Bay of Plenty’s 3D mapping capability is set to be boosted with the recent announcement that the region’s councils have been successful in an application for co-funding from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

In an application co-ordinated by the Bay of Plenty Local Authority Shared Service group (BOPLASS) and led by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the region’s councils will benefit from co-funding from the PGF, to cover the costs of this work. Nationally, up to $19 million will be distributed into the regions as part of this funding.

Participating Councils include Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatāne District Councils, Rotorua Lakes Council and Tauranga City Council.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair Doug Leeder said today’s announcement was terrific news for the region as it boosted the quality and quantity of 3D aerial imagery that would be available to councils.

“This imagery is used by councils in a number of ways, but in particular helps with flood modelling purposes because it provides accurate terrain and surface models of the land,” he said.

“LiDAR allows councils to better understand where water will flow, what protection may be needed and where the areas at greatest risk from flooding are.”

BOPLASS Chair Craig O’Connell said that generally, LiDAR capture across the region is already funded under Long Term Plan budgets, however this funding should reduce the amount that needs to be spent and allow planned LiDAR capture to be completed ahead of schedule.

“In the Bay of Plenty the region’s councils collaborate in a collective aerial imagery and LiDAR acquisition programme. This shared service is managed on behalf of the councils by BOPLASS, and means we’re able to provide valuable cost-savings to the councils. It’s great to be able to help make this happen.”

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