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HEAD OF LAKE WHAKATIPU

Head of Lake Whakatipu

COMMUNITY UPDATE 46 | December 2025

 

Kia ora koutou,


This is our first update on the implementation stage of the Head of Lake Whakatipu Natural Hazard Adaptation Strategy since it was endorsed by ORC councillors in May 2025. We wanted to touch base and share:  

  • how we will keep you updated

  • what has changed since the Strategy was endorsed  

  • what we’re focusing on through to June 2026.

This is not a formal progress report; rather, it’s an opportunity to share any changes and where our focus is right now.  

 

How we will keep you updated

 

 

To make sure the Strategy stays transparent and accountable, ORC and our Strategy partners have set up regular ways to share progress and gather feedback:

 

Six-monthly and annual updates: The first six-monthly update will be on the Head of the Lake Adaptation Programme webpages by the end of February 2026, and the first annual update by July 2026.

 

Regular meetings: Strategy partners will meet every six months to review what is working, share lessons, and adjust actions if needed. The first six-monthly meeting will be held on 15 January 2026.

 

Action plan updates: We will review and update the Strategy’s action plan as needed to reflect any changes. Updated versions will be published on the Head of the Lake Adaptation Programme webpages.

 

Community updates: We will update the Glenorchy Community Association every six months (via emails or meetings), so they can support you to stay informed.

 

Full reviews: Every six years, we will carry out a full review of the Strategy to check it’s still fit for purpose. If the community raises urgent issues, or if a significant natural hazard event occurs, we may review it earlier.

Feedback channels: You can share ideas or raise questions anytime by phone (0800 474 082) or email.

 
view towards Glenorchy

Image: View towards Glenorchy

 

What has changed

 

 

After the Strategy was endorsed, partners reviewed the actions they are responsible for under the Action Plan of the Strategy. Some actions were adjusted to make them clearer and more practical. You can view the full list of actions here.

 

No.

Original action

Updated action

Reasons for change

1

Develop operational river management plans, including the Dart and Rees floodplains.

Develop a river morphology and riparian management plan.

Name changed to better reflect the focus and scope of the work.

2

Develop a gravel management plan for the Buckler Burn.

Develop an erosion management plan for Buckler Burn.

Name changed to better reflect the focus and scope of the work.

 

 

What we are focusing on

 

 

Alongside other ongoing work within the Action Plan, here are the key actions being carried out from now through mid-2026:

No.

Action

Who is responsible

1

Collaborate to develop a governance framework or memorandum of understanding (MoU) for addressing adaptation issues at the Head of the Lake and/or across the district, including the implementation of adaptation actions to improve resilience.

ORC and QLDC

2

Operate a network of near real-time rainfall and water level stations across the region to support flood forecasting and emergency response with a 24/7 duty roster to support forecasting duties and any necessary response.

ORC

3

Monitor and ensure ORC's network of environmental monitoring stations remains fit for purpose, providing information for flood response, for documentation of flood events, and for public awareness of river flow, lake, and lagoon levels.

ORC

4

Ensure ORC's Natural Hazards Portal includes up-to-date information on natural hazards and the impacts of climate change, providing the community with a single source for information.

ORC

5

Provide updates about programme milestones and/or progress towards actions to effectively inform community members.

ORC

6

Collaborate on path forward for assessing risk tolerance with the community.

ORC and QLDC

7

Provide information and support property owners to undertake property-level interventions to improve their resilience to natural hazards risks.

ORC and QLDC

8

Provide training and exercises for Community Resilience Group.

CDEM

 
The Glenorchy boat shed

Image: The Glenorchy Red Shed

 

Next steps

 

The first six-monthly progress update will be shared with you (via the Head of the Lake Programme webpage) in late February 2026. This will provide details on how these actions are tracking, along with other work from the Strategy’s Action Plan.

We will also be updating (via email or meeting) the Glenorchy Community Association on the Strategy’s progress.

 

Stay involved

 

This adaptation programme was initiated because complex, increasing natural hazards in the Head of Lake Whakatipu require a comprehensive management response that takes a long-term view and encompasses all types of natural hazards.

 

Your input is vital to keeping this Strategy relevant and effective
If you would like to ask a question or share an idea, you can:

 

We will provide responses to any emailed questions.

 

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