Atiamuri Power Station Is To Acquire a Verdant Landscape

Forest and Bird, Issue 186, 1 November 1972, Page 16

Atiamuri Power Station Is To Acquire a Verdant Landscape

LATE last autumn the land around Atiamuri power station in the south Waikato trembled to the noisy pummelling of bulldozers and great earth-moving machines, and as a result fresh grass now carpets the reshaped land. These changes were the first steps to be taken as part of a $27,000 face lift for this somewhat "plain Jane" hydro-electric development.

AS it lies alongside State Highway 1, Atiamuri is one of the country’s most easily seen power stations. The average number of motor vehicles travelling daily between Atiamuri and Taupo in 1969 was assessed at about 1,120; the figure today would undoubtedly be higher. The station was commissioned in 1958, when people were less appreciative of environmental values than now. The site was almost undeveloped, with parts of its surroundings inaccessible to the public. Nevertheless it was not left entirely without amenities. A highway rest and picnic area is established just down stream of the dam and a boat ramp gives limited access to the lake. Integrating Station and Surroundings What has now been started, however, is a substantial landscape development Which will eventually integrate the Atiamuri power station as a whole into its surroundings. The result will make it easier for the public to reach the non-operation parts of the site—the lake, lake fringes, and river—and make the whole area visually more attractive. The Atiamuri power station is a publicly owned utility forming part of the electricitygenerating network administered by the Electricity Department. Near it are extensive areas of production forest owned by New Zealand Forest Products Limited, and the station is within the boundaries of land administered by the Taupo County Council. All three organisations have a part to play in the landscape development now begun, as, in concept, the scheme extends beyond the power station boundaries. A proposed wilderness area, on the opposite side of the river from the highway, will form a visual backdrop to the dam and also extend

down river to the highway bridge. Native vegetation is to be re-established on the existing forest fringe and is expected to become almost self-maintaining. The wilderness area will become a sanctuary for native birds, an area for wilderness camping, and a suitable destination for short hikes from the highway rest. . More Access to River Proposals for the present highway rest and picnic spot will enlarge and develop this area between the natural physical boundaries of the river and the highway. Access to a large stretch of river bank will result and the two highway views of the concrete dam and power house will be enhanced. More shelter and containment are provided for in proposals for the two village areas, where power station staff and forestry workers live. Trees will be planted and the central grassed space will become parkland, which will give stronger identity and linkage to the built-up area. A children’s play area to serve both villages has been suggested. This would be an adventure playground rather than the conventional fabricated swings-and-roundabouts type. Holiday Venue Increased use of Lake Atiamuri as a holiday venue is envisaged in proposals for the large lake shore area already set aside as a reserve. As well as extensive planting for shelter and beauty, camp ground and caravan park facilities and chalet accommodation have been suggested. Thus planned, the reserve would be a major access point on the lake. How this area is in fact finally developed will be decided, of course, by the Taupo County Council. Suitable proposals have been

put forward for the sake of completeness of the master plan for the development. This plan is the work of a young landscape architect, Mr H. G. Evans, who is also supervising its implementation while working for the Electricity Department at Hamilton. Mr Evans’s plan is based on a major design report which he compiled during studies at Lincoln College for a diploma in landscape architecture. Comprehensive Investigation The study was comprehensive in its investigation of the Atiamuri environment, delving into the history of Maori occupation of the region and early European settlement besides such important facets as the district’s geology, soils, vegetation, climate, and land uses.

To be successful a landscape development of such scope as that at Atiamuri is best allowed to happen gradually. The abrupt upheaval caused by the heavy earth-moving machines was an essential part of the plan, but their intrusion was only temporary. Now the land has begun to settle comfortably into its new form. Natural vegetation through the area will be encouraged to propagate and spread at its own pace. Some tree planting has already been done and much more is planned for the next few years. After that it will be perhaps 10 or 15 years before the full effect of the changes to the Atiamuri landscape begun last autumn can be seen and appreciated.