Contact Energy is inviting the public to have their say this weekend on concept plans for the Lake Dunstan waterfront in Old Cromwell.
The drop-in sessions are the next step in the energy company’s efforts to collaborate with the community and "co-design" improvements to the Kawarau Arm.
They follow years of criticism from Central Otago residents and visitors.
The lake is returning to becoming a braided river — a known consequence of the construction of the Clyde Dam — and the transition is not easy.
Sediment build-up and driftwood affect access to the boat ramps and jetties, while lake weed, algae and silt clog up beachfronts and cause an odour.
Under its resource consent conditions, Contact must mitigate adverse effects caused by its generation activities on Lake Dunstan and the wider Clutha catchment.
A landscape and visual amenity management plan (LVAMP) outlining how it will achieve this is a requirement of its resource consent.
In August 2022, a review of Contact’s consents was triggered by the Otago Regional Council.
It was the first review in 15 years and focused on the company’s LVAMP.
An updated plan, including actions to improve biodiversity vegetation along the lake edge and a co-design project to enhance the Old Cromwell area, was accepted by the regional council last March and Contact held community workshops the following month.
Since then, concept plans for the area between Butcher Dr and the Junction lookout have been produced by Arrowtown landscape architect Blakely Wallace and residents have been invited to view them.
The sessions will be held at McNulty House from 11am-1pm on Sunday, January 21, and 6pm-8pm on Monday, January 22.
