Options for Lake Tuakitoto to be presented

Lake Tuakitoto, near Kaitangata. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
Lake Tuakitoto, near Kaitangata. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
Kaitangata residents can expect further action to enhance nearby Lake Tuakitoto before the end of summer.

Following twin public meetings in April and June last year, stakeholder feedback on the future of the lake has now been collated, and will be presented at a final meeting before Christmas, Otago Regional Council said.

Changes in water quality standards between 1995 and a second, year-long assessment in 2013-14 have left the large, shallow lake and adjoining swamp requiring significant attention.

Tuakitoto, 5km east of Balclutha, is recognised as a habitat for threatened species but is also part of the Lower Clutha flood control drainage system and a popular duck-shooting location.

To protect the surrounding farmland, created by drainage of part of the wetland, the lake's water levels are controlled by ORC.

The recent consultation aimed to identify community-led projects to enhance the lake's environmental and amenity values.

ORC operations general manager Gavin Palmer said several viable projects had been identified, and would now be presented to the community for further progress.

"We'll meet with the community again later this year for a third workshop, to give them an update and look at ways to collaborate on some of the projects, perhaps through ORC's community grant scheme, the ECO Fund.

"We've separated the projects into those ORC can incorporate into our annual planning, and those that may need to be community-led because they fall outside the scope of our work."

Proposals centred around improving water quality, and enhancing access through trails, parking and signage.

Otago South Rivercare Project facilitator Lloyd McCall said the lake was one area of focus for the Clutha Community Trust-funded project this summer, and it would be happy to engage with ORC.

"We're looking at forming a farmer-led Tuakitoto subgroup once members have got lambing and calving out the way, which will look particularly at sediment mitigation in the lake."

The lake's low-lying topography was likely to require measures commonly used in Canterbury, but novel to Otago, Mr McCall said.

"With its specific issues, we might take a look at things like two-stage ditches, as well as the familiar sediment traps and riparian planting."

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