Work at Lake Moana nui

Council and contractors will be doing a fair bit of work in and around Lake Moana nui over the coming weeks and months. Briefly the reasons for the work are the continuing silt issues and the small leaks in the dam wall discovered earlier this year.

Council has consulted with the Lake Moana nui Steering Group that consists of representatives from both Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand and Fish and Game New Zealand. The Steering Group agrees that the work be conducted in two stages: stage one being the investigation work (which involves lowering the lake level) and the second stage being the capital improvement works that will result from the investigation. Once we have lowered the lake, it will remain lowered until we do the capital works later in the year.

The details of stage one are:

• The pond below the dam will be drained so that contractors can inspect the drain under the dam, and spillway concrete.
• Some of the silt in the pond will be removed.
• The lake will be lowered after tests on the dam; and it will remain lowered until permanent repairs are completed later in the year.
• Council is considering removing some of the built-up silt at the southern end of the lake while the lake is lowered.
• A series of holes will be opened up in the concrete facing to see the extent of damage to the earth dam underneath.

The site will be cordoned off. Residents are advised to keep well clear of the construction site and to keep children away from the edge of the lake because the soft silt is a hazard.

Residents will be notified when stage two is set to start.