Category: News Article

ODT: A Land of Lizards

10/10/2021

In the 1980s 38 species of lizard were known in NZ. As of last month, that list now stands at 124!
Most of us don’t realise that NZ has more species of native lizard than native land birds. When compared with the UK that has a similar temperate climate to NZ, they have only 3 species as opposed to our 124!
Click on the link to read more about the research being done to classify and catalogue our beautiful and diverse lizards!

Could we be on the brink of finally winning the war against introduced mammal pests?

9/9/2021

A team of researchers are working on a one-dose oral paste that could permanently sterilise introduced predators, regardless of sex or species. This discovery could mean we finally start winning our war against introduced mammals.
Efforts to poison, catch and shoot pests are effective locally but they are not enough to eradicate all mammal pest from NZ due to their incredible breeding rates.
Lets hope this research give us the answer we are desperately waiting for!

One News: NIWA and schools combine to get to bottom of Cromwell’s air quality issues

8/16/2021

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.

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.

Radio New Zealand interview with Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust and Contact Energy

6/14/2021

Could more be done to manage the silt issue in the Kawarau Arm?

Listen as Kathyrn from RNZ talks to Boyd Brinsdon, head of hydro generation at Contact and Duncan Faulkner the project manager from LDCT.

To listen, click below

The News: Rabbits be gone

6/3/2021

Great to see the community putting the effort in to control our rabbit problem!

The settlement off State Highway 8, with a population of about 750, has managed to do what larger towns have not. The group started in September last year and set out to tackle the subdivision’s rabbit problem. It had completed 350 volunteer hours since November.

To read the full article, click below.

ODT: Lake guardians seek $25,000 help with cleaning shoreline

5/15/2021

Its amazing to see the young people of the community wanting to tackle to issues of Lake Dunstan. With the increasing awareness of climate change and global biodiversity crisis, its great the kids are keen to tackle it head on. Strong minds are needed for change and these kids are pushing forward will all their power.

Shovels, weed-whackers and other gear is needed for an army of young volunteers keen to clean up Lake Dunstan’s shoreline.

To read the article, click below.

ODT: Removal of placards stops lake protest making contact

5/10/2021

We were not involved in this protest but as we have always stated, we are committed to working with the community, Contact Energy and all the stakeholders involved towards better outcomes for our lake.

To read the article, click below.

Crux: Police, Harbourmaster shut down Cromwell cycle trail protest

5/8/2021

The community having their say today! We wholeheartedly celebrate the opening of the cycle trail today and support their ongoing work, but agree with the protestors - the current inaction at the state of the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan is not good enough.

Click the link below to read the article.