TEKAPO POWER SCHEME 01.07.11 // 30.06.12 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT // ENVIRONMENTAL reports ordiscuss matters directly withinterested parties. Genesis Energy ishappyto provide furtherdetails ortechnical replicate thisinformation, rather to provide asummaryofit. this report; itisnottheintention ofthisreport to reproduce or environmental initiatives andagreements thathave fed into There are anumberoftechnical reports, research programmes, Scheme for theoperating period1July 2011to 30June2012. This report summarisesthe key outcomes attheTekapo Power 12

HIGHLIGHTS 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 02 01 INTRODUCTION 02 1.1 Document Overview Transfer of Tekapo Power Scheme On 1 June 2011 02 1.2 Resource Consent Overview Genesis Energy took ownership of the Tekapo Power 02 1.3 How to use this document Scheme including all resource consents and stakeholder 02 1.4 Genesis Energy’s Approach agreements for the scheme. The first year of ownership to Environmental Management for Genesis Energy has been very busy. Genesis Energy 02 1.4.1 Genesis Energy’s Values replaced the control interface from the previous owner’s 03 1.4.2 Environmental Management System control centre into Genesis Energy’s Renewable Energy 03 1.4.3 Resource Consents Management System Control Centre, upgraded the communications and 03 1.4.4 Hydrology installed fibre optic cable to ensure full control and 03 1.5 Feedback operation of the Tekapo Power Scheme back to the North 04 02 TEKAPO POWER SCHEME Island. The scheme is operated by Genesis Energy’s 05 2.1 Operating the Tekapo Power Scheme Renewable Energy Control Centre located at Tokaanu 05 2.2 Climate and Power Generation Power Station, near Turangi at the southern end of Lake Taupo. Design and consenting for the Tekapo Canal 06 03 Remediation Project has also occurred. 07 3.1 Hydrology 07 3.2 Environmental Monitoring Schoolgen Schoolgen is a Genesis Energy initiative 08 04 AND LAKE GEORGE SCOTT bringing solar energy and energy efficiency to life for 09 4.1 Hydrology schools. Three Christchurch schools were 10 4.2 Environmental Monitoring offered the opportunity to become Schoolgen schools. 10 4.3 Recreational Releases In March 2012 Lake Tekapo School was also offered this opportunity with the additional special offer of a battery 12 05 TEKAPO A POWER STATION, TEKAPO CANAL AND pack to store power generated from installed solar panels TEKAPO B POWER STATION (section 8.1). 13 5.1 Hydrology 14 5.2 Water Management Agreement Aoraki Bound On 22 December 2011 Genesis Energy 14 5.2.1 Genesis Energy and signed a 50-50 partnership with Bank of New Zealand Water Management Agreement to support Aoraki Bound, a leadership programme 14 5.2.2 The Pukaki Supply Flow developed by Ngãi Tahu (section 8.2). 14 5.2.3 High Flow Management Coordination Group 15 06 TEKAPO CANAL REMEDIATION PROJECT Whio (Blue Duck) 1 March 2012 marked the beginning of a 16 6.1 Overview relationship between Genesis Energy and the Department 16 6.2 Resource Consent of Conservation to provide funding for the protection 16 6.3 Stakeholder Consultation for Tekapo Canal and enhancement of Whio (Blue Duck) and Whio habitat Remediation Works (section 8.3). 17 07 SCHEME-WIDE OUTCOMES Tekapo Canal Remediation Project Genesis Energy began 18 7.1 Project River Recover - Department of Conservation preparations for remediation works on the Tekapo Canal 18 7.2 Lake Alexandrina Fishery Enhancement Project to fix known defects and to bring the Canal up to modern - Fish and Game building and seismic standards. Stakeholder consultation 19 7.3 Maintenance Activities began and resource consent applications were submitted 19 7.3.1 Oil Interceptor Inspections during the reporting period (section 6). 19 7.3.2 Clearance of Iron From Upper Tekapo River 19 7.3.3 Lake Tekapo Water Level Site 20 7.3.4 Maintenance of Irishman Creek Culvert ABBREVIATIONS 20 7.3.5 Installation of Deer Fence AER Annual Environmental Report 20 7.4 Dam Safety CSR Comprehensive Safety Review 20 7.5 Oil Spill Response DOC Department of Conservation 21 7.6 Safety Signage Project EMS Environmental Management System 21 7.7 Public Complaints GWh Gigawatt hour 21 7.8 Publically Available Hydrology Information HiCoG High Flow Management Coordination Group kW Kilowatt 22 08 COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES masl Metres above sea level – Moturiki Datum 23 8.1 Schoolgen MW Megawatt 23 8.2 Aoraki Bound - Ngãi Tahu NIWA National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research 24 8.3 National Whio Recovery Project PRR Project River Recovery 25 8.4 Curtain Bank PV Photovoltaic RCMS Resource Consent Management System 26 09 KEY OBJECTIVES RECC Renewable Energy Control Centre 27 9.1 Key Objectives TekPS Tekapo Power Scheme WMA Water Management Agreement 28 10 REFERENCES

