatives and elected members.
A project team, which is made up of executive and specialist/technical staff from both councils have had regular meetings since December. It is now determining how the community reference group will be established, resourced and operated.
“It is important for everyone to work together on this, pooling skills and resources to get the best outcome for the community,” Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said. “We want to ensure we get this right. We want to put things in place to try and reduce, as much as is possible, the impact of future extreme weather events.”
