<![CDATA[LAKE DUNSTAN CHARITABLE TRUST - Stay Updated]]>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:26 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Community Power Shines at Lake Dunstan Clean-Up Event]]>Sun, 17 Sep 2023 03:26:21 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/community-power-shines-at-lake-dunstan-clean-up-eventWe are excited to share the fantastic success of the annual Lake Dunstan Clean-Up event, which once again showed just how powerful our community can be when we come together. On September 16th, 138 residents and local community group members rolled up their sleeves to restore the beauty of the shoreline, covering Richards Beach to McNulty Inlet.

Big thanks go out to those who made this event happen: Te Tapu o Tane for their great coordination, CODC for providing access to the transfer station, and Hirepool for generously lending us tools. We also want to give a shoutout to Lions, Ladies Lions, Old Cromwell Inc, Rotary, U14 Rugby, Scouts, Mohiki Reforestation Trust, Rowing, and Cromwell Primary for their active involvement. Your collective efforts showcased our tight-knit community.

This event is proof of what we can achieve when we all work towards a common goal. As we move forward, let's continue to work together to protect the natural beauty of Lake Dunstan and celebrate the unity that makes our community so special.]]><![CDATA[Learn more about the plants at McNulty Inlet!]]>Tue, 01 Aug 2023 02:07:33 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/learn-more-about-the-plants-at-mcnulty-inlet
]]><![CDATA[Collaboration with Corrections NZ]]>Wed, 26 Jul 2023 03:28:58 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/collaboration-with-corrections-nz
Since the initial planting at McNulty Inlet in October 2022, Corrections NZ has been actively collaborating with Te Tapu o Tāne to maintain the site. As we take a pause during winter, it's an excellent opportunity to reflect and express our heartfelt appreciation for the remarkable achievements of all those who have contributed to keeping the site weed-free and nurturing the plants, allowing them to thrive in their magnificence!
]]><![CDATA[ORC ECO Fund Application for Trapping Update]]>Sun, 25 Jun 2023 22:34:01 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/orc-eco-fund-application-updateAs part of our ambitions to improve local biodiversity around Lake Dunstan and provide educational and community-led projects, we are looking to install a pest trapline along 5km of the lake’s shoreline for the trust and volunteers to monitor. In March, we applied to the ORC ECO Fund for funds to purchase traps to target rodents, mustelids and possums plus bait, equipment and maintenance.
We were one of the 49 applicants with a combined request for $1.17 million when only $568,000 was available. Unfortunately, our application was unsuccessful this time, but we are thankful for their consideration and feedback to make our application more successful next time. We are now improving our application and applying to the next funding body to make this project a reality.

There is little control of mustelids, rodents and possums in the Cromwell area but there is much need for it. These pests predate on native lizards & birds and damage plants. For groups such as us who look to reintroduce native bush to the area, we need to protect the plants and the wildlife they attract. The Queenstown basin through Whakatipu Wildlife Trust has 40+ volunteer groups monitoring over 3,000 traps and in May 2023 along they removed 965 pests from the region. We hope that similar efforts can be made in the Cromwell basin and look forward to establishing our trapline in the near future once funding is secured.
]]><![CDATA[CRUX: Contact Energy seeks approval to dredge Bannockburn Inlet]]>Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:19:53 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/crux-contact-energy-seeks-approval-to-dredge-bannockburn-inletHundreds of truckloads of silt looks set to be removed from the Bannockburn Inlet near Cromwell and pumped further down the Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan towards the town.
Read article
]]><![CDATA[8 month transformation!]]>Mon, 22 May 2023 03:57:07 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/8-month-transformationWe still can't believe the transformation of this area! 8 months ago it was rabbit and exotic weed infested and had little to offer to people and wildlife.

Now it's covered in thousands of tussock, ribbonwood, Kohuhu, kōwhai, kānuka, Mānuka, harakeke, and flowering koromiko that have exploded out of their plant guards and taken to the site with incredible success. Some are already flowering and providing food for our wildlife, and it won't be long until the rest do too!
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Thank you to Te Tapu o Tāne - Growing Trees & Communities for all their efforts to get this project to this point and for their ongoing management of the site. We look forward to continuing to watch these grow and see them support the spread of native species across the shoreline.
]]><![CDATA[2023 Annual Lake Dunstan Aquatic Weed Management Meeting]]>Tue, 09 May 2023 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/2023-annual-lake-dunstan-aquatic-weed-management-meeting
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On 9th May 2023, we attended the annual Lake Dunstan Aquatic Weed Management meeting to review the 2022/23 works and assist in the planning for 2023/24. Toitū Te Whenua LINZ, Boffa Miskell, NIWA, ORC, Otago Fish & Game, Clutha Fisheries Trust, and ourselves were in attendance.

