Final Submission On Manapouri

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32392, 3 September 1970, Page 22

Final Submission On Manapouri

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 2.

After hearing 68 submissions and sitting for 34 days over three months, the Commission of Inquiry into Lake Manapouri ended its hearings in Wellington today.

The commission Sir Douglas Hutchison (chairman), Mr L. G. H. Sinclair and Mr E. A. Lee—said that the Executive Council would receive a report in due course. Sir Douglas Hutchison thanked counsel for the care and initiative that had gone into presenting reports to the commission.

“We have also been very impressed with the way the parties and witnesses have come forward to explain and present their points of view,” he said.

The Solicitor-General (Mr R. C. Savage) was the last counsel to make submissions to the commission. He was appearing for the Crown. Mr Savage said that raising the lake would cost about SB.Bm, but it would be considerably cheaper than any alternative available source of power. However, over the years the cost of the power from Manapouri would increase little, but the cost of alternative pow’er would steadily increase.

If the lake were not raised the Crown would be in breach of agreement with Comalco. and would have to renegotiate the contract or pay the damages. It was obvious from the evidence given that the company was likely to be a reluctant negotiator, and would seek a certainty of supply of electricity from an alternative source, he said.

Appearance Of Lake

Mr Savage said it would be idle to deny that raising the level of Lake Manapouri would have some remaining detrimental effect on the appearance of the shoreline, even after the proposed extensive shoreline treatment had been done. It was not claimed that the shoreline could be preserved or restored to its natural con-

dition, but it was contended that an acceptable result could be produced. “Comparisons have been drawn, sometimes in an emotional way, with the shoreline of Lake Monowai. It is submitted that there .is no validity in such comparisons in view of the great amount of work which will be done and the large sum of money which will be spent at Manapouri,” Mr Savage said. It was not suggested that for some time to come the shoreline would be as beautiful as it was now. but a reasonably acceptable shoreline would result, he said. The increased revenue of tourism as a fast growing industry had been emphasised by several witnesses.

Evidence had been given that Lake Manapouri was only one of several major tourist attractions in the Fiordland area. The centre was Te Anau, where nearly all the accommodation was situated. Effect On Tourism Mr Savage said it was impossible to assess, with any accuracy, what would be the likely effect on the industry of raising the lake. The Tourist Department had been non-committal, and

had said it was not possible to measure directly the likely economic effects. Manapouri would still be a beautiful lake. Most of the tourists did not go to Fiordland to see Manapouri or any other single feature—they went for the whole area, he said.

Wildlife habitats and nesting places of some species of water birds would be interferred with if the lake were raised, %ut just how much damage would be done was a matter of uncertainty, said Mr Savage. , The lake was not fished a great deal, but angling pressure was expected to increase. If the lake were raised, beaches would be inundated and the spawning grounds of smelt would be spoilt This would diminish the food supply for trout and salmon in the lake. Remedial Measures Remedial measures would include the provision of additional artificial hatcheries, and artificial spawning grounds. This could be done.

“Beaches, as already stated, would disappear, but most of the beaches of the eastern side of the lake are composed of glacial outwash and there is a chance that they could be re-established,” he said.

“The Ministry of Works is prepared to do everything reasonably possible. It will stockpile gravel and sand and respread it at a higher level." Mr Savage said it seemed possible, with care, proper advice and appropriate measures, to create some beaches. But obviously there would be considerable loss.