Over the past few months (and even well before then) water pollution and water safety issues have reared their ugly head in Wānaka and surrounds. Most recently the Wānaka Sun reported on the presence of human faecal matter in Lake Wānaka, with concern that people are bathing in the lake and nearby waterways.

Concern over local waterway protection related to continuing development and infrastructure has also been raised as possible causes of water pollution in our region. Developers, in conjunction with QLDC for their oversight and approvals of land developments, have an obligation to ensure that the environment is being considered and any pollution risks are mitigated in any development. To find out more about what QLDC is doing about water pollution and environmental protection management in the context of infrastructure and land development, contact Members of the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board: Environment- Linda Joll (+64 21 921 665 or linda.joll@qldc.govt.nz); Economic- Lyal Cocks (+64 27 438 1443 or lyal.cocks@qldc.govt.nz).

If you’re concerned about water quality and safety, you can contact us at info@fobc.kiwi, or contact WAI Wānaka at getinvolved@waiwanaka.nz. You can also report instances of pollution by calling Otago Regional Council on 0800 800 033 or by completing a report online at https://www.orc.govt.nz/environment/report-pollution/

*Find out more about water quality monitoring at https://www.orc.govt.nz/environment/water-care/water-quality/

You can check out the original Wānaka Sun article here: https://digital.thewanakasun.co.nz/html5/default.aspx

Blessed with a magnificent Spring Day, over 70 people joined Fish & Game and FoBC to celebrate the protection of the 2.7ha Bullock Creek wetland site under a QEII Covenant.

Speakers on the day were : Ian Hadland Fish & Game, Rob Wardle QEII, Dave Madden Dept.of Corrections and Ben Irving, FoBC President. Rob Wardle’s speech highlighted the significance of achieving a QEII covenant over land in an urban area. Bullock Creek is unique in this regard.

Some interesting statistics about The QEII Trust and QEII Covenants:-

• The QEII Trust was established in 1977 at instigation of some farmers wising to protect mostly forest remnants.  It is an independent charitable trust that partners with private landowners to protect sites on their land with covenants registered in perpetuity on land titles. 

• A QEII Covenant is an agreement between The QEII Trust and a landowner to protect land forever. The landowner continues to own and manage the protected land and the covenant and protection stays on the land, even when the property is sold to a new owner.

• As at· 2023, almost 70% of NZ is in private ownership. Protecting biodiversity and heritage on private land is critical to reversing the decline of indigenous biodiversity and preserving our history.

• Currently, there are 5117 registered Covenants, protecting more than 177,000 ha of private land. Added together would rank QEII Covenants fourth in size with our national parks behind Fiordland, Kahurangi and Mt Aspiring.

Following the speeches, the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing under the shade trees to enjoy a drink, some delicious nibbles organised by FoBC and good conversation.

EXCITING NEWS!

A QE2 Covenant over the Otago Fish & Game Council owned wetlands of Bullock Creek has been registered on the land title. Look out for the QE2 signs at both ends of the boardwalk. The spring fed wetlands of Bullock Creek are now protected from development in perpetuity.

Thanks to the Otago Fish & Game Council and Paul van Klink wearing his F&G hat, for making this happen.

Essentially the purpose of the QE2 covenant are:

• protect and enhance the Wetlands with native flora and fauna,

• protect indigenous biodiversity,

• restore indigenous vegetation,

• protect the source of Bullock Creek for freshwater fish spawning and rearing,

• maintain & enhance landscape value and

• maintain & enhance the use of the area for public recreation

For those of you who would like to see the full details of the covenant - click here

SAVE THE DATE! - 11 November, 2023- 4:30PM

FOBC, together with the Otago Fish & Game Council and National Trust we will be hosting a celebration of the QE2 Covenant grant with our catchment stakeholders, BC Neighbours and the wider Wanaka Community. The celebration will be held at the Hayshed adjacent the Wetlands commencing at 4:30PM on Saturday 11 November and will be followed by a casual BBQ gathering. Put the date in your diaries NOW!!

Source: F&G Council Facebook Post 19 May 2023

The Otago Fish and Game Council have added their voice to the FOBC calls for the promised $6M remedial works to be re-instated in the QLDC Annual Plan.

A media release by the Otago Fish and Game Council has been made today and should appear in the ODT. A full copy of which you can read here, but in summary:

Hearings on the QLDC Annual Plan are being held this coming Monday 22 May in the Armstrong Room at Lake Wanaka Centre. Nancy Latham will be presenting the FOBC submission. Please come and support her if you have a moment.

Stormwater remedial works deferred for 7 years!

As you maybe aware, FOBC recently submitted on the QLDC Annual Plan which has proposed the deferral of $6M Stormwater remedial works for a period of 7 years.    Please feel free to read our full submission here - QLDC Draft Annual Plan  But in summary, FOBC has submitted that:

"Deferring investment in the Stone Street stormwater upgrades as proposed in the QLDC Draft Annual Plan 2023 – 2024 is offloading past generational financial liability as a result of consented regulatory failure, to future governing bodies; and creates an unjustifiable legacy for future generations. 

The ecological health of Roy’s Bay and the tributary creeks will continue to decline with no redress, and the financial and social wellbeing of segments of our community will be impacted. Investment in upgrading the stormwater infrastructure now would enable protection of Lake Wanaka and Bullock Creek, and prevent another seven years of degradation. This timely investment would support the objective of being committed to Te Man o Te Wai, and complying with the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. 

Friends of Bullock Creek request that not only is this deferral of $ 6 million for the Stone Street Storm Water upgrade within the Draft Annual Plan 2023 – 2024 reversed, but a further $4 million is added to this sum to ensure that the upgrades are carried out in an expedient manner and supported by robust analysis to reflect the value we place on our environment and our dependence on our infrastructure for resilience."

This is the second time within a week.

After moderate rain, the storm water pond directly above the spring fed headwaters of Bullock Creek overflowed into Fish and Game’s land, through the Wetland and into Bullock Creek.

On both occasions, the storm water was full of silt and sediment and turned the creek a muddy brown. On the 12thAugust, the water was particularly dirty and it appears that could be due to some of the storm water originating from earthworks or development happening above the Alpha subdivision. This is being investigated by QLDC.

The turbidity, sediment or silt in the creek not only discolours the water but also settles onto the gravels which is not good for the trout spawning areas or the overall ecology.

We have uploaded photos and video of the flooding and subsequent damage to the wetlands to our website gallery. This includes edited video from councillor Quentin Smith who visited the site at 10pm on 16th August when the overflow was at its peak –the video is a disturbing record of how just how bad it was.

Coming just five weeks after the last storm water overflow, this repeated contamination of the wetlands and creek is intensely annoying and frustrating.

As before, the two Triton arches (underground storm water retention tanks/sumps installed by the developer at the bottom of the Alpha Series subdivision) were both completely full. Once again, the pump that QLDC put in to transfer excess storm water out of the pond and into the tanks was not operating.

FOBC has taken this up directly with QLDC, seeking answers to what happened, why and what council is doing to provide solutions. This continuing pollution of Wanaka’s iconic spring-fed water way cannot continue.

You can also view and share photos and videos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.