Tikitapu's dead trees felled to open up closed ski lane

Department of Conservation worker Wiremu Redmond removing trees at Tikitapu. Photo/Supplied

A ski lane at Tikitapu (Blue Lake) has re-opened after two years following the removal of dead trees on the shoreline.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Rotorua Water Ski Club and local volunteer lakes wardens helped remove the trees in the south-western corner of Tikitapu.

The sheltered area is popular for swimming and water skiing but the ski lane was closed for safety reasons about two-and-a-half years ago due to high water levels which caused the trees to die.

At the time lake levels in the Rotorua area were at maximum capacity following high rainfall and flooding of the beaches and lake edges, particularly at Tikitapu, killing a large number of self-sown Douglas fir and pinus radiata trees.

"Lake levels have receded over the past 18 months and there has been public demand for the ski access lane to be re-opened," regional council harbourmaster lakes, Pererika Makiha, said.

"We were reluctant to re-open the ski lane given there was still a high risk while the dead trees remained."

Department of Conservation ranger Paul Cashmore agreed there was an issue of public safety which needed to be dealt with. The dead trees were removed by Department of Conservation wilding pine crew, Michael (Tai) Playle and Wiremu Redmond, with assistance from local volunteer lake warden Mike Goodwin.

A number of willow trees growing on the lake edge were also removed.

The work has created a much bigger, safe and usable beach area and the ski lane has been re-opened with buoys and signage now in place.

Work is now under way to remove the remnants of the trees and members of the public are asked to not move any of the wood to the lake edge to ensure it does not end up in the water and create an underwater hazard. The area where the trees were growing is part of the Timberlands forest estate.

Rotorua Water Ski Club president Ian Barker said club members were "pretty excited" about having the ski lane re-opened.

"A big thanks to DoC, the regional council and lake warden Mike Goodwin for making it happen," he said.

"It's a fantastic place for families to gather in summer."