19 April 2024
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Lake weed stranding at lakefront
Enquiry
*NOTE: This media enquiry was also directed to BOPRC and Te Arawa Lakes
Noticed the lakeweed is back en masse down at the lakefront and was wondering if I could please have some comment. Not sure who is best to answer what, hence the joint email.
How is the lakeweed dealt with and by who?
What preventative work is there?
What issues does it cause? I.e. smell can be quite overpowering, environmental issues?
Why is there such a large amount suddenly? (Assuming to do with the storm last week?)
Any complaints about it and if so what number?
Will this problem ever cease? Please explain?
Response
RLC response:
We note BOPRC has answered the question. Please see below some additional information to your enquiry from Rotorua Lakes Council.
From Group Manager Infrastructure and Environment – Stavros Michael:
Rotorua Lakes Council will take a coordinated approach with our partners (Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Land Information NZ) early next week to deal with lake weed. The weather forecast for next week is likely to see the wind change to a southerly which will also help with the clean-up effort.
We have received no complaints regarding Lake weed in the last month.
Te Arawa Lakes Trust response:
Please attribute the following statement to Dr. Daryn Bean, Te Arawa Lakes Trust Chief Executive:
Through our commitment to initiatives like Te Tūāpapa o Ngā Wai and the recent Te Waikai Otaota: Aquatic Weed Management programme, we strive to ensure a future where our rotomoana and taonga species thrive, including the echoing footsteps of our kōura or freshwater crayfish as a symbol of water quality success.
Aquatic weed management in our lakes is a collaborative effort involving local authorities, environmental agencies, and more importantly our community.
We address lakeweed, like hornwort, through removal programmes aimed at reducing nitrogen levels and improving water quality. Our preventative measures include mātauranga ā-hapū to inform regular weed harvesting to mitigate environmental issues such as odour and ecological disruption.
The recent surge in lakeweed, possibly due to storms, underscores the importance of ongoing management efforts. While complaints are referred to popular places like Kōuramāwhitiwhiti - Lakefront, we are diligent with the mindset there is an over-arching and all-encompassing approach to revitalising and maintaining our pristine wai or waterways.
BOPRC response:
Please see the below response from Bay of Plenty Regional Council which can be attributed to Rotorua Catchments Manager Helen Creagh.
How is the lakeweed dealt with and by who?
Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, and Land Information NZ work together to deal with lake weed across the Te Arawa Lakes.
All parties are working together to clean up the weed currently washed up on the lakefront by early next week.
What preventative work is there?
Land Information New Zealand is responsible for management of lake weed beds across the lakes, Te Arawa Lakes Trust carries out this work on behalf of them. There is a limited budget for weed bed control and it isn’t sufficient to control all weed beds across the lakes. Therefore, during storm events weed detaches and washes up - as is the case at the lakefront currently. Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Lakes Water Quality Society are currently working together on a business case for more investment in lake weed control across the Te Arawa Lakes.
What issues does it cause? I.e. smell can be quite overpowering, environmental issues
Lake weed wash ups like this one at the lakefront are a public amenity issue. Lake beds themselves can exclude native biodiversity (plants and shellfish such as kākahi).
Why is there such a large amount suddenly? (Assuming to do with the storm last week?)
Lake weed is detached and washed ashore by storm conditions. Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Te Arawa Lakes Trust are working together to clean up the weed currently washed up on the lake front by early next week.
Any complaints about it and if so what number?
No complaints have been received at the time of writing by Bay of Plenty Regional Council about the lake front, however a number of complaints have been received about lake weed on private property at Lake Rotoiti, a private amenity matter.
Will this problem ever cease? Please explain?
The current investment in lake weed control is not sufficient to remove weed beds so lake weed wash ups will continue. More investment in this could significantly improve the issue and we hope that a business case being developed will increase investment – thereby improving public and private amenity and protect and improve aquatic biodiversity and cultural values
