'Do what it takes to clean the lakes' | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
'Do what it takes to clean the lakes'
Nick Miller would love to see the quality of Lake Rotoiti improve. Picture: Tracey Robinson (040705tr6)
By KRISTIN MACFARLANE in Rotorua
Nick Miller's superb view across Lake Rotoiti will soon be scarred by a solid wall but he doesn't care - as long as it cleans up the water.
Environment Bay of Plenty has taken the first step towards building a $12 million diversion wall in Lake Rotoiti expected to improve the lake's water quality within three to five years.
Hailing it one of the single most significant environmental remediations undertaken in New Zealand, the regional council has lodged resource consent applications for the 1250m long wall.
It will be visible up to one metre above water level but Mr Miller and other Rotoiti residents reckon that's a small price to pay to save the ailing lake.
The wall will divert water flowing in to Lake Rotoiti from Lake Rotorua, sending it down the Kaituna River and out to sea.
The wall will start near the Ohau Channel outlet which links the two lakes and extend to Te Akau Point, 75m offshore, running parallel to State Highway 33.
"I don't think the visual impact is going to be very significant at all," said Mr Miller, who has a home at Okere Falls.
The important thing to Mr Miller, who has been a part of the LakesWater Quality Society along with his wife Elizabeth since they moved to the area in the 1970s, is the health of Lake Rotoiti.
An environmental consultant, Mr Miller is keen to see the lake improved and is positive about the impact the diversion wall will have.
"I think the wall will probably work."
Being able to use the lake more often, which is just a walk away from his home, also appeals to Mr Miller.
As Lake Rotoiti's water quality has declined he has stopped using the water in the house, no longer swims in the lake and has reduced his number of boat trips. But he would love to get back to using it.
The timeframe of up to five years before improvements are made to Lake Rotoiti with the wall in place does not bother Mr Miller.
"I think it would be unrealistic to expect anything quicker than that."
Others spoken to by the Daily Post had similar views.
They are keen to see something done about the lake as soon as possible.
Kaitiaki Adventures river guides Nigel Middleton and Glenn Kay, who operate on the Kaituna River, regularly see the impacts of algal blooms in Lake Rotoiti. They agree the diversion wall is a good idea, saying some of their clients are hesitant about going out on the water because of the algae.
Whakarewa Hunuhunu of Okere Falls, who has attended numerous meetings about the "terrible" quality of the lake, is concerned about the marine life.
He "still does a bit of fishing" but hasn't done a lot of whitebaiting or looking for koura lately.
He would enjoy seeing the lake's water quality improve.
"Hopefully it's a success," Mr Hunuhunu said.
The wall will be made of solid sheet-pile material expected to last at least 50 years, although a lighter product may be needed near the channel if it is found there is insufficient firm foundation for piles.
The wall's final design was based on feedback from the public at consultation meetings and from questionnaires and technical studies.
Environment Bay of Plenty's environmental investigations manager John McIntosh said nutrients flowing from Lake Rotorua through Ohau Channel were a major cause of water quality problems in Lake Rotoiti.
Over a year, about 40 per cent of the channel flow went directly down the Okere Arm and in to the Kaituna River.
"The rest moves around the main body of Lake Rotoiti before exiting and going down the river. The wall is designed to block this flow path so all of the water goes directly to the ocean."
The Government is contributing millions of dollars towards the costs of urgent remediation work.
Concerns have been raised about the possible negative impacts of the diversion on water in the Kaituna River and Maketu Estuary. Scientists have discounted any major effects but both waterways will be monitored.
Mr McIntosh said the diversion was enough on its own for long term improvement but would be supported by sewerage schemes in some lakeside communities, septic tank system upgrades and restoration work around lake and stream margins.
"It is also extremely important we improve Lake Rotorua's water and a lot of work is being done with that, including a multimillion-dollar sewerage reticulation programme and sewage treatment upgrade," he said.
Lake Rotorua's problems were more complex than Rotoiti's.
"It will be many years before we see any improvement if urgent options can not be implemented."
This was because the catchment's groundwater was already loaded with nutrients which would seep in to the lake for decades to come, he said.
The Government, which pledged $7.2 million towards short-term measures in Lake Rotoiti, will be asked for more to fund improvements to the lakes with the cost now estimated at $170 million over 20 years.
