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

Tauranga City, Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Regional councils are working together with iwi and the wider community to care for land, water, and wildlife in the Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour and its catchment.

For those of you who are ratepayers, you will get an insert with your upcoming rates notices which highlights just some of the work underway.

This work includes reducing sedimentation into the harbour by trialling new methods for stopping sediment run-off; being stricter on earthworks controls; and seeking to change land use and/or stabilise erosion-prone sites.

A focus on keeping our waterways clean includes fencing and planting projects on stream and harbour margins; maintaining and upgrading stormwater networks and sewerage systems; proactive pollution audits on industrial sites; litter removal; and extensive monitoring of water quality and environmental health indicators.

Sea lettuce removal is another project although work is also being done on research into sea lettuce and its causes and possible preventative mechanisms.

The University of Waikato's Chair in Coastal Science is partly funded by BOPRC and the UoW Coastal Marine Field Station is the hub for a lot of groundbreaking research being undertaken in Tauranga Harbour and the wider Bay of Plenty.

The university has a Tauranga Coastal Economic Symposium underway, which is showcasing research by local and international scientists, economists and iwi representatives. There is a great deal happening in Tauranga Harbour and it is all focused on keeping it a fabulous place for future generations.

If you'd like more information on the regional council or any other issue, contact me on neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579 5150.