Blog Archives

George Russell: Creator or destroyer?

7/27/2021

George Russell is the horticulturist responsible for creating the Russell lupin that now plague our waterways and threaten our native wildlife. He received an MBE for is efforts in horticulture but could he of imagined the devastation his creation would cause?

N. American variety

Russell Lupin, New Zealand

Help Create a Community Vision for Lake Dunstan

7/26/2021

Complete our survey

OTD: Call for co-operation to manage transition to braided river

7/23/2021

We are pushing for co-operation between stakeholders to manage the transition to a braided river. Although it was explained 30 years ago this would happen, only now is it starting to impact our daily lives.

More needs to be done to manage the transition and ensure we are not stuck with an ugly, sludgy mess till its complete.

Now is the time to start actively maintaining it to create an amazing place to the community to enjoy.

A.I. and scientific ingenuity: the next step in protecting NZ's lakes and rivers from invasive aquatic weeds

7/21/2021

NIWA researchers have developed a portable detector to help find and identify submerged weeds. This technology will enable agencies to survey far larger areas more efficiently than is currently possible, and potentially lead to much faster responses to new incursions.

Invasive submerged weeds can degrade water quality, exacerbate silt and flooding, reduce the number of native animals and plants and play havoc with irrigation water delivery and hydroelectric power schemes.

NIWA freshwater ecologist Dr Daniel Clements says early detection and prevention is critical for achieving effective freshwater biosecurity outcomes.

"If you can detect high-risk invasive species early, before they are widespread, and implement effective management strategies, you minimise the long-term economic, environmental, social, recreational, and cultural impacts caused by these species."

The News: Braided river 'inevitable'

7/21/2021

If done right, the transition of the Kawarau arm back to river would create a beautiful area for the community to enjoy. At the moment the Kawarau Arm is all about what has been lost, but we want to change it to what we gain.

LDCT on Radio Central

7/15/2021

Listen to Megan from Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust (LDCT) chat with Henry on Radio Central about what's going on this month with Lake Dunstan and the Kawarau Arm. We talk about how the investigation into a weed harvester is going, what's going on with the driftwood and our restoration project we have planned.

Megan will be on the radio the third Thursday of each month at 8:40am so make sure you tune in!

Week 2 of driftwood removal in the Kawarau Arm

7/13/2021

Cromwell: Some of the worst air quality in Otago!

7/11/2021

Statement from LAWA:
Cromwell has some of the worst air quality in Otago. Results indicate air quality does not meet the National Environmental Standard for PM10 in excess of 40 days each year.
Domestic heating combined with cold and calm weather during winter is a major cause of air quality degradation. Cromwell has experienced rapid population growth in recent years, with a resultant increase in wood burners.

Light up for Winter!

7/11/2021

Was a chilly but amazing night being part of the Light Up Winter 2021. Thank you to everyone who came along and had a chat with Megan, our community coordinator.
It was a brilliant night of mulled wine, live music and fantastic lanterns. Cant wait for next years!

Day 4 Driftwood removal in the Kawarau Arm

7/7/2021

BEFORE

AFTER

Fulton Hogan are making fantastic progress in the removal of driftwood in the Kawarau Arm. In just four days they have covered around 900m of the shoreline from Richards Beach to Butchers Drive.

It is the first time this part of the arm has been cleared and we cannot wait to see all the work finished. Great work Fulton Hogan and Contact Energy!