A major sewerage reticulation programme will cost the Rotorua District Council more than $90 million over the next decade and Environment Bay of Plenty's work, including wetland construction, using minerals to improve water quality and the diversion wall, is expected to cost at least $80m.
Nick Miller's superb view across Lake Rotoiti will soon be scarred by a solid wall but he doesn't care - as long as it cleans up the water.
Environment Bay of Plenty has taken the first step towards building a $12 million diversion wall in Lake Rotoiti expected to improve the lake's water quality within three to five years.
Hailing it one of the single most significant environmental remediations undertaken in New Zealand, the regional council has lodged resource consent applications for the 1250m long wall.
It will be visible up to one metre above water level but Mr Miller and other Rotoiti residents reckon that's a small price to pay to save the ailing lake.
The wall will divert water flowing in to Lake Rotoiti from Lake Rotorua, sending it down the Kaituna River and out to sea.
The wall will start near the Ohau Channel outlet which links the two lakes and extend to Te Akau Point, 75m offshore, running parallel to State Highway 33.
"I don't think the visual impact is going to be very significant at all," said Mr Miller, who has a home at Okere Falls.
The important thing to Mr Miller, who has been a part of the LakesWater Quality Society along with his wife Elizabeth since they moved to the area in the 1970s, is the health of Lake Rotoiti.
An environmental consultant, Mr Miller is keen to see the lake improved and is positive about the impact the diversion wall will have.
"I think the wall will probably work."
Being able to use the lake more often, which is just a walk away from his home, also appeals to Mr Miller.
As Lake Rotoiti's water quality has declined he has stopped using the water in the house, no longer swims in the lake and has reduced his number of boat trips. But he would love to get back to using it.
The timeframe of up to five years before improvements are made to Lake Rotoiti with the wall in place does not bother Mr Miller.
"I think it would be unrealistic to expect anything quicker than that."
Others spoken to by the Daily Post had similar views.
They are keen to see something done about the lake as soon as possible.
Kaitiaki Adventures river guides Nigel Middleton and Glenn Kay, who operate on the Kaituna River, regularly see the impacts of algal blooms in Lake Rotoiti. They agree the diversion wall is a good idea, saying some of their clients are hesitant about going out on the water because of the algae.
Whakarewa Hunuhunu of Okere Falls, who has attended numerous meetings about the "terrible" quality of the lake, is concerned about the marine life.
He "still does a bit of fishing" but hasn't done a lot of whitebaiting or looking for koura lately.
He would enjoy seeing the lake's water quality improve.
"Hopefully it's a success," Mr Hunuhunu said.
The wall will be made of solid sheet-pile material expected to last at least 50 years, although a lighter product may be needed near the channel if it is found there is insufficient firm foundation for piles.
The wall's final design was based on feedback from the public at consultation meetings and from questionnaires and technical studies.
Environment Bay of Plenty's environmental investigations manager John McIntosh said nutrients flowing from Lake Rotorua through Ohau Channel were a major cause of water quality problems in Lake Rotoiti.
Over a year, about 40 per cent of the channel flow went directly down the Okere Arm and in to the Kaituna River.
"The rest moves around the main body of Lake Rotoiti before exiting and going down the river. The wall is designed to block this flow path so all of the water goes directly to the ocean."
The Government is contributing millions of dollars towards the costs of urgent remediation work.
Concerns have been raised about the possible negative impacts of the diversion on water in the Kaituna River and Maketu Estuary. Scientists have discounted any major effects but both waterways will be monitored.
Mr McIntosh said the diversion was enough on its own for long term improvement but would be supported by sewerage schemes in some lakeside communities, septic tank system upgrades and restoration work around lake and stream margins.
"It is also extremely important we improve Lake Rotorua's water and a lot of work is being done with that, including a multimillion-dollar sewerage reticulation programme and sewage treatment upgrade," he said.
Lake Rotorua's problems were more complex than Rotoiti's.
"It will be many years before we see any improvement if urgent options can not be implemented."
This was because the catchment's groundwater was already loaded with nutrients which would seep in to the lake for decades to come, he said.
The Government, which pledged $7.2 million towards short-term measures in Lake Rotoiti, will be asked for more to fund improvements to the lakes with the cost now estimated at $170 million over 20 years.
A major sewerage reticulation programme will cost the Rotorua District Council more than $90 million over the next decade and Environment Bay of Plenty's work, including wetland construction, using minerals to improve water quality and the diversion wall, is expected to cost at least $80m.
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