Images are from TRM library to illustrate the mess created down river by WRC Flood Protection works over many years which ended up in 2018 with digger and bulldozer in the Bridge Pool during early spawning runs – see TRM Daily Report yesterday…
Thank you for the response to the WRC (Waikato Regional Council) invite to comment on their works programme on the Tongariro River. It confirms the verbal complaints we have endured for the last few months since the diggers changed the flow below the Bridge Pool – in the name of “flood protection” works.
Fortunately there may also be a solution on hand – keep reading…
The most noticeable comment was so many anglers complained how this would never have happened if Fish & Game had been managing the fishery… Wow!
Without naming the contributors – as we do not assume to have permission to repeat their comments – a couple of the other comments on Facebook confirm anglers frustrations as there is particularly strong feeling out there from Tongariro anglers which I am sure DOC (Department of Conservation are the managers of the Taupo Fishery) and WRC are unaware of?
“Watching the dialogue is the whole point. The original consultation was a white wash with only groups with strong vested interests and similar view points participating. Perhaps it’s not so much about consultation as the ability to have informed and balanced debate. The current position seems to be bugger the lower river to protect the upper river. The removal of willows and re-routing of the lower river was case in point. The exercise went well beyond the consented time frame and achieved little apart from the dramatic and alarming erosion now occurring. We shouldn’t allow this opportunity to pass without rigorous debate.”
TRM replied: Thank you. You argue the case very well. This may be the only opportunity for all Tongariro anglers to forcefully remind WRC that – after many years of suffering from their mistakes destroying the soul of the lower Tongariro – they have achieved nothing. It deserves more rigorous debate by experienced anglers or WRC’s “consultants” will continue to stuff the lower river. Many regular experienced Tongariro anglers do not live here. They can no longer rely on DOC or Taupo Council or other advocate groups that have continually failed. The irrefutable evidence is in the images on TRM Daily Report (more will be posted tomorrow). i.e. WRC were supposed to operate a dredge at the Tongariro mouth which was an important condition of the original consent. So please make a submission to WRC… otherwise it will be another “whitewash”.
(To illustrate how long they have been messing around the lower Tongariro River, the images on right are from 2006 – “Before” above when they tried to develop a road across the braids and a few days “after” – below – when it was washed away.)
“Sadly they will still do whatever the hell they like regarding river works, it’s just a band-aid consult… Councils make me sick with the continued destruction of our rivers – they honestly do not give a flying ^%$#!…”
Plus these last comments from a contributor who provided some light hearted comments but readers may not be aware he is the most important of all as the contributor – GC – is not only the Editor of Fishing & Outdoors Newspaper – compulsory study for all anglers – but also President of NZFFA – the anglers own political lobbying advocate organisation. (That is also why you must join them…) So now they have taken it on board the WRC Engineers may listen and revise their programme o the Tongariro?
(Images on right illustrate a small example of the mess and destruction after removing all the willows, the banks collapsed, and the river broke through at De Latours bend destroying the biggest brown trout spawning area and nursery in the Taupo region. All preventable!)
Haha must have upset them as after talking to Kirk and Lineham they promised to invite us as well.
TRM reply: Hi G, I cannot believe how you might have upset them (or DOC?). They will probably hold their consultative meeting at Hamilton anyway, well away from the Bridge Pool just to suit you.
GC What is the date?
TRM: They have not said – yet. You need to contact them so they can arrange their meeting when you are not available…
That is the best news anglers can hope for. With the failure of DOC – as Taupo Fishery Managers – to represent them over such issues down river for many years, plus the lack of other advocate groups such as TFAC (Taupo Fishing Advisory Committee) and local clubs (i.e. TALTAC _ Tongariro and Lake Taupo Anglers Club ) etc. it is most encouraging to see a strong responsible national angler organisation combined with the “power of the press” intending to lobby on behalf of Tongariro fishos.