Ngongotahā community reference group holds first meeting

Flooding in Ngongotahā last April. Photo / File

The Ngongotahā Community Reference Group has held its inaugural meeting.

The group will help create an action plan to reduce the risk of and impact of future storm events in Ngongotahā, said the Rotorua Lakes Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in a joint statement.

The group was set up in response to the independent review of the severe weather event in April 2018.

The aim of the group was to provide advice and recommendations to both Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. They would also lead community engagement and consultation around the development of plans for short/medium and long term actions.

Project co-ordinator Elva Conroy said the group recently held its first meeting with members advising how they wanted to progress from here.

"I think we have a really diverse group with a wide breadth of local knowledge. It was great to get everyone in the same room to discuss where to from here.

The group had decided to meet monthly and would receive updates on key things happening in the catchment. Together with the two councils, the group would utilise a range of methods to share information with the community and gather feedback.

Community Reference Group members:
Heather Brake
Simon Short
Sarah Thomson
Elliot Pollard
Keith Garratt
Guy Ngatai - nominated by Ngāti Ngararanui Iwi Trust
Joe Edwards - nominated by Ngāti Tura Ngati Te Ngākau
Te Poari Newton - nominated by Ngāti Whakaue
Lyall Thurston (Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor)
Shirley Trumper (Rotorua Lakes Council Rural Community Board member)