Background
  • Since 1988, Lagarosipon (or lakeweed) has been 'unmanageable in the Clutha'
  • By 1996, Lake Dunstan was 'saturated'
  • Lake Dunstan management is 'sustained control' as it is not possible to effectively eradicate due to reinvasion from upstream (Clutha/Wanaka & Kawarau/Queenstown)
  • Efforts in Wanaka are focusing on eradication techniques
  • Queenstown is on prevention and monitoring as currently little is found in Whakatipu
  • Lake Dunstan - 12 High Amenity areas (boat ramps) and 14 High Recreational areas where monitoring and works occurs.
Overview of methods
  • Hessian not possible in Lake Dunstan
    • For eradiation not sustained control
    • Costs approx. $60,000 per ha plus maintenance costs
  • Hand cutting is no longer popular option for Lake Dunstan
    • Due to high cost
    • But an appropriate backup if spraying is not possible.
    • 1024hr this financial year
  • Harvesters
    • Slow & expensive
    • Need a lot of shoreline space to dry out weeds before transporting.
  • Diquat spraying remains the best option.            
    • Diquat herbicide can achieve control at scale and within a short timeframe.
    • Risk of potential cancellation due to sediment in the water from recent rain
    • More cost-effective when can go ahead.

2022/2023 review
  • Boat-based diquat spraying at all High amenity areas
    • ​Staggered due to unfit weed conditions for spraying
  • Hand-cutting at all High Amenity areas (boat ramps) and High Recreational areas, except Jacksons.
  • Advertisement of works shared to key groups (to share with members/on Facebook), Otago Daily Times and Cromwell Bulletin to inform when works planned.
  • Signage increased significantly around work area to increase public awareness.
    • E.g. 46 signs in place on 9th May when Bendigo Boat Ramp and Approaches, Cromwell Swimming Beach, Lowburn Boat Harbour, McNulty's Inlet, Northburn Ski Lane, and Pisa Moorings sprayed.
  • LINZ, NIWA and Boffa Miskell have seen an increase in public complaints about the use of herbicides and also lack of 'visible' impact on weeds.

Looking ahead
  • In previous years spraying has not occurred at Lowburn harbour/boat ramp due to the Kiwi Water park operating at planned times of works
    • There is now a clause in their permit that will ensure spraying can occur. Correct precautions to prevent people entering the water during 24hr standdown time will be put in place.
  • NIWA investigating another herbicide, Endothall, but no plans to trail in Lake Dunstan in near future
  • NIWA, LINZ and Boffa Miskell to work with stakeholders to increase public awareness of the need for diquat spraying and the safety around its use.
  • Check, Clean, Dry programme by ORC is going through a revamp to update information, resources and public awareness of how to prevent the spread of weeds to other water bodies.
  • Boffa Miskell to liaise with ORC to increase monitoring of sites and ensure events on waterbodies noted and included in works scheduling.
  • Ten Year Management Plan for Lagarosiphon at Lake Dunstan: 2016 to 2025 up for review soon
    • Will connect with stakeholders to update the plan and get community inclusion.
Learn more about Lagarosiphon
]]><![CDATA[NOTICE ON UPCOMING LOCAL AQUATIC WEED SPRAYING]]>Thu, 27 Apr 2023 21:35:39 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/notice-on-upcoming-local-aquatic-weed-spraying
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To learn more about Diquat, click the link below
Diquat FAQ
]]><![CDATA[Mahi aroha day with Cromwell Youth Trust]]>Tue, 18 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/mahi-aroha-day-with-cromwell-youth-trust3871018​A big thank you to Cromwell Youth Trust and Te Tapu o Tāne - Growing Trees & Communities for fighting the rain yesterday to install 300 native taonga species in McNulty Inlet in just under 3 hours!
We just love the before and after photos showing how much mahi they achieved! The local wildlife and community can now enjoy these plants as they grow and attract birds, insects and lizards to the site.
]]><![CDATA[Summer Survey Results]]>Thu, 13 Apr 2023 21:16:04 GMThttps://www.lakedunstan.org/stay-updated/summer-survey-results​Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust launches biannual (twice a year) surveys to ensure the community’s voice is captured and shared with trustees and key stakeholders.

The summer 2022/23 survey focused on:
•Establishing high-use areas for boats and other uses (e.g. swimming, picnics, family)
•How to improve these spaces
•LDCT engagement
•Lagarosiphon (lakeweed) control works
•How information on control works reaches the community
•How it could be improved
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