Picture Show Ltd/Supplied
A new national rowing championship event means Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel will be closed to the public for consecutive weekends in September. Pictured is the start of an eights race on the lake at the 2022 Maadi Cup secondary schools regatta.
A bylaw exemption has been granted allowing for the closure of Lake Ruataniwha to the public on consecutive weekends.
The man-made lake, on the edge of Twizel, is the home to South Island rowing and the bylaw exemption will allow two New Zealand championship events to be held on consecutive weekends in September.
The Mackenzie District Council (MDC) and the Twizel Community Board rubber-stamped the request on Tuesday from South Island Rowing and Rowing New Zealand who had already gained approval from Environment Canterbury (ECan).
The MDC said ECan’s maritime safety bylaws allow for the lake to be closed for rowing regattas, but not on consecutive weekends.
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The issue arose after Rowing NZ signed off the NZ Masters Championship for the lake on September 16-17.
“The date agreed by the four South Island Associations for the R2K singles regatta and Mainland Provincial Championships is the first weekend of the school holidays at the end of term 3, but in 2023 the school calendar has moved forward such that this weekend is September 23-24,” Karl Morgan, secretary of South Island Rowing said in a letter to council.
“Ordinarily this would not be a serious issue and the R2K and provincial regattas would move to another weekend.
“However, Rowing NZ have asked that the Mainland Championships become a National Inter-Provincial Championship event on September 23, which is the preferred date of the North Island associations.
“Rowing NZ are considering making this an annual event which could prove to be beneficial to the Twizel community as it falls outside of the normal tourist season,” Morgan said.
Councillor Kerry Bellringer said the Twizel Community Board voted in favour of the consecutive closures on Monday, and he asked that council clearly communicated the closures with other users of the lake.
In another lake-related issue, Bellringer also told the meeting the community board was in favour of hearing submissions and provide recommendations to council on the draft Lake Ruataniwha Reserve Management Plan and draft concept plan.
Supplied
An aerial view showing the draft Lake Ruataniwha Reserve Management Plan area that covers about 68ha of recreation reserve around the lake from Morrison Terrace along Max Smith Drive to Pukaki Canal Rd.
Both plans were publicly notified in November 2022 and submissions closed on January 15, 2023.
A report to council on Tuesday said nine submissions were received, including one from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and eight individuals or organisations. Two of the submitters have indicated they wished to be heard at a hearing.
“Overwhelmingly, submissions were in support of the draft management plan and concept plan, with seven in support and one being neutral,” the council’s community facilities and services officer Brian Milne said in a report.
The council has previously said the draft plan includes management and development direction for approximately 68ha of recreation reserve that extends around the lake from the boat launching area off Morrison Terrace to the designated freedom camping on Max Smith Drive (opposite the Pukaki Canal Rd junction).
It is the first reserve management plan prepared for the reserve and its focus is on strategic planning rather than operational matters.
“The plan’s aim is to guide day-to-day management in a way that reflects the values of mana whenua and the community,” the council said.
Council adopted the recommendation of staff that the community board hear the submissions and make recommendations to council for final approval.
