10 March 2022
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Lake weed stranding clean-up at lakefront
Enquiry
I understand the clean-up of the remaining lake weed at Lake Rotorua begins today. I have a few questions. Given this involves both councils, I'll put my questions to both of you and leave you to decide who is best placed to respond. I will need the response by 1pm today, thank you.
- how much lake weed was cleaned up originally and how much is expected to be cleaned up now?
- why has the council gone back on its original comments there was some weed that could not be cleaned up and would be left to wash away? What has changed?
- I understand the initial clean-up costs provided to my colleague Felix were $15k (from RLC) and $20k (from BOPRC). Can you please explain the difference between these two figures, and also provide an update on how much the clean-up of the lake week, in total, is expected to cost?
- how many complaints has each council received about the lake weed since February 1?
Response
From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:
How much lake weed was cleaned up originally and how much is expected to be cleaned up now?
More than 300 tonnes of weed has already been removed by the harvester and at the shoreline, and some has naturally dissipated.
It is difficult to determine the exact amount that will be removed from the lake today and tomorrow, but it will be a significantly smaller amount than what was removed in mid-February.
Why has the council gone back on its original comments there was some weed that could not be cleaned up and would be left to wash away? What has changed?
BOPRC will be able to provide more info regarding the reasons we decided to remove more dispersed weed from lake Rotorua.
Over the past few weeks some of the lake weed has moved and it has become more accessible to remove since the previous clean-up in mid-February.
We are working in partnership with Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Bay of Plenty Regional Council to remove the weed that washed ashore by high winds related to Cyclone Dovi, ensure a more streamlined clean-up for any future lake weed stranding, and investigate ways to prevent dispersed weed from arriving at the lakefront in future.
I understand the initial clean-up costs provided to my colleague Felix were $15k (from RLC) and $20k (from BOPRC). Can you please explain the difference between these two figures, and also provide an update on how much the clean-up of the lake weed, in total, is expected to cost?
The $15,000 contributed by Rotorua Lakes Council covered the cost of removing lake weed from the shoreline, and cartage and disposal of the lake weed off-loaded at the boat ramp by the weed harvester.
We don’t have an expected figure for clean up, but will know this once the job is complete.
How many complaints has each council received about the lake weed since February 1?
Rotorua Lakes Council has 10 requests for service recorded, to clean up lake weed on the shore of Lake Rotorua.