For many Advocate members the single interest in the river is the fishery. The Department of Conservation fishery management keeps year license holder updated through Target Taupo. Some license holders may not have received the December 09 copy through a change in the distribution of the magazine. License holders are advised at the bottom of the license, highlighted in blue

“To receive the magazine Target Taupo email your name, address with postcode and license number to [email protected] or call (07) 386-9243.”

Previously DoC created a database from the license copy but up to 40% of the magazines posted were returned necessitating a change in distribution policy.

There are fish in the river. Most anglers are concentrating on the lower reaches for brown trout but there are fish throughout the river. From personal observation, fish being caught are in excellent condition averaging approximately 1.36kg (3lbs). There are still a few kelts being caught by the few anglers fishing.

The Taupo Times recently reported the capture of a large, old eel at the Taupo end of the lake. Many have asked why there are no eels in the lake and the answer is that eels need to go to sea to breed and then return to the water from which they came. The barrier for this to happen is Huka Falls. It is probable that eels have been released into the lake as a food source, they could survive in the lake but would have been unable to breed.

The 2009 Annual Report should be with members in early March.

The Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, 3.30pm 4th April at the Bridge Lodge. Turangi. Ross Baker has worked tirelessly to improve access to the upper river will address the meeting on plans and progress to date.

The following is a media release from The Taupo District Council:

Last week Taupo District Councillors gave the green light to its officers to begin developing a Structure Plan for parts of the Turangi-Tongariro Ward. The Southern Structure Plan will look at the existing and future land requirements for urban growth around Turangi, Motuoapa, Omori-Kuratau and Whareroa. It will develop a vision for future growth in these areas and how the settlements may look as they evolve, in collaboration with residents and ratepayers, local businesses and major landowners (including Maori Land Trusts, Trustees and hapu).

Cr Don Ormsby, Chairman of the Turangi-Tongariro Community Board said the local community has told the Community Board and Council that they want to move forward with the planning process in this area, especially with the East Taupo Arterial (ETA) due for completion within the next year. I’m delighted that Council has acted on this and has brought forward the development of the Structure Plan to develop a vision for Turangi Town Centre and the lakeshore settlements. Council will identify precise locations and forms of future urban growth consistent with the strategic objectives outlined in its Taupo District 2050 Growth Management Strategy. This will help to provide the communities and development sector with certainty regarding the future pattern of urbanisation within these settlements.

Revitalising the Central Business District, future infrastructure requirements and changes to the District Plan will also be considered as part of this process. The Structure Plan won’t lead to immediate changes, rather the aim is to enhance the character of the places people enjoy visiting or living in by developing a vision to guide future growth, Cr Ormsby added.

Council officers will begin by talking with the relevant communities to discover their priorities, aspirations and visions for the future. It is expected that officers will meet with residents, businesses and stakeholders several times during the next few months as they begin to research and develop the Southern Structure Plan.

For more information about the proposed Southern Structure Plan, visit the Taupo District Council website www.taupo.govt.nz.

For those who had concerns over the impact on the river from the Mangamawhitwhiti development then this will be of interest and needs to be considered.

Eric Wilson
Secretary/Treasurer