At a management committee meeting in Cromwell, chairman Gordon Stewart said $5000 was allocated to the study of a long-term management plan for Lake Dunstan, after committee members scrapped a proposed $60,000 study.
It had been proposed the committee appoint a working party to study present and future demands for amenities at Lake Dunstan, required infrastructure, management of the lake area, and any necessary administration, governance, or funding. It would cost an estimated $60,000, a report to the committee stated.
Mr Stewart said $5000 was allocated for the committee members to do a study themselves, initially by reconvening to discuss the logistics of undertaking a study, and what was needed for the area.
Lake Dunstan had experienced a steady increase in popularity for recreational use by visitors and locals alike.
In documents such as the Cromwell Community Plan, community members had expressed their desire for the future development of recreation assets associated with the lake, as well as for its better management.
Another $5000 was allocated to increase the annual wage of the Lake Dunstan marine patrol, education, and enforcement officer, Shayne Hitchcock. Mr Hitchcock supplied the committee with a report on Lake Dunstan's use over summer, which had increased from previous years.
Mr Stewart said the $5000 to be added to the officer's annual salary of $43,000 would enable him to spend more time on the water during busy recreation periods.
"He does a lot more than drive around the lake in a boat but we decided he needed some more time on the water, especially during the busiest two weeks between Boxing Day and the first week of January," he said.
The committee also decided to request that the Department of Internal Affairs produce infringement notice regulations which reflected the Central Otago District Council's navigation safety bylaws.
It was resolved a letter would be sent to the department asking it to make regulations which defined infringement offences and penalties in accordance with the Lake Dunstan Navigation Safety bylaws 2006.
About $1300 was allocated for legal fees and administration involved in infringement notices.
