| 67 “When the lake reaches the top it will be 1.7 kilometres long, 600 metres wide and 60 metres deep at its deepest point. It will be a huge reservoir of fresh water.” Kimihia project aims to solve ecological problems Kimihia Lakes Development By creating new wetlands and native fish habitats, the enhanced water quality will result in making the lake suitable for swimming and for recreational water sports. T T Richard Loader DEVELOPMENT Bisected by the Waikato Expressway, Kimihia Lake was once one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Waikato region, but when coal was discovered in the area in the late 1800s mining operations took place in the Lake surrounds for over half a century. Coal seams led to tunneling work under the lake and in the 1950s it was determined to be financially feasible to drain the lake and commence an open cast mining operation in the former lakebed and was known as the Huntly East Mine. The lake was highly modified to keep water out through a complex system of bunds, artificial drains and the diversion of streams. Tunnelling continued till 2015 when then mine owner Solid Energy went out of business and the land encompassing 200 hectares was sold abandoned as is to long time Huntly residents and business owners Murray and Jennifer Allen in 2017 who took up the challenge to restore what was left of the Lake and its ecosystem to its former glory as a recreational lake for the community “Along with some surrounding land, they got a giant whole in the ground that wanted to be a lake again,” says Project Manager Charlie Young. “When the lake reaches the top it will be 1.7 kilometres long, 600 metres wide and 60 metres deep at its deepest point. It will be a huge reservoir of fresh water.” The largest portion of the original Lake footprint is on the western side of the expressway, and that is the area now under restoration. “We now have 18 – 20 metres of water at the deepest point. The old mine road that went to the pit is now a boat ramp and works perfectly. As the water rises we have this never ending boat ramp.” The Allen’s have created the Kimihia Lakes Community Charitable Trust (KLCC) as the entity to oversee and manage the $14M - $16M project into the future. Charlie says the first priority is to renew the Lake’s former catchment and wetlands ecosystem to reconnect with the eastern portion of the Lake and ultimately to the Waikato River. “The eastern portion of the lake had continued on in its original state but it never performed ecologically and dries out especially since the expressway came in. Once our Lake fills up the drainage will go under the expressway and back into the eastern side, solving a lot of ecological problems for lack of water flow.” By creating new wetlands and native fish habitat enhanced water quality will result to make the lake suitable for swimming and for recreational water sports. The project also aims to create a community recreational Centre that will support outdoor education and water sports. “KLCC’s concept is to create a versatile, multipurpose lakeside education and community complex. The cornerstone of the complex would be a bespoke classroom and events venue built in scale and character, capable of attracting an identified and targeted year-round clientele. The design would encompass a strong focus on the historical and cultural landscape of Huntly along with planning for future proofing the overall projects resiliency.” Charlie says the project has now received approval for a new special zone under the Waikato District Council (WDC) Proposed District Plan, and KLCC is currently awaiting the Council to officially activate the new plan. “The Waikato District Council is currently resolving outstanding regulatory issues, none of which are directly related to Kimihia Lakes. We are hopeful the Proposed District Plan will be officially notified and activated early in 2024, so that work can progress.” Proud to support the Kimihia Lake Development Email: liam@complexconstruction.co.nz Phone: 027 229 7049 NEW BUILDS • RENOVATIONS • DECKS • FENCES 07 834 6000 lawyers@nwm.co.nz www.nwm.co.nz proud supporters of Kimihia Lakes Development
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