We need you to sign this petition to save Lake Camp from draining away.

The hope is that we can preserve the future of this wonderful recreational hub in the Ashburton District. Please sign this petition if you are in support of saving the lake by reinstating the diversion/permit similar to what has been held by Fish and Game for the last 20 years.

Why do we care?

It is no secret that Lake Camp has long been a favourite recreational destination for many families from all over the country and has been for 70 plus years. Fishing, wind surfing, boating, camping, kayaking, rafting, swimming and connecting with the community - are just a handful of the attractions that bring people up to Lake Camp.

The petition is important as it will allow us to show the relevant agencies, ADC, ECAN, DoC, Arowhenua how many people value this space.  Seeing this support will assist in their decision-making process.  

If they cannot see how important saving the lake is to the hundreds of thousands of people that use it, then financial and other restrictions will override the decision, and it will be left to drain.  This will be devastating for the area and NZ in general to loose a healthy deep beautiful lake. 

If something isn't done soon, our community is going to lose this wonderful asset to our region and the species that live there - let alone the many memories that can be made there by those that enjoy using it with their families and friends.

There has been a lack of rain in this catchment area in recent times.  We want to ensure the diversion/permit that has been in place for at least 50 plus years to Lake Camp is reinstated so water levels can get back to healthy levels when the rain falls and the stream is back at healthy levels.

Lake Camp is home to our native species, including native muscles.  These are currently dying in the hundreds due to lack of water.  The lake according to the last official count in 2021 has one of the highest counts in the area.  300per square metre compared to 5 in Emma and 80 in Clearwater.  

Looking around Canterbury you don't need to go far to see where infrastructure has been invested in for lake health and longevity - Lake Ellesmere and Lake Hood are two prime examples that spring to mind. Lake Camp is not only a jewel in the crown for locals wishing to enjoy it, but also a tourist destination.

For many years the Balmacaan stream has been a logical and reliable solution to keeping Lake Camps water level up. In 2020 Fish and Game let the permit for the diversion lapse, A flood also scoured out the riverbed floor in 2021 so the water was no longer able to make its way through the culvert into Lake Camp. The diversion allowed for the lake to stay recreationally safe, and kept the TLI indexes at healthy levels.  Lake Camp is one of the few if not the only one meeting its TLI targets in the area. We would like it to remain this way for the generations to come.

Please sign this petition, and share with everyone and anyone you know who has had the pleasure of spending time at Lake Camp.  Please note that if you do choose the option to donate this money goes to the change.org company that is hosting the petition, not to the organisers.