Desire to enhance lake ‘positive’

By Richard Davison

Kaitangata dairy farmer Stephen Korteweg wants to see wetland habitats at the town’s Lake Tuakitoto restored, as an Otago Regional Council public consultation process gets under way. Photo: Richard Davison

With the enduring quality of New Zealand’s waterways under significant scrutiny recently, what people want from the region’s lakes, rivers and beaches remains a hot topic of debate. Richard Davison talks to local people about their own special aquatic place near Kaitangata: Lake Tuakitoto.

A "Special place" in South Otago needs to be carefully nurtured if it is to endure for subsequent generations, local residents say.

Earlier this month, the Otago Regional Council began a series of community workshops on the future management of Lake Tuakitoto, near Kaitangata, the initial results of which have now been published.

The 33 locals who attended the initial workshop at Kaitangata Town Hall on April 5 were divided into informal discussion groups and asked to summarise and prioritise "visions and issues" surrounding the 544ha lake, 10km from Balclutha, council liaison specialist Chantal Whitby said.

An aerial shot of Lake Tuakitoto near Balclutha, taken last month. The smallest of South Otago’s three main lakes, it is, like the others (Lake Waihola and Lake Waipori) very shallow. The lake drains into the lower reaches of the Clutha River. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

Key concerns, and ideas for enhancements, turned out to be repeated within each group.

"It was interesting that all groups had the same key concerns and suggestions on the way to address them. The feedback often centred around water quality and public access, which is a common thread among discussions on all lakes throughout the region."

A document issued to participants by the council last week summarises areas for further investigation under four headings, including water quality and quantity, access, biodiversity, and recreation/facilities.

Kaitangata dairy farmer Stephen Korteweg, whose farm sits below the lake’s outfall, said he was in broad agreement with those categories after attending the workshop.

"I’m as enthused as anyone about aspects like improving access and recreational facilities, but I believe we need to prioritise proper management of the lake itself, as all those other things depend on getting that right to begin with," he said.

Critical to conserving the lake for future generations was keeping nutrients on-farm and managing water flows through the lake.

"It’s all very well wishing for higher lake levels, but living below the lake and seeing the effects of flooding first hand, you get a different perspective."

Reinstating wetlands in lake inflow catchments could be "beneficial", providing habitat for native birds and fish, natural management of lake flows and water quality, and consequent enhancement of the locale for recreationalists, Mr Korteweg said.

However, he sounded a word of caution.

"Be careful what you wish for as a ratepayer. Any improvements need to be properly planned, staged and funding shared if they are to be palatable to the majority of people, I believe."

Kaitangata and District Promotions chairman Beau Williams said the lake enjoyed a special place in locals’ hearts, but was in need of improvements if it was to go forward.

"You could make a lot more of it with a few enhancements here and there. Simple steps like improving signage, and providing safe and convenient access would be a start. Then you can begin to look at things like plantings and walking track improvements."

Ms Whitby said organisers had been pleased with the tone and input at the initial workshop, and hoped the "positive spirit" would continue through to the next meeting, in Kaitangata on June 7.

Ultimately, outcomes from the workshops would be used to develop a "vision and action plan", from which specific projects could proceed, she said.

richard.davison@odt.co.nz