Wanaka weed management

15 October 2003

Lagarosiphon lakeweed in Lake Wanaka is being actively managed, says Land Information New Zealand's Paul Jackson,

Mr. Jackson, LINZ's Manager, Crown Property Management, was commenting on recent concern expressed by the Guardians of Lake Wanaka about the extent of the weed and the threat it posed.

"LINZ has a clear strategy to control Lagarosiphon on high priority sites under its administration and to manage the risk of the weed spreading to other waterways.

We're aware of the extent of the weed and inspect the lake regularly.

Our key priority is controlling the weed where it impacts most on the public: boatramps; ski-lane access points; swimming areas and shorelines."

As a result of a recent Wanaka Weed Workshop involving a wide range of community groups,  LINZ is looking at the area around Mou Tapu Island and areas north of Roy's Peninsula including the western side of the Lake from West Wanaka to Colquhoun's Flat this summer.

"It's our intention to remove any Lagarosiphon weed we find in these areas. These areas are not high priority in LINZ's five-year management plan but it is important to be flexible and attack the weed where it becomes a problem. Our basic approach to controlling the weed will remain the same."

Mr. Jackson said current funding for the lakeweed control work was achieving results.

"Our focus is on stopping the weed from spreading to other lakes. Our management plan addresses that risk and we're funded for what we need to do. The weed has not spread to Lake Wakitipu or Lake Hayes."

LINZ consults with local groups on its programme for Lake Wanaka and recognises the public interest in the lake.

"We listened to the public when they did not favour using the herbicide diquat as a control method.  Our manual methods are delivering results in the manner intended."

LINZ has a good record of controlling weed in other areas of the South Island.  In Lake Dunstan, which has a far greater infestation of Lagarosiphon than Lake Wanaka, LINZ has successfully completed herbicide control works at Bendigo Boat Ramp, Lowburn Inlet and Old Cromwell.  This programme is providing noticeable results for LINZ and the community. 
LINZ has a hotline for the public to ring if they notice outbreaks of Lagarosiphon weed in Lake Wanaka or other lakes LINZ administers: 0508 244 746.

For further information please contact:

Paul Jackson
Manager, Crown Property
Land Information New Zealand  
Private Box 5501
WELLINGTON
PH: 04 460 0158
FAX: 04 460 0590
CELL: 027 249 1258
EMAIL: pjackson@linz.govt.nz

LINZ media liaison:

Michael Mead 
Senior Communications Adviser       
Land Information New Zealand   
Private Box 5501
WELLINGTON
PH: (04) 498 3516
FAX: (04) 472 1864
CELL: 027 444 3901
EMAIL: mmead@linz.govt.nz

Notes for editors

Lagarosiphon facts

• Lagarosiphon major is an oxygen weed that has become established in many New Zealand waterways. It prefers clean, clear water, where it forms dense stands that out compete native vegetation and can cause problems for both recreational users and native species

More information

• More information on LINZ's weed programme is available on the LINZ site on the Crown Property/Biosecurity pages.
  
• LINZ's magazine Landscan, in the March 2003 issue, has a series of articles on LINZ's weed programme. Hard copies are now available and Landscan is available on LINZ's Internet site