Cover photo: View of Lake Tekapo and the Intake Structure. 01 INTRODUCTION This AER bridges the gap between site specific reporting and the company’s Annual Report. It provides an overview of all environmental E mihi ana ki a koutou i runga i ngã tini ãhuatanga o te wã. Anei te and stakeholder activities relating to the TekPS. It does not overview Ripoata Taiao e hãngai ana ki ngã mahi hihiko mõ te rohe o Takapõ. company strategy or performance (refer to the Annual Report for this information) or provide extensive detailed information on monitoring Welcome to the 2012 Annual Environmental Report (AER) for the programmes and other initiatives undertaken. Tekapo Power Scheme (TekPS). The purpose of this report is to update the community and stakeholders on the wide range of activities that More information about Genesis Energy, including an electronic occurred at TekPS between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2012. copy of this document, can be found on the website www.genesisenergy.co.nz TekPS was purchased by Genesis Energy on 1 June 2011 as a result of government reforms enabled under the Electricity Act 1.2 RESOURCE CONSENT OVERVIEW 2010. On this date the ownership and management of the Tekapo assets (Tekapo A and B Power Stations, the Tekapo Canal and Resource consents for the ongoing operation of TekPS were related infrastructure) were transferred to Genesis Energy from split or transferred to Genesis Energy on 1 June 2011 as part Meridian Energy. On this date, all rights and obligations under of the Sale and Purchase Agreement between Genesis Energy resource consents and stakeholder agreements in regard to TekPS and Meridian Energy. Obligations under these consents remain were transferred to Genesis Energy in full. unchanged. The only modifications were those required to make Genesis Energy the consent holder for those consents related to A Hydrology Resource Consents Compliance Report for the period the TekPS. 1 June – 30 June 2011 was produced to report on compliance for the duration of Genesis Energy’s ownership and management in The resource consents for TekPS are regulated by Mackenzie the 2010/11 compliance reporting period, year ending 30 June. The District Council and Environment Canterbury. They include a Compliance Report 2010-2011 can be found on the Genesis Energy range of water permits, land use and discharge permits to take website www.genesisenergy.co.nz. and use water from Lake Tekapo throughout TekPS and to allow for minor maintenance works around the scheme. The consents This document is the first AER for the TekPS and reports on the are operative until 2025. period 1 July 2011 – 30 June 2012 (the ‘reporting period’). 1.3 HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT This report will: This report documents environmental outcomes based on three provide an overview of resource consent compliance at TekPS; key areas of the scheme: provide an update on monitoring and research programmes; report back on key projects; Lake Tekapo; report on community and environmental initiatives; and Tekapo River and Lake George Scott; and define environmental objectives for the next 12 months. Tekapo A Power Station, Tekapo Canal and Tekapo B Power Station. Genesis Energy aims to be accessible to the public, to address issues as they arise and to develop closer working relationships This report also provides non-geographical information for: within the communities in which it operates. Scheme-wide Outcomes; 1.1 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW Community and Environmental Initiatives.

