Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ spreads water safety tips through Safer Boating Ambassador pilot

The program responds to the disproportionate percentage of Māori drowning deaths in New Zealand over the past decade. Nine students from local Māori communities were selected for the inaugural training program. The council's Harbourmaster team taught students about marine radio operation, Day Skipper theory, and in-water survival methods. Safer Boating Ambassadors impart their knowledge during community lifejacket swaps, boat ramp education days, and other events.

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Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ

New Zealand

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ creates the GeoPest data collection tool for pest surveillance

Bay of Plenty's biosecurity team worked with an outside developer on the cloud-based system. GeoPest allows field staff to gather photos and notes during property inspections. Mobile and desktop interfaces support automated dashboard updates as well as quick communications with office staff. Bay of Plenty initially rolled out GeoPest for invasive plants before expanding to nuisance animals. GeoPest improves enforcement of the council's 10-year Regional Pest Management Plan.

Bo

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ

New Zealand

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ tackles air quality issues with infrared enforcement cameras

Residential use of older wood-burning furnaces contributes to air pollutant increases each winter. Enforcement officers monitor thermal imagery from infrared cameras for signs of non-compliance with environmental regulations. The cameras only record footage of chimneys and vents on home exteriors, ensuring the privacy of Rotura residents. The new technology continues a 15-year council effort to promote dry wood use in well-maintained furnaces and heating alternatives like pellet stoves.

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Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ

New Zealand

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ conducted a chemical spill simulation training exercise

Bay of Plenty Regional Council partnered with McAlpines Rotorua Limited to conduct a training exercise simulating a chemical spill in the Utuhina Stream. Participants contained the spill, activated recovery pumps, notified authorities, blocked the drains, and diluted the chemicals. The training allowed the Council's incident response team and McAlpines staff to test their ability to protect the environment in case of a polluting incident.

Bo

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ

New Zealand

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ deployed hundreds of sticky dots to monitor fine dust particles

Bay of Plenty Regional Council deployed hundreds of sticky dots throughout the Mount Industrial area to monitor fine dust particles. The sticky dots capture air samples which are used by the Council to identify potential contaminants. The Council installed these monitors in response to air quality concerns from local residents. The thirteen monitors cost the Council approximately $500,000 (NZD) annually.

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Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ

New Zealand

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ plans to offer free regional bus service for tertiary students

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is planning a one year trial for offering free regional bus service for tertiary students. This project involves financially collaborating with the University of Waikato and the Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology to provide the free service. The goal of the project will be to improve access to tertiary education for local communities who struggle with the cost of transportation. The Council has budgeted $354,000 (NZD) in its 2020 Annual Plan for the trial run.

Bo

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, NZ

New Zealand