2 weeks Ago By No Author
The possibility of banning wakeboarding boats and jetskis from Tomarata Lake at Te Arai is about to be raised again as part of a new regional pest management review. Auckland Council will be looking for local residents’ views on the issue from late next month as a potential tool to prevent the spread of a new, highly invasive freshwater gold clam to the 13.9 hectare lake.
Although the clam, which is native to east Asia, was only discovered in the Waikato last year, principal biosecurity advisor Dr Imogen Bassett told Rodney Local Board members last month that, realistically, it would spread and should be included in the 2030 Regional Pest Management Plan. She said Tomarata Lake was already the fastest declining lake in the region and it was important to manage all risks, such as boats coming in from other areas and bringing the clam with it. The workshop heard that gear needed to be disinfected and throughly dried for 48 hours between different lakes or rivers to guarantee against gold clam spreading.
Once established, gold clams can clog water pipes and other infrastructure, potentially compete with native species for food and are difficult to control. Board member Ivan Wagstaff stressed the importance of engaging with people who actually lived near or visited the lake, as the use of motorised boats was an important local recreational activity. “If we consulted across the whole of Auckland, people would say ‘that makes sense, let’s do it’, but the actual impact to a smaller group of people in regards to consultation is really important,” he said.
“It’s a hyper-local situation – please don’t just stand outside Matakana markets on a Saturday asking for feedback, because council keeps doing that, or you won’t get any boat-users from Tomarata.” Colin Smith agreed, and pointed out that the whole catchment area was now managed by a local incorporated society that should definitely be included in any public engagement. Bassett “absolutely” acknowledged that it was important in any consultation process for council to be clear on what local people thought, as opposed to Aucklanders as a whole.
“We’re really keen to hear from you, because you know your communities a lot better than we do,” she said. “We’re very happy to hear from you what you think the best avenues are for us to specifically reach the people affected by this. We really want to make sure they do know and they do have their say.
” Early public engagement on the possibility of banning wakeboats and other motorised craft from Tomarata Lake and investing in managing pests at 12 additional lakes will take place between late October and December..
