Opening of Waituna Lagoon questioned

Otago Daily Times

5 days ago

A panel deciding on the management of a Southland lagoon has questioned aspects of a proposal for future openings.
A three-day hearing started in Invercargill yesterday regarding the Waituna Lagoon — specifically, a joint application to periodically open it to the sea.
The lagoon forms part of an internationally significant wetland southeast of Invercargill but has been plagued by both high water levels and algae outbreaks.
Te Rūnanga o Awarua, Department of Conservation and Environment Southland hope to improve its fortunes by gaining permission to open it to the sea based on varying triggers.
But the proposal was met with some push-back from the panel, Dr Ian Boothroyd concerned about the governance structure and how it would play out.
Dr Boothroyd also questioned a lack of details surrounding the authority and role of each agency involved, while member Megan McKay said it was difficult to see who was ultimately responsible for the proposed activity.
Panel chairman Mark St Clair also had concerns, saying there was a lack of evidence on operational matters such as moving diggers.
He said there was no spill management plan, information on minimising disturbance, or refueling information, which was "standard" in a consent.
Protocol for activities such as disturbing shorebirds needed to be included in the consent, but the panel did not believe it was, subject to the joint witness statement.
Doc solicitor Pene Williams represented the applicants and conceded there were some "level of detail" which was not yet available. In response to the chairman's concerns, she said she did not believe any of the joint witness statements addressed that issue.
Ms Williams said they were committed to working with the community and other stakeholders to ensure the health of Waituna.
"It's the bottom of the catchment, it's the receiving environment. So it is at risk of nutrient buildup from excessive contaminant loads, and that can have an impact on its water quality."
Dean Whaanga, speaking as a mātauranga expert, said the lagoon was a unique and vital part of Murihiku.
"It nourishes the health of our whanau and communities, the environment, economy and the quality of life."
The proposed application helped achieve cultural aspirations and restore the mana and mauri of the lagoon, he said.
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.