A community group is being established to help tackle the weed problem in Lake Dunstan.
The group, which will be called Guardians of Lake Dunstan, is still being set up, but it is hoped it will be similar to the group Guardians of Lake Wanaka.
Spokesman and Lowburn resident Andrew Burton said the aim of the group was to help find solutions to controlling the oxygen weed pest lagarosiphon in Lake Dunstan.
He said after six months of ''floundering'', the group was starting to make progress and had been in talks with Land Information New Zealand (Linz).
Linz biosecurity manager David Mole will meet the group later this month or next month.
The group, made up of concerned residents and lake users, had ideas on how to eradicate and control the weed, Mr Burton said.
A broad approach to controlling the weed was needed because ''we don't believe there is one single answer to solving the problem''.
For example, spraying as well as using a suction dredge or a digger to remove the weed might be required.
Boffa Miskell had the contract to spray the lake for weed, but it was ''quite clear it's not working'' and the problem was getting worse, Mr Burton said.
''We just need to get to the bottom and find out why this weed spraying is not working.''
Action was required in the areas that were popular in summer, including Lowburn inlet and harbour, Bannockburn inlet, Old Cromwell, McNulty inlet and Champagne Gully.
The group planned to meet the Central Otago District Council, Otago Regional Council and Cromwell Community Board, and eventually hold a public meeting.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she supported the move, and a ''collaborative effort for Lake Dunstan similar to the multi-agency approach to lagarosiphon control at Wanaka''.
