Lake feedback largely ‘on same page’
Community feedback on future plans for Lake Te Koo Utu in Cambridge has seen Waipā District Council staff tweak their original plans but retain a strong focus on improving water quality.
More than 220 submissions were received on a draft plan for the lake which aimed to improve water quality, acknowledge the site’s history, enhance biodiversity, improve play opportunities and strengthen connections between the lake and Cambridge itself.
Council’s community services manager Sally Sheedy said most submittors were on the “same page” with many ranking improvements to water quality as their top priority for the site.
“We’ve been clear there is no quick fix to the water quality issues but there are certainly things that we can and will do, and there is strong community support for that,” she said.
“Feedback showed there was also a real desire to see biodiversity enhanced and more acknowledgement of the historical and cultural significance of the site. There was also strong support for proposals to enhance the banks of the reserve through planting indigenous species.”
Overall, most people who responded to the draft plan had similar aspirations for Lake Te Koo Utu, Sheedy said. Some concerns were expressed about the proposed playground detracting from the natural beauty of the site and pressure the playground would put on parking. But those concerns were not shared by all those who provided feedback.
“We did get some very constructive and helpful comments about accessibility and in response, Council will be looking to make tracks more wheelchair and pushchair friendly, as well as increase the number of disability parks.”
Council’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee agreed today that priorities for the lake would remain on projects to improve water quality, including progressing a feasibility study to establish a wetland at the western end of the lake.
After taking advice from experts Te Miro Water Consultants, the committee agreed no further work should be done on suggestions to flush the lake to improve water quality. This position has been endorsed by the Cambridge Community Board. However, Council would continue to to undertake stormwater projects to improve water quality before it reached the lake itself.
Councillors also supported the development of an entrance off Albert St to represent mana whenua identity, heritage and culture as well as a continued emphasis on planting.
“There’s a very strong desire to maintain the existing heritage features at the lake, but at the same time do a better job of telling the story of Lake Te Koo Utu from a mana whenua perspective.”
The draft plan will now be adjusted to take note of community feedback and specific direction from Waipā’s elected members provided today. The plan will be formally adopted in February next year with timing and budgets of projects considered as part of Council’s Long Term Plan.
