Selwyn District Council and the Waihora Ellesmere Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to support the Trust’s work to improve the ecological health of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.

The Waihora Ellesmere Trust was established in 2003 and has been working to promote and support best practice management to improve the ecological health of the lake, to raise awareness of the outstanding values associated with the lake, and to maintain its character.

Selwyn Mayor Kelvin Coe, who has been a Trustee since the Trust was established in 2003, says the Council has worked with and supported the Trust over the past decade and he is very pleased to have the Memorandum in place.

“The Trust has been very active in working on a range of great projects such working with property owners around the lake to help improve water quality and biodiversity, carrying out extensive planting work, and organising biennial Living Lakes Symposia,” he says. “We are very supportive of their work and the Memorandum indicates our intention to continue working closely with them in the future.”

Dr Hamish Rennie, the Chair of the Waihora Ellesmere Trust, says that the Trust has a very positive relationship with Selwyn District Council and they value the support the Council offers.

“The lake is a wetland of international significance and is also an outstanding natural feature in the Selwyn District. We are very pleased that Selwyn District Council has signalled their commitment to helping us continue working with the community to protect and enhance the lake.”

The Memorandum has been signed for the next 10 years and sets out how the parties will work together in good faith to support the Trust’s objectives.