Resource consent application lodged for new Waituna Lagoon opening

Awarua Runaka, The Department of Conservation and Environment Southland have lodged a joint resource consent application for a new opening regime to assist the long-term restoration of Waituna Lagoon.

Waituna Lagoon, part of the Awarua-Waituna wetland complex is recognised as a wetland of international significance, home to several species of native birds, plants, fish and insects and is a culturally important site for Ngāi Tahu.

The application seeks to maintain and restore the ecological health and cultural values of the lagoon by having a consent in place to manage openings for the next 20 years. It would replace the previous consent held by the Lake Waituna Control Association, which expired two years ago.

DOC Operations Manager for Murihiku John McCarroll says the lagoon is a vitally important site for its conservation, recreation and cultural values.

“Over the years with careful management and monitoring in place we’ve seen how the lagoon is capable of regeneration, but recent events such as the algal bloom seen in January this year show just how quickly things can change in this incredibly fragile environment. Having a long-term process in place enables us to react and respond quickly, in accordance with the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.”

In January this year, the lagoon was opened by Environment Southland using emergency powers under the Resource Management Act 1991, to provide flushing in order to address a serious algal bloom issue, however the lagoon can not be managed in this way long term.

Group Manager Integrated Catchment Management for Environment Southland Paul Hulse says while the emergency opening was successful in achieving its desired purpose, there are limited legal grounds to use emergency powers under the RMA.

“We all agree that having no consent in place for opening the lagoon is a highly undesirable situation and we are hearing the same message from the community. We are also keen to ensure that the process provides transparency and have requested the application be publicly notified, so anyone who wishes to submit has the opportunity to do so.”

Dean Whaanga, a Trustee of Awarua Rūnaka, says the rūnaka supported the consent application because of the ecological and cultural value of Waituna for mana whenua, “We’re really keen on having a healthy lagoon, and we think by having a healthy lagoon, everything else will fall into place as well.”

Key elements of the proposed regime include a phased approach to applying trigger levels for openings to maximise the ecological health of the lagoon.

• For years 1-5, summer openings may occur if water levels are at or above 2.5m for 24 hours and winter openings may occur if water levels are at or above 2.3m for seven days;
• For years 6-15, openings may occur if water levels are at or above 2.5m for three days; and
• For years 16-20, openings may occur if water levels are at or above 2.5m for seven days.

Openings may also be considered for ecological, biosecurity, and water quality reasons, as well as fish passage in winter, providing it has not been opened in the previous 24 months.

As Environment Southland is a co-applicant and also the consent authority in this instance, processing and decision making will be delegated to external parties to ensure objectivity in the process.

The application will also request public notification by the consent authority, being Environment Southland. The application will be available to view online at this point.