The Department of Conservation (Doc) Wakatipu area office built and installed new facilities, including a cooking shelter, nine stand pipes connected to a stream and two pairs of unisex toilets with sinks and disabled access as part of a $429,000 upgrade of public amenities in time for peak summer camping.
The department will employ a Queenstown security company again this summer to patrol the campground off the Glenorchy-Queenstown road to ensure everyone, and not just a fringe element, can enjoy the lake.
Doc Wakatipu area manager Greg Lind this week said patrols were in place to prevent large parties, noise problems and disorderly behaviour.
"This is not a new issue and we will continue to address problems as they arise. In the past we have had parties going all night, various noise control issues and problems with vandalism.
"The security company will work alongside Doc and the police. If people refuse to co-operate, the police will be called and we will seek to prosecute people if necessary.
"While the area will be patrolled regularly, we also encourage people to contact either Doc or the police with any concerns."
People wishing to host a large private function at Moke Lake needed to apply for a permit from the Doc area office in Arthurs Point and pay the $95 fee. Use of generators was prohibited.
Almost 5000 people camped at Moke Lake last summer. The fee for overnight camping is $7 per adult, $3.50 per child aged 5 to 17 ,while children under 5 are free.
Camping fees are paid through a self-registration system, which is checked daily by a campsite manager.
