Stinky weed a nuisance for boats

Terry Hammond, Lakeland Queen managing director, says a build-up of lakeweed not only smells bad but is a navigation hazard. Photo/Ben Fraser

A build-up of lakeweed at Lake Rotorua's lakefront and southern shores is creating a terrible smell and causing problems for tourism operators.

Two large storms in the past month pushed a large amount of lakeweed on shore and while it decomposes it produces a smell not unlike raw sewage.

Lakeland Queen managing director Terry Hammond said apart from the stench the weed was a navigation hazard.

"It's a lot worse in summer," he said. "But this year it's been particularly bad. The weed also clogs up the [paddleboat's] thrusters, making it hard to pull up to the jetty."

Kawarau Jet managing director Fiona Kelly said she was constantly apologising to customers about the pong.

"We've also had to use the para-sailing boat to tow our jet boat out through the channel," she said.

At one stage they had to use a chainsaw to cut through weed to release the Lakeland Queen from its moorings.

"We know the ground is quite soft out there, but they could spray the weed to stop it building up so much. We have also noticed a lot more growth around Sulphur Point this year," Mrs Kelly said.

Lake Rd/Ohinemutu resident Mericia Waqanimaravu said the smell was so bad she could not open windows in her house.

"The fresh air is inside, not outside," she said. "It smells like a sewage pond, it's nasty and horrible.

Mrs Waqanimaravu wanted to know why the council was clearing up reserves but not outside residential properties.

The smell has made its way to Rotorua Hospital, with staff talking about the unpleasant odour. Lakes District Health Board communications officer Sue Wilkie said she had not heard any patients complaining, "but the new hospital units have air conditioning and hence no windows that open".

Rotorua District Council parks and recreation manager Garry Page said the council had removed 1600cu m of weed from around Lake Rotorua's edges in the past few weeks.

"Unfortunately, there is an area around Ohinemutu where the digger cannot access the remaining weed due to the very soft lake bed in this area," he said. "The unusually high amount of lake weed that has appeared in recent weeks is the result of a combination of factors, in part the extreme weather just before Easter.

"The current smell is from the remaining weed breaking down in the area, but should dissipate in the coming week as nature takes its course."

Mr Page said the council had received a few complaints.

"Currently the Crown, through Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), has primary responsibility for weed management in Rotorua's lakes.

"The council will be working with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and LINZ to develop and cost a management plan for future amenity weed control in the lakes."