Land Use Optimisation Overview The landscape and the use of land underpin all the other areas of focus in the BrightEconomy nine-point framework - the development of energy and biomaterials, the quality of water and choices about lifestyle and living spaces.   Land use optimisation aims to balance commercial and non-commercial uses to maximise the well-being of the community. Large proportions of land are used for fibre and food production (timber, wool, dairying and meat). All these areas harvest natural resources of soil, sun and water. Iwi-owned land is also a major driver of economic opportunity for Rotorua Maori. The goal is to facilitate the optimisation of economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes of land use while having regard for property rights. Tools and systems are needed to analyse proposed activities or regulations. The regulatory approach has to focus on outcomes that facilitate innovation, and on adoption of new technologies to balance economic and environmental outcomes. Workshop summary The land use optimisation workshop, led by BrightEconomy Board member Malcolm Short, discussed the goals of sustainable, balanced land use, the strategy and attitudes needed to achieve the goal, and some tools and land use practices already available and under development. A presentation by Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc. General Manager Rick Vallance explored the principles, practices and known tools and systems available to support land use optimisation. Participants formed groups to discuss and identify key challenges and barriers to optimisation of land use, and the opportunities they saw. To download land use optimisation workshop details, click below Forum Land use Presentation  Forum Land Use Optimisation notes  The way forward The BrightEconomy Board is working to have an economic analysis of land use options available to landowners in the district by March 2007.