Waikato residents are invited to help finalise recommended ways of restoring and protecting the Waikato and Waipa rivers.

It’s part of work being carried out under the Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change/Wai Ora: He Rautaki Whakapaipai project.

The project’s Collaborative Stakeholder Group of 24 people – representing sectors and the community – is due to recommend ways of reducing contaminants entering waterways in the rivers’ 1.1 million hectare catchments.

A suggested regional plan change to implement the solutions is scheduled to be produced  next year.

Before that happens, the Collaborative Stakeholder Group wants comment from both rural and urban residents on what they think about what the group has discovered so far and its current thinking about the way forward.

“We’re very keen to hear what the public thinks about solutions for reducing sediments, nutrients and bacteria getting into waterways and impacting on water quality,” said the group’s chair Bill Wasley.

“We know the health of the rivers is a big concern for many people and we strongly encourage the public to have their say.”

An open stakeholder workshop will be held on Tuesday 27 October from 8.30am to 4pm at the Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton. People are asked to register by 16 October at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/healthyrivers.

A series of community workshops, running from 6.30pm till 8.30pm will also be held:

• Wednesday 28 October, Tokoroa Events Centre, 25 Mossop Rd, Tokoroa
• Thursday 29 October, Tuakau Memorial Hall, George St, Tuakau
• Thursday 5 November, Hamilton Gardens Pavilion, Hamilton
• Tuesday 10 November, Otorohanga Club, 107 Maniapoto St, Otorohanga

For anyone who can’t make these dates, the ability to participate in an online survey will be available from 28 October till 13 November.