Queenstown Lakes District Council says trees stressed in heat

Young trees in Wanaka's Pembroke Park appear to be dying from lack of water but are just suffering in the heat. Photo: Kerrie Waterworth

Wanaka's parks and reserves appear to be drying out but Queenstown Lakes District council parks and reserve staff say it is because they are irrigating "in very trying circumstances".

QLDC parks and reserves manager Stephen Quin said "the council is committed to a service to irrigate our premier park destinations and sports fields but the circumstances of this summer have been a bit of a perfect storm."

He said the master valve on the Pembroke Park watering system failed over the holiday period and the replacement had to be ordered before it could be installed early this month.

On the lakefront, numerous sprinkler heads had been broken either by people driving over them or kicking them off when they were  operating during the night. All areas under council irrigation had serious issues with slime clogging up lines and sprinklers, Mr Quin said.

"We are talking with contractors and seeking advice about what they can do and if there are measures that can be put in place to overcome lake snow."

He said some trees in Pembroke Park appeared to be struggling with the heat and lack of rain but contractors were carrying out checks and monitoring their health, to determine if extra measures are required.

QLDC Wanaka ward councillor Quentin Smith said the dry condition of many of the town's parks and reserves had been brought to his attention but "it had clearly been a very hot and dry summer and there had been issues around irrigation and water supply to some places, as well as the pop-up vandalism that had occurred."

He said councillors would be holding a workshop with parks and reserves staff in the next few weeks to discuss these issues.

kerrie.waterworth@odt.co.nz