Stormwater is rainwater that falls onto land and buildings, runs into gutters and downpipes, soaks into the ground or runs off hard surfaces and into waterways – if there were no buildings and roads, land drainage would occur naturally.

The stormwater network is a system of grates, pipes, channels and overland flow paths that carries rainwater away. If rainwater is not carried away quickly, flooding can occur, resulting in property damage and sometimes personal danger.

Rotorua Lakes Council is responsible for public infrastructure, including stormwater services throughout the district. Council provides drainage systems in urban areas, carrying stormwater from properties into local streams and lakes - it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the stormwater network clear of contaminants such as rubbish, greenwaste and chemicals.  

A consolidated consent is required by Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) through its Regional Natural Resources Plan (RNRP) which has been prepared in line with the Resource Management Act (RMA) to discharge stormwater into waterways. BOPRC requires all Bay of Plenty councils to apply for a comprehensive stormwater catchment consent as a requirement of the RNRP.

A resource consent is permission from the relevant local or regional council for an activity that might affect the environment, and that isn't allowed 'as of right' in the district or regional plan.

In relation to this Rotorua Urban Area Comprehensive Stormwater Consent, Rotorua Lakes Council is submitting an application to Bay of Plenty Regional Council to consolidate its existing 39 consents for the discharge of stormwater within the RUA into a single consent.

If the application is approved, all going well we would expect it would come into effect mid-2024.

All feedback will be taken into consideration as part of preparing the consent. Focused engagement with iwi is underway in line with public consultation.

In Rotorua, stormwater runoff from 29 sub-catchments, discharges into seven main streams (Waingaehe, Waitawa, Puarenga, Utuhina, Waiowhiro, Ngongotahā and Waiteti) and directly into Lake Rotorua.

Developers and high risk industries or sites are responsible for ensuring stormwater coming from their development or site does not exceed Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) permitted levels. 

BOPRC is responsible for water quality and for ensuring uniformity and consistency across stormwater management in the region. Any stormwater discharge that exceeds permitted levels may be required by BOPRC to have a resource consent.

Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) maintains a register of high risk facilities in the urban area through a licensing process that is required by the Water Services Bylaw.

RLC also monitors stream water quality and investigates tributaries and discharges to identify areas or sources of contamination. If contamination arises from Council activities it will be rectified. If contamination arises from industrial or rural activities, BOPRC will be informed and will take appropriate action. 

As stormwater impacts the environment, a Resource Consent is required to ensure we are promoting sustainable management of both the natural and built environments through a range of tools, including land use planning.

Managing the stormwater network to help meet water quality standards and to avoid or minimise potential flooding is a positive outcome of the consent process and in accordance with the Resource Management Act (RMA). Without the correct mechanisms in place, there may be disruption to the community, loss of economic return and loss of cultural, social and recreational values.

Consolidating the consents into one will ensure consistent management of our urban stormwater network as well as reducing administration costs associated with compliance monitoring and renewals.