Lake Whakatipu's natural hazard threats on the agenda

A plan to protect Glenorchy and Kinloch townships from flooding around Lake Whakatipu will be finalised this week.

Otago Regional Councillors meet Wednesday, to approve the use of a draft Natural Hazards Adaptation Strategy for the Head of Lake Whakatipu area for public feedback.

“This Strategy is a result of all the work we have done to date to understand the hazards in this area. It’s a holistic natural hazards strategy, which means we have considered lots of different types of responses that contribute towards natural hazards management,” Otago Regional Council General Manager Science and Resilience Tom Dyer says.

Mr Dyer says the Head of Lake Whakatipu area, which includes the townships of Glenorchy and Kinloch and the Dart and Rees River floodplains, is exposed to a complex range of natural hazards including flooding from the lake or rivers, landslides, and earthquake-related hazards.

“These natural hazards are relatively frequent and can be disruptive, and climate and landscape changes could make some of these natural hazards worse.”

The draft summary report highlights two major natural hazards, flooding and seismic hazards, and discusses their associated impacts or consequences to the community as well as critical infrastructure. Other natural hazards are discussed in the draft detailed report.

“The vision of the Strategy is a resilient and sustainable Head of Lake Whakatipu, where proactive natural hazard and climate adaptation enhance community wellbeing and safety. Resilience in our context is the capacity and ability to plan for, withstand, and recover quickly from difficult conditions,” Mr Dyer says.  

“The Strategy also outlines five goals with specific objectives to help achieve this vision, as well as an action plan and activities, and future potential responses to support the community to adapt to natural hazard risks and climate change impacts. These are what we are asking the community to give us feedback on.

“We’ve carried out a series of activities to support the development of this Strategy, including community engagement sessions and technical studies.

“The Strategy is the result of collective effort and belongs to everyone. Each community member in the Head of Lake Whakatipu area has a role to play in making the area safer and more resilient.”

The feedback period runs from 10am, Thursday, December 5 to 11.59pm, Sunday, February 23, 2025.

Details will be available from 10am, Thursday, on ORC’s website.

The revised Strategy is expected to be released in the first half of 2025. 

Main Image: The township of Glenorchy during flood conditions from the Dart River.