Work begins on Waipa's Lake Ngaroto makeover

An ambitious plan to improve the health of Waipa's Lake Ngaroto will start this week.

The council has three projects planned for the largest peat lake in the district.

Significant sections of the walkway will be upgraded, with boardwalks over parts prone to flooding and an upgraded gravel surface for the rest.

The result will be a 2 metre-wide track Waipa District Council said will be suitable for walkers, cyclists, push chairs and mobility scooters.

Closing the western side of the track for the re-do will cause some inconvenience, but the council promises it will be worth it.

Community facilities manager Tony Roxburgh said the planned work was important to create and maintain a healthy environment.

"Many people see Lake Ngaroto as degraded and beyond help. In fact the opposite is the case. Lake Ngaroto is a culturally interesting and biologically diverse place and is a real asset to our community."

The lake itself will also be changing. A new weir (water barrier) will alter Ngaroto's water flow while a water diversion will change the flow of water entering the reserve from Lake Naroto-iti.

"As council, it is our role to ensure that the water quality is of a standard that allows a healthy ecosystem to flourish as well as providing an area for recreational water-based opportunities for our community and visitors," said Roxburgh.

The council has been trying to improve the water quality in the lake and return the wetland margins to a more natural state.

"It is our responsibility to take care of this asset and make sure it preserved for years to come."

The reserve is used for a variety of activities, from water sports to picnicking, and with the increased interest in cycling, the council expects more than 100,000 visits every year.