This week, Central Otago District Council will begin the process of gathering input to draw up a draft reserve management plan for one of its most popular and remote reserves, the wonderful wilderness that is the Lower Manorburn Dam near Alexandra.
A reserve management plan is what enables things to be able to happen on a reserve, whether it be infrastructure, planting or different types of recreational use. The draft plan reflects what is important to people about this place, and what they would like to see happen in the future. It sets the framework for the final reserve management plan, so the Council is looking forward to hearing feedback from people over the next few months.
There are people who are passionate about the Manorburn and have spent decades making improvements to the recreational and aesthetic value of this special spot. Two of them are Alexandra community stalwarts Dr Barrie Wills and Bert Kemp. They were part of a group of dedicated volunteers who were on a subcommittee of the Vincent Community Board (VCB). It was formed about 30 years ago by a group of residents as a result of concerns that the Council of the day might dispose of the reserve.
At the September VCB meeting, the subcommittee was officially wound up because it had served its purpose, particularly as the Council was now taking a more active oversight of the reserve, therefore the former subcommittee felt comfortable with handing the delegation back to the CODC.
Dr Wills reflected on his and Mr Kemp’s various achievements while guardians of the Manorburn reserve.
"The first major project we got lined up was to create a walking trail right around the dam. Bert had an army mate, and they were keen to help out with construction as a training exercise. So, I opened up the existing trails on both the north and south banks of the dam - took days with chainsaw and loppers cutting out gorse, broom, pines, willows etc. This was in the days way before any cycle trails were constructed in Central.
"We got some advice on swing bridge construction from DOC, but finances were a limiting factor, and our army contact moved up the ladder and away, so the trails remained but we never actually got to build the bridge across the upper basin. And now with cycle/walking trails everywhere a dam circuit trail has become less of a priority. However, other walking trails have been formed around the reserve.
"Weed control has always been a biggie and we regularly did raupo spraying around the dam using the CO Underwater Club boat and pumping gear from (then) Dunstan Sprayers (Paul Harrex was on the committee); likewise, they helped with briar spraying around the reserve. I supplied poplar trees from our research nursery, which were planted around the middle basin shoreline.
"Another project was to partially infill Rushcutters Bay, making it shallower and safer for curling and skating (I think Darky Henderson was involved with that), and to place a container there to store safety gear and other materials.
"There was a well-developed motor-cross track out at the dam, which attracted motorcyclists and generated a lot of noise and dust and created havoc outside the fenced area along with 4WDs tearing up the place. We eventually managed to get them to move out (up by the Alexandra Airport now), and with help from Chris Robinson reconstructed the area.
"Chris also assisted with our project to create new 'beaches' at the middle basin. Prior to that access to the water was quite difficult and risky for small kids and canoes.
"Fly-tipping, rubbish and wrecked/burned out vehicle dumping, and eviscerated animal remains have always been a problem out at the dam. There are still a few old vehicles over banks out there, although the police did get one bunch of teenagers and made them haul a car back up a cliff. Another group pushed a Pratty's rubbish container about 100m across a parking area and into the dam, where it remains to this day.
“Most years there is some winter skating out at the dam and this year we curled there on natural ice for the first time in many years (Bert and I are both members of the Manorburn Curling Club). Bert has a reputation for skating on thin ice. He is generally one of the first skaters out there as winter sets in."
Dr Wills said it had been heartening to see the renewed interest in planting natives on the reserve. The group had done some planting (mainly tussocks) and collaborated with the local wilding conifer control group to remove many of the pines growing out there.
"All going well in another decade or two we may see a valuable community reserve dominated by indigenous plants, attracting native birds and sheltering threatened herpetofauna. And a nice place for locals to visit for passive recreation."
Over the years the many hours of voluntary input from committee members, other locals and businesses had been so typical of Central Otago communities - very giving of their time, skills and labour to maintain and improve their environment at negligible cost to Territorial Local Authorities, he said.
At the community board meeting, the group was warmly acknowledged for having been instrumental in undertaking developments on behalf of the community and Council at this popular spot.
Given its increasing popularity, the process of developing a Manorburn Recreation Reserve Management Plan was the subject of a separate paper at last month's meeting. This allows for full public participation in the future setting of policies for the reserve. Following the adoption of the management plan, a reserve development plan would be developed with public input. This plan would provide more detail on actual work to be undertaken its location, funding and timing.
The community board resolved to notify its intention to prepare a Reserve Management Plan and call for suggestions to go into a draft plan for the Manorburn Recreation Reserve’s future management. The timeline for this consultation would be announced in the coming months.
A report accompanying the item stated there would be a projected balance of $30,000 at the end of the current financial year, and funding for future projects would be undertaken through the 2025/34 Long-term Plan process.
Feedback for the draft Manorburn Dam Recreation Reserve Management Plan opens Thursday 17 October 2024 on Let's Talk: Manorburn Dam Recreation Reserve Management Plan | Let’s Talk Central Otago (codc.govt.nz)
