Environment Southland is continuing to actively monitor elevated water levels in the Waituna Lagoon.
General manager integrated catchment management Lucy Hicks said the lagoon was currently at around 2.5m and this was impacting roads, paddocks and farming activities in the area.
“It’s been very wet and cold over a busy time of year for farmers across the region. For those in Waituna, seeing the lagoon sitting this high level is concerning for some.”
“We’re actively and continually assessing the options available to us to provide support and open the lagoon.”
The community are aware that there is an ongoing consent process for the longer-term approach to opening the lagoon. While that process is underway, any opening of the lagoon would need to be through emergency powers under the Resource Management Act held by Environment Southland.
“The act provides various emergency powers for use in certain circumstances. It sets a high bar and we need to be assured we are able to meet those requirements to be able to open the lagoon.”
“We’re continuing to monitor lagoon water levels, and we have placed our catchment operations team on standby to open the lagoon, if needed.”
“Any opening would need to be carefully coordinated to occur when conditions would allow it to be done safely and effectively.”
In January, Waituna Lagoon was opened mechanically to prevent a toxic algal bloom causing ecological harm. The lagoon, which closes naturally by the sea, remained open for 59 days.
Waituna Lagoon is part of the Awarua-Waituna wetland complex and recognised as a wetland of international significance. It is home to many species of native birds, plants, fish and insects, and is a culturally important site for Ngāi Tahu.
A joint resource consent application to open Waituna Lagoon to the sea has been lodged by Te Rūnanga o Awarua, the Department of Conservation, and Environment Southland and attracted 51 submissions.
