The Department of Conservation (DOC) has made an official complaint to the Otago Regional Council (ORC) about the degradation of parts of the Hikuwai Reserve.

Damage to the Rockabilly Gully in the reserve has been described as a “complete failure of process, design and execution” by Queenstown Lakes District (QLDC) councillor Quentin Smith.

Wānaka resident Anna Simmonds started documenting stormwater flows from the Northlake side of the Outlet Road in 2018. Parts of the Hikuwai Reserve, including cycle and walking tracks, have been eroded by silt-laden channels of water which eventually discharge into the Clutha River.

DOC owns the reserve, but the QLDC is responsible for the stormwater design in the neighbouring Northlake development. Developers are required to provide a site management plan to deal with construction related stormwater and these are reviewed by QLDC staff.

Native trees felled by stormwater in the DOC-owned reserve.

On Monday (September 6) Anna posted an update of damage to the Rockabilly Gully in the Hikuwai Reserve, showing a bank which has been eroded by several metres. She described the damage as “carnage”.

“This is appalling and can only be described as a complete failure of process, design and execution,” Quentin said in response to her post. 

ORC compliance manager Tami Sargeant said DOC’s complaint, which the ORC received on Tuesday (September 7), relates to ongoing compliance work to manage stormwater and sediment runoff from developments in the Wānaka area for a number of years.

Silt flowing into the Clutha River.

The ORC compliance team is investigating the erosion and related issues, Tami said, and is actively working with QLDC to understand what plans and actions are in place to ensure that the stormwater discharge is compliant. 

Yesterday, QLDC communications advisor Sam White told the Wānaka App that work to mitigate the effects of stormwater at Hikuwai requires a partnership between QLDC, DOC, ORC and developers of the Hikuwai and Northlake subdivisions. QLDC officers have arranged a site meeting with ORC next week and are planning a similar meeting with DOC, he said.

Anna told the Wānaka App it was “next level frustrating” that the council has been telling her for three years it is working on the issue, with nothing to show for it.

Sam said the council was working with Northlake and looking at options to improve discharge quantity and velocity throughout the network; reviewing the suitability of the original stormwater management system; and investigating the viability of further connections to the existing stormwater network.

He said the council is also working through stage three of the QLDC land development and subdivision code of practice as well as a full review of the stormwater catchment management plans for the Wānaka catchment. 

The QLDC has also been criticised for its failure to deal with numerous instances during the past few years when the Alpha Series subdivision’s (in Meadowstone) stormwater pond has overflowed and poured silted stormwater into Bullock Creek.

PHOTOS: Supplied