Council wants ruling on Lake Forsyth opening

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 14

Council wants ruling on Lake Forsyth opening

The Auditor-General will be asked by the Wairewa County Council to indicate what powers it has to spend money on a trial opening at Lake Forsyth, which might show the way to a permanent outlet. This decision was reached by the council at its meeting on Friday when proposals, including two engineering reports for a permanent opening, were again discussed. The council has funds for lake openings, but requires audit approval for special uses. Cr E. G. Grant said that

after the inspection a fortnight ago, he thought the scheme would work, as there was no shingle build-up at the proposed outlet. ‘1 agree, but how are we going to convince anyone?” said Cr H. C. Vanstone. Cr T. D. Barwick (in favour) and Cr J. N. Buckland (against) argued at length on the possibility of the sea outlet remaining open, the chairman (Mr P. N. Ussher) pointing out that the argument was based on supposition. Neither of the two engineers who had reported would guarantee that the outlet would remain open, said Mr Ussher. Cr Barwick said that the permanent opening would convert a stinking lake (it is algae infested) into clean water and a tourist attraction.

The lake should be opened at the site of the proposed channel to see how it would work, said Cr Vanstone. Before the Auditor-General would approve of the release of lake funds for a permanent opening, someone would have to show that the opening would work.

“He might raise questions if we wanted to spend $25,000, instead of say $2OOO for an ordinary opening,” said the county clerk (Mr W. F. Aydon). Cr Vanstone’s motion, that the Auditor-General be asked what guarantees the council would have to have to warrant spending money on a trial opening, was adopted.