Algal Bloom Alert for Waihola

The Otago Regional Council advises that the latest toxic algae samples taken on Thursday 7th of November 2013 show that algal bloom levels are still very high and showing no signs of decline.

Lake Waihola remains in red mode – which means the signs warning the public of potential risk to health must remain in place. The Otago Regional Council are continuing to take weekly samples from the lake.

Cawthron Institute in Nelson have advised the Otago Regional Council that they are in the process of identifying the toxicity levels and hope they will have some definitive results to us early next week

 

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Lake Waihola Waipori Wetlands Society will be held on Wednesday 10th July at 7:30pm at the Waihola Hall. All are welcome.

This year’s guest speaker will be Peter Bodeker the Chief Executive of the Otago Regional Council.

Algal Bloom – Public Meeting

The management of Algal Bloom has been a hot topic for the Waihola community and visitors to the lake over the summer. A public meeting is to be held between Otago Regional Council staff and members of the community.

There has been strong dissatisfaction within the Waihola community at the way public signage and advertising of the algal bloom issues has been undertaken. The public meeting will be held in the Waihola Hall on Wednesday 13th March at 7:45 pm. The meeting will discuss the known facts about algal bloom, the health implications and the relationship between bloom presence and water quality.

See the Otago Regional Council’s meeting presentation here

Warning on toxic algae – Otago Daily Times

Toxic Algal Bloom Report – Otago Daily Times

Reasons for Algal Bloom not that simple – Otago Daily Times

Potentially lethal new hazard – Otago Daily Times

World Wetlands Day at Titri

The Lake Waihola Waipori Wetlands Society celebrated World Wetlands Day on the 2nd of February at the Titri wetlands. Working with the Department of Conservation the walking track and viewing platform have finally been completed and opened for public use. While the project has taken considerable time with technical and logistical problems, perseverance and hard work have finally triumphed. The Titri wetlands are a fine example of the retirement of agricultural land and the natural restoration of a site into a vibrant wetland area. The track and viewing platform add a new conservation and recreation asset to the Waihola community, and it is hoped that people will enjoy the opportunity to visit this beautiful area. The track opening ribbon was cut by Maureen Wiel who was accompanied by members of her family. Her late husband, Bert, was a foundation member of Lake Waihola Waipori Wetlands Society and Bert was a tireless advocate and worker for the betterment of the wetlands. After the Opening Ceremony the group shifted to Sinclair Wetlands to do some planting followed by afternoon tea.

Lake With a View

Some of the dead willow alongside private property and the Lake Waihola edge have been removed by contractors recently. The Lake Waihola Waipori Wetlands Society have been fortunate to receive invaluable sponsorship from forestry company Wenita Forest Products and Roxburgh Contracting.  The work was undertaken with skilled machinery and  forestry workers on January 31st and February 1st to remove the dead willow killed in the Society’s 2011 spraying programme. The removal work would have cost $2500 and the Society is extremely grateful to these companies for their generous donation in this task. The area will be replanted using native wetland species and fenced off to protect the planting and the lake-land edge from stock. The Society have been aided in this project by the generosity and assistance of landowner Robert Girvan and his family. The Girvan family have a long association with the Waihola region and there is discussion with local community group Waihola Looking Forward to build a walking track in the area. The open views of the lake from state highway one have been greatly enhanced and the work adds to the natural qualities and biodiversity of the area.

…not a drop to drink?

The publication in March 2012 of  the “Water Quality in New Zealand – Understanding the Science” report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has been an important first step at improving the quality of New Zealand’s waterways. The report does not provide a “fix all” methodology for the challenges that we face in water management in New Zealand, but rather looks at understanding the science behind water quality. This is critical if we are to have rational debate that ultimately leads to sustainable management of water for industry, agriculture, recreation and domestic use. In the context of that debate the protection and enhancement of wetland’s such as Waihola and Waipori are pivotal in  their role to our local catchments. Importantly too, localised wetland and water management contribute to regional and national protection of our indigenous flora and fauna. The recreational opportunities afforded by water in New Zealand are a central part of our lifestyle that we enjoy as “rites of passage”. So gaining an understanding of the science that contributes to that lifestyle is important if we are to pass those rites of passage on to future generations. It would be a sad day in New Zealand if there was “water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.”

