Geese cull at Henley Lake

Canada geese at Henley Lake, Masterton.

Polluted water flowing out of Henley Lake into the Ruamahanga River has again emerged as a problem facing Masterton District Council.

At a council meeting this week the concerns of iwi over water quality in the river was raised and Environment Task Group chairman David Holmes said one of the biggest problems was the muck hundreds of Canada geese and ducks were leaving behind at the lake which was finding its way into the river.

He said although council "did not want the disaster" that happened last time Canada geese were culled, there was a need for another cull planned in conjunction with Greater Wellington Regional Council and scheduled for November.

As part of proposals to clean up river water Mr Holmes said another look could be taken at overcoming a polluted stream problem.

The stream which has its origins in Opaki makes its way through Masterton to the old Masterton Hospital grounds and from there heads towards Lakeview School.

Mr Holmes said the water gathered pollution along the way, mainly run-off from roads eventually discharging into the Ruamahanga.

A clean-up plan could be to re-direct the stream by creating an open drain which would run from the hospital grounds along the town side of Colombo Rd and through a culvert to the other side of the road, discharging into the new wetland area of Henley Lake.

"This would allow the water to be processed through the reeds and other vegetation before the cleaned-up water went into the river," he said.

The stream would be kept well away from Lakeview School, he said.