Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), Toi Moana Bay Of Plenty Regional Council and Te Arawa Lakes Trust would like to inform our communities and residents that Te Arawa Lakes Trust is taking up delivery of the aquatic weed management programme for the Te Arawa/Rotorua Lakes from 2022.
Te Arawa Lakes Trust’s Biosecurity Manager William Anaru says, “This is a great opportunity for Te Arawa Lakes Trust and builds on many years of the Trust’s involvement in the weed management programme alongside LINZ and Toi Moana.
“We’ll be working closely with all our lakeside communities as we get the programme underway for 2022 and will ensure people know where to get the relevant information and make enquiries regarding weed control operations on our lakes.”
Spraying is carried out twice a year utilising experienced contractors and Te Arawa Lakes Trust are preparing for the first round in April and May, subject to weather.
“It is about restoring the mauri of our lakes and with our ongoing mahi we hope to see a decline in the presence of lake weed across the region, and a long term reduction in the need for large-scale control.”
Toitū Te Whenua Manager of Biosecurity and Biodiversity Tracey Burton says it’s exciting to see delivery of this specialist work being undertaken at a local level.
“Ensuring our lakes are as healthy and weed free as possible is vital for communities to continue to enjoy and use the lakes. Having the Te Arawa Lakes Trust and their community on board to deliver this work is a win-win for everyone.” said Ms Burton.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Biosecurity Team Leader for Marine and Freshwater Hamish Lass commented that the move helps to achieve the goals set out in the 2020 – 2030 Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Plan.
“The Te Arawa Lakes Trust already plays a key role in ensuring compliance of the self-certification rules at boat ramps to avoid the spread of aquatic pests to new waterways. Taking responsibility to control and prevent further spread of lake weed already present in a lake is therefore the logical next step.”
For any enquires about the aquatic weed management programme please forward them to [email protected]
For enquiries to Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council please email [email protected]