Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

For those of you interested in the Tauranga Harbour, you will be pleased to hear there is to be a strong focus on improving communication about the harbour over the next year.

First up is the 2013 Coastal Economic Symposium being run by the University of Waikato in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic on Friday, January 25. Starting at 9pm, this free symposium is open to the public and will cover the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of our water, soil and fisheries resources while continuing to explore economic opportunities in our region.

Presentations will include a keynote address by Professor Jacqueline Rowarth on the issues around economic sustainability and the role of science and research to underpin sectors which are facing mounting environmental pressures. Other presentations include a coastal research and Rena update from the Rena Research Group; brief updates on aquaculture, eel farming, iwi economic development, marine pharmaceuticals, biofuels; and summer research scholarship presentations. To attend this symposium, contact Nyree Sherlock, nyree@waikato.ac.nz

Also being planned is a one day Tauranga Harbour Symposium on Thursday, March 7. Hosted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, this will cover:

• Our knowledge of the Harbour and its catchment.
• Increasing community understanding and action – showcasing community projects.
• What the councils are doing.

I'll provide more information about this in the months ahead.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please contact me on neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579-5150. Or you can check out my website at www.janenees.co.nz