Lake Waihola damp upsets camp owners

Debate surrounds drainage issues plaguing the Waihola camping ground, and its owners are frustrated with a lack of action.

Mary-Jo Nardone became camp ground manager in February and has been frustrated with the lack of proper drainage at the site.

Last year, a large section of the site was flooded as drains failed to draw away the water.

"It's a simple thing to fix with the right equipment. All we want is a simple drain put in that works."

The camp ground offers 72 power sites for campers and about 25 of them were unusable due to soft ground.

The recent sunny weather had helped to dry out some parts of the site but without proper drainage, more sun and wind was needed to firm up the ground without proper drainage, Ms Nardone said.

"It's not fair, but at the end of the day we have to pay our fees and lose out on a large chunk of our business."

Campers were happy to deal with "a bit of rain" but were frustrated with the water that did not drain away, she said.

Camp ground owner John Davidson said the drainage problem had existed since the camp started.

"The council ... just need to get the job done and we need them to complete the drainage they've promised."

Mr Davidson and his wife Ellen, own the business but lease the land and some of the buildings off the CDC.

They have owned the camping ground since December 2006 and said they had been discussing drainage issues with the council for more than two years.

"We don't want to sell the camp ground because it's our retirement ... but we just can't keep on losing people."

Clutha District Council manager district assets Jules Witt said the area had a high water table.

"When the lake is high, everything floods. We've been in discussions with the camping ground lessee and we have done some drainage in the area."

Any upgrade works on camping grounds was taken from lease revenue, Mr Witt said.

Council staff would meet Mr Davidson in two weeks to discuss the issues.