MP supports lake research but relevant data needed

Jacqui Dean
Jacqui Dean
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean supports calls for more research into the health of Lake Wanaka but believes ``local councils and interest groups must first identify the relevant data and present a case for future management of the lake''.

Mrs Dean was responding to claims made at a public meeting in Wanaka on Friday that the Government was not doing enough to protect the alpine lakes.

More than 200 people attended the meeting titled ``Saving our Alpine Lakes - What Can We Do?''.

Two freshwater scientists and a panel of stakeholders spoke about the need for government-funded research and baseline data on the health of the lake and the algae, known as lake snow, affecting Lake Wanaka and recently found in Lake Wakatipu.

``I think it's positive that the community is united in its concern about the water quality of the lake, with groups like Fish and Game, Otago University, the Department of Conservation and the Guardians of Lake Wanaka working together,'' Mrs Dean said.

There was potential for groups to apply for funding through the new $100 million Freshwater Improvement Fund, announced last week.

At Friday's meeting University of Otago freshwater scientist Dr Marc Schallenberg said he would be applying for a $1.5million Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour grant to fund research into the health of Lake Wanaka.

If awarded the grant, it would pay for 19 researchers and scientists from the University's Catchments Otago project to gather data on the lake for five years.

Otago Regional Council manager resource science Dr Dean Olsen said the ORC planned to work more closely with the University of Otago through the Catchments Otago project and would assist in its funding application.

A Ministry for the Environment spokeswoman said a study under way by Landcare Research hoped to shed light on whether the recent spread of lake snow in Central Otago lakes was due to natural environmental changes.

The results of the study were expected by May/June this year, she said.

 - Kerrie Waterworth


 

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