Contact Energy has finally delivered a plan for managing landscape and visual amenity values along the Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan that meets with the approval of the Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust (LDCT) 

A final version of the Landscape and Visual Amenity Management Plan (LVAMP) has also met with the approval of the Otago Regional Council (OCR).

Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust chair Duncan Faulkner said the trust is really happy with the plan. 

“It’s taken several years of robust meetings and lobbying along with major support from our advisors and the wider community, but we believe the new plan now represents significant positive change for the Kawarau Arm.”

The plan represents significant positive change for the area

“Around a year ago, we saw a transformational change with Contact Energy whereby they really started to listen to the trust’s concerns and community feedback,” he said. 

The plan lays out actions to improve biodiversity and vegetation along the lake edge; a co-design project to enhance the Old Cromwell area; what Contact Energy plans to do to manage driftwood, terrestrial and lake weed; and actions to be undertaken to improve the landscape and amenity values within the lake margin.

The plan has clear and measurable objectives and timelines that Duncan Faulkner said the LDCT would be watching to ensure these are met by Contact Energy.

Lake weed management is covered in the plan 

“I believe the new plan sets the benchmark for New Zealand in terms of managing the negative effects of hydro and that Contact is on track to meet their vision of being a good neighbour,” Duncan said.

ORC compliance manager Tami Sargeant said “the targeted approach to focussing on existing recreational areas along the riverside should result in positive outcomes for the lake, its environment and the community”.

Contact Energy head of hydro generation Boyd Brinsdon said Contact was grateful to all the contributions to the latest plan. 

“In line with our tikanga, we aim to be a good neighbour, which means respecting others and the natural resources where we operate so that future generations can enjoy,” he said. 

The LVAMP is required of Contact Energy under consents held around its Clyde Hydro scheme.

A review of the Contact Energy consent condition for the landscape and visual amenity plan was initiated in August 2022. It is a separate process and is said to be tracking well.

PHOTOS: The Central App