1. Regional Plan Variation 5 Protecting Lake Taupo Natasha Hayward Programme Manager - On farm Consents

2. Background Landuse policies & rules Wastewater policies & rules Progress Outcomes / initiatives - rural

3. Issue: Changes in lake water quality Increased nitrogen levels Algal growths Reduced clarity Land use intensification

7. Why take action ? Lake Taupo a national icon Important tourist destination national economic impacts local economic & social impacts Cultural impacts - Tuwharetoa Start of the Waikato River – regional

8. Early consultation 2000 Tuwharetoa Central Govt Taupo District Council Farmers - Taupo Lake Care Community meetings Meetings, media, newsletters Options proposed: 1. Do nothing 2. Slightly lower quality than now 3. Maintain current water quality 4. Better water quality than now

10. Pastoral farming (93%) Stock urine

11. Wastewater (7%) – municipal & septic tanks

12. A new Plan - Variation 5 Policies and rules to reduce and cap nitrogen inputs – rural and urban 1. Publicly notified 2005 2. Submissions (>100) 3. Council hearing & decision 2007 4. Appeals 5. Environment Court hearing (3-4 weeks) 2008 6. Interim decision Nov 2008 7. Final Decision June 2011 8. Operative 7 July 2011

13. Regional Plan Variation 5 key aspects Key policies Reduce nitrogen loads from farming & wastewater by 20%, by 2020 Taupo District Council Lake Taupo Protection Trust (public fund 81 million) Key rules Farming requires consent – Nitrogen discharge allowance & farm plans N trading / offsetting rule Septic tanks near lake edge require consent post 2013

14. Progress LTPT removed 100 tonnes (over half way to target) NDA’s - 97 % pastoral area Farm/nitrogen management plans - 80% pastoral area 30 farming consents granted + 14 applications 20% N reduction policy for wastewater achieved Strategy for septic tanks near lake – improvements and consent

15. Outcomes / initiatives Current farming operations well below N cap Strategic and innovative  Taupo beef brand Efficient farm systems $ from N & C (ETS) Research - other landuses, N leaching mitigation options

16. Questions ? & Thank you