Wetlands Walk – Pictures from the Taieri Herald

With the Wetlands Walk completed and the Society planning what its next event will be, local newspaper the Taieri Herald printed some great pictures of a few of the 10o walkers who took part. Read the full Taieri Herald article

Wetland Walk – What a Great Day!

Sunday 25th dawned cool but fine for the Lake Waihola Waipori Wetlands Society walk in which 100 people took the opportunity visit this great area of our region. The Society were a little uncertain over what kind of response the event would attract but were gratified to have such enthusiastic numbers from a wide range of ages. Organisers had very positive feedback from the walkers who praised the area and the route that had been marked for them. Many people commented on the scenic qualities of the area, the wetlands and how enjoyable their day had been. Nearly all of the walkers took the opportunity to visit the Gillanders historic stone cottage and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to visit the oldest dwelling in the district.

The return boat trips at the end of the walk ran really well until the arrival of a terrific thunder and lightning storm at 3:00pm which along with strong wind and heavy rain made the lake conditions too unpleasant to take the last 25 people back to Surrey Bay. However, people understood the nature of the conditions and were happy to be brought back to Surrey Bay by Society members in their vehicles, so the change in conditions didn’t dampen their enthusiasm.

The Society must acknowledge the support of all of the landowners who generously allowed access over their properties, turned off electric fences and moved stock so that the event could proceed. A special mention should also go the boat drivers from the Waihola Yacht Club who ferried over 75 people from Baker Road to Surrey Bay until the conditions were too tough to continue.

The Wetland Walk has been a great opportunity for the Society to showcase its weed control work and the importance of that work for the lake and its environs. It also provided people with a close up view of a unique place in our region that we hope people will visit more often and enjoy in the future. The Society looks forward to running this event again next year and hope to see you all again.

Wetland Walk Open Day

The Lake Waihola Waipori Wetlands Society will be holding a “Wetlands Walk” on the 25th of March 2012. The walk will be an opportunity for the public community to walk part of the south-western part of Lake Waihola to opposite the Waihola township. Local landowners who are active participants in the Society’s weed control programme have given permission for their land to be utilised in the event.

Starting from Surrey Bay Road the walk provides an opportunity to view normally unseen views of the lake and its wetland areas. A short portion of the walk will follow the Clarendon/Berwick Road and walkers will have the opportunity to view the historic cottage at the Gillander property.  With outstanding views of the lake and adjacent wetlands from the quarry on Baker Road walkers will visit the remnant of totara forest on the lake’s western boundary. This is a great opportunity to see a local area that is seldom open to the public and to learn more about the significance of Lake Waihola and its environs.

The marked 10 kilometre walk will end below Bakers Road and for a gold donation walkers will be returned to Surrey Bay and their vehicles by boat. All participating walkers must register at the Surrey Bay starting point between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon on Sunday March 25th before setting off. The route will be marked and there will be two marshal points for participants to check into as they go around. Participants are encouraged to be of a moderate level of fitness and wear appropriate walking  shoes and clothing  suitable for the conditions. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop and rest so it is recommended that walkers bring a drink and something to eat.

This is not a race but a chance to stretch the legs and enjoy one of the regions unique places.

National Bank staff pay their dues at Titri

 Many of us imagine that the people who work in banks are power dressed men and women in expensive suits with a briefcase that they use for more than just taking their lunch to work. On Friday 23rd September that stereotype was well and truly broken when staff from the National Bank put their spades in the ground and planted the newly developed track at the Titri wetland. There wasn’t a business suit in sight and gumboots were the “shoe du jour.” However, one member from the bank admitted that he didn’t actually own any gumboots and had to borrow his mums!

The group planted 270 mixed native plants along the edge of the upgraded track and took some time out to look at the new bridge that has been installed and the site of the future viewing platform. Project Manager Paul Pope and Society Chairmen David Vollweiler were well supported by Society members Bert Wiel and Mark Beaton who wheel-barrowed the plants in from the car park to the new culverts, good effort guys! It was fantastic to have the bank staff at Titri and their enthusiasm and hard work was a real asset.  We look forward to having them back next year, but one things for certain we’ll be making them work even harder with more plants to put in the ground. Great job National Bank see you again next year!