The same urgent funding approach as has been applied to stemming the wallaby incursion into Otago should be extended to the pest algae lake snow, the Otago Regional Council's newest councillor says.
The council had already stepped beyond its annual plan provision to provide more resources aimed at preventing wallabies from spreading into Otago from South Canterbury, Cr Michael Laws said.
There had been a "few sightings of them, less than a handful" in Otago, and "this other threat" was arguably more important than encroaching wallabies.
In late September, the council approved $273,050 to control wallabies after sightings of the pests in Central Otago. Cr Laws told the ORC's technical committee this week maintaining water quality in Lake Wakatipu and other Central Otago lakes was crucial for the district's big international tourist industry.
Given the wallaby precedent, the council should not have to wait until the next annual plan came into effect on July 1 next year, before taking further action on lake water quality.
He emphasised the ORC had a clear legal responsibility to lead efforts aimed at protecting and improving water quality in Central Otago lakes, including Lake Wakatipu.
"It's our responsibility ... this is our job."
And the ORC had previously done far too little to monitor the issue and deal with it, he said.
A report tabled at the committee meeting reflected on recent sampling of lakes Wanaka, Hawea, Wakatipu and Hayes for lake snow.
Committee chairwoman Cr Maggie Lawton said there was growing concern in the community over the state of several Central Otago lakes and the sooner further action was taken "the better", she said.
The committee heard that further action was being taken this year, and scientists at the ORC and elsewhere were coming together in a special lake snow workshop next month.
ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead said the council scientists were working closely with colleagues at the University of Otago, Landcare and Waikato University.
Next month's scientific workshop aimed to reach consensus on key issues, including what steps should be taken to further study lake snow and find the best ways of combating it, he said.