Development Threatens Taupo Spawning Streams

Concerned anglers, DoC and local residents are up in arms over a proposed "nappy-valley" subdivision development at Kinloch. The proposed intensive sub-division development is predicted to adversely affect the key spawning streams in the bay – the Whangamata and Otakitaki Streams as well as the Okaia Stream.

The proposed development by Lisland Properties Limited initially involves the creation of a subdivision along the foreshore of Lake Taupo from the Okaia Stream to the Whangamata Stream and along the northwest bank of the Whangamata Stream to the Kinloch Golf Course. This would create sections for up to 75 houses in the first stage with over 400 houses being built in further stages.

The Department of Conservation is opposed to the subdivision in its current form. It would be in the interests of all Taupo trout fishermen support DOC in protecting these threatened spawning streams. The Whangamata alone supports around 5000 pairs of spawning trout each year. The streams also provide some excellent night fly fishing at their mouths into Lake Taupo.

Some of the concerns from a trout fishing viewpoint are:

• At present housing in Kinloch is confined to the southwest bank so there is no foot traffic disturbing the Whangamata Stream except via the foot bridge which is part of the Kawakawa Track. If this Lisland subdivision is built residents from the northwestern bank will logically take the most direct line to the Kinloch Store, restaurant and other facilities – which is straight across DOC Reserve Land and the Whangamata Stream.
• Already faecal coliforms have been detected in the Whangamata Stream as a result of the Kinloch sewage plant being overloaded and seeping underground into the stream. Further intensive subdivision development is likely to worsen this problem.
• Lisland Properties has already exhibited little regard for the environment through its construction of a small subdivision on the south eastern bank which saw spill tipped into DOC land, a collapsed bank which spilled debris onto Kinloch Road and unrestricted water runoff which turned the Kinloch Domain into a small muddy lake. If this pattern is continued in the new subdivision, the gravel beds of the streams could be rendered unsuitable for spawning trout with trout redds being covered by soil and spillage from collapsed subdivision retaining walls and contaminated rainwater runoff.
• The subdivision comes almost to the edge of the Whangamata Stream with no provision made for a sizeable (ie 100 metre) Green Belt area or reserve area between a narrow strip DOC reserve land protecting the stream and the subdivision.
• Lisland Properties have left little area for reserves and parking in their current subdivision and are selling sections as small as 500 metres for housing development. They exhibit little concern for the environment as it affects anglers and seem only concerned with putting as many houses into as small an area as they can manage in order to maximise their profits.
• Lisland intends to build both a road bridge and a footbridge across the Whangamata Stream. As exhibited some years ago when the Waipunga Stream was badly affected by roadworks development, the accompanying spillage and pollution from bridge construction is a major threat to the Whangamata Stream.
• There are no provisions from Lisland Properties to in any way improve the infrastructure of Kinloch. Already in the weekends and during holiday periods, the boat ramp and marina are seriously overloaded. Packing another 400 houses into Kinloch does not fit in with a policy of "sustainable development" as required under Resource Management consent.
• If intensive "Housing Corporation" styled housing is permitted on small, cheap sections along the banks of the Whangamata Stream, the high numbers of residents present could threaten or deter vulnerable trout as they make their way up this narrow and shallow stream during the spawning season, or increase poaching and vandalism.

The best way for anglers to support DOC would be to send in submissions opposing this subdivision development and calling for all the land between the Otakitaki Stream and the Whangamata Stream to be designated rural. In fact, it is understood the Taupo District Council’s proposed district plan does call for this land to be designated rural as opposed to the current district plan, which designates it as residential.

Any person may lodge a submission in support or in opposition to the application. Submissions must be addressed to the Chief Executive, Taupo District Council, Private Bag 2005, Taupo, and must be received by 4:30pm on Thursday 15^th March 2001. You may make a submission in writing including: your name, postal address and telephone number; the applicant (Lisland Properties Ltd), whether you wish to support or oppose the application (and your reasons); the decision you wish Council to make, and whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission. Alternatively, submission forms are available from the Council Offices. Please note you must also send a copy of any submission to the applicant:
Lisland Properties Ltd
C/- Peddle Thorp & Montgomery Ltd.
PO Box 3139
Wellington