Joint Pānui pāpāho/News Release
Applications are now open for members of the public to be part of the Community Reference Group which will help create an Action Plan to reduce the risk and impact of future storm events in Ngongotahā.
A project team, which is made up of executive and specialist/technical staff from both Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, has been tasked with creating the Ngongotahā Action Plan which will include a range of work, agreed by the community reference group, aimed at reducing the risk and impact of future storm events.
Several people have already expressed interest in being part of the Community Reference Group, but applications can now also be made online.
The project team has established that the reference group will made up of community, iwi representatives and elected members and will 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.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has approved Rotorua-based councillor Lyall Thurston as their elected member representation on the group. Rural Community Board Chair Shirley Trumper has been discussed as the Rotorua Lakes Council elected member representation but this decision is still to go through council.
We are seeking expressions of interest from persons with the following skills:
- The ability to digest information/options and advise how to best word/pitch this information to a wider audience.
- The ability to advise future focused solutions that meet the community’s needs.
- Able to consider the big picture and make recommendations that are in the best interests of the entire area.
- Familiar with working in a collaborative environment, making quality consensus based decisions.
Applicants will be selected against the following criteria:
- Live in the Ngongotahā Catchment and/or have an intimate understanding of the area and community.
- Are representative of the community (but you don’t need to represent a particular group) and/or need to be able to speak on behalf of others.
- Have community connections via a number of Ngongotahā associated networks (e.g. clubs/sports clubs, churches, associations, interest groups etc).
- Have the required skills to fulfil the role
The required commitment would likely be:
- Prepare for and attend monthly workshops/meetings.
- Attend some community engagement events to be decided by the Community Reference Group.
For more information and to fill out an application visit:
Expressions of interest for the Community Reference Group close on Thursday 28 February.