Council To Assess Lake Rotorua Weed Build-Up

Thursday, 10 April 2025, 6:27 pm
Article: Laura Smith - Local Democracy Reporter

Rotorua’s council is assessing if it will deal to potentially smelly built-up lake weed at the edge of Lake Rotorua.

Rotorua Lakes Council community experience group manager Alex Wilson said the weed often accumulated after stormy weather and was typical for autumn.

Strong northerly storm winds pushed the weed towards the lakefront and a change to southerly winds could aid in its removal from the shoreline, she said.

When natural conditions were insufficient, however, she said it worked with Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Land Information NZ for a co-ordinated weed-clearance plan.

Lake weed build-up is a continuing issue. When it starts to rot it smells.

Wilson said after last week’s weather event it would confirm plans and assess the situation over the next few days.

“If it needs attention, then it is likely we’ll need an excavator in the lake to move the weed off the shore to where it can be picked up by the weed harvester and taken to a boat ramp for disposal.

“We don’t yet know the cost of the clean-up. This varies depending on how much weed needs to be cleared.”

Earlier instances of the problem include in 2022 when 300 tonnes of it was removed costing ratepayers $35,000.

Several species of pest lake weed are found in Lake Rotorua and other Te Arawa lakes.

- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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