Genesis Energy produces a suite of reports and other Bold text like this will help you to find your way around the report. documentation on its activities each year (Figure 1). These include detailed technical reports, audit reports and various reporting Consent # (condition) identifies the parts of the report that relate requirements to stakeholders. to specific resource consent conditions.

The Company’s Annual Report provides an overview of Genesis Orange text like this throughout the report provides useful Energy’s performance as a company and sets objectives for the background information on specific issues. coming year. 1.4 GENESIS ENERGY’S APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

1.4.1 GENESIS ENERGY’S VALUES

Genesis Energy’s four core values define the way things are done at Genesis Energy. They are the actions and behaviours which help contribute to the success of the company (Figure 2). // 12

FIGURE 1 // Report hierarchy at Genesis Energy. TEKAPO

FIGURE 2 // Genesis Energy Values. 04 Genesis Energy’s intent is to become the leading energy company The purpose of the RCMS is to ensure that Genesis Energy in New Zealand. We will achieve this by: manages its statutory and stakeholder obligations effectively and that essential requirements are not overlooked. Providing differentiated service to our customers; Optimising the performance of our value chain; 1.4.4 HYDROLOGY Being innovative and designing solutions with our people, our customers and our stakeholders/partners; Genesis Energy has an extensive hydrology monitoring network ‘Living’ our values; and around TekPS. A variety of water level, flow and meteorological Operating in a way that is safe and healthy for our people, our recording sites collect data in real-time and near real-time. This customers, our communities and the environment. information is sent to Genesis Energy’s Renewable Energy Control Centre (RECC), located near Turangi, with a range of plant and 1.4.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM market information.

Genesis Energy seeks to continuously improve environmental TekPS hydrology data is collected on behalf of Genesis Energy by management in relation to the use of natural and physical resources the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) across all its sites. Genesis Energy has developed an Environmental and other third parties. Data is collected, managed and stored Management System (EMS) which suits the specific nature of its within Genesis Energy. Genesis Energy also has an in-house business, and its legislative and stakeholder requirements. Hydrology team who collect data and manage Genesis Energy’s Hydrometric network. This team manages the Hydrometric Genesis Energy’s EMS framework is based on international Services Contract that Genesis Energy holds with NIWA for best practice and illustrates the role that Genesis Energy’s hydrology monitoring around TekPS. existing business systems, for example, the Resource Consent Management System (see Section 1.4.3) play in managing the Data collected by NIWA must be internally reviewed before being company’s environmental issues. provided to Genesis Energy on a quarterly basis. This data is then checked by an external auditor before being appended to the Genesis Energy seeks to continuously improve the way it manages Genesis Energy Archive database. its environmental impacts and recognises the necessity of regular audits and reviews to achieve this. 1.5 FEEDBACK

During the reporting period, an internal resource consent and Genesis Energy has worked to make this report informative and third party agreement audit was carried out across Tekapo, easy to understand. Your feedback is welcome on both content and Waikaremoana, Tongariro and Huntly generation sites. The layout. Contact details are as follows: purpose of the audit was to identify any improvements that could be made to systems or processes, to best achieve 100% Genesis Energy compliance. The audit identified some minor improvements, PO Box 9056 however overall, systems and processes are robust. An internal CHRISTCHURCH 8149 audit will be conducted on an annual basis hereafter, to ensure Attn: Environmental Manager any advances in resource consent and third party agreement management can be identified. 1.4.3 RESOURCE CONSENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

To help manage resource consents and third party agreements across all generation sites, Genesis Energy has developed a Resource Consents Management System (RCMS) (Figure 3). This system holds all Genesis Energy’s information relating to resource consents, third party agreements, and permitted activities, and defines, prompts and monitors actions required by their conditions, and reports on the status of these. // 12

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL

FIGURE 3 // Screenshot of RCMS upgrade. 05 06 TEKAPO // 12 02 POWER SCHEME TEKAPO 02 TEKAPO POWER SCHEME For the 2011/12 reporting period rainfall was significantly below average, especially in the Godley catchment where both the The Tekapo Power Scheme is located at the head of the Waitaki Eade Hut (1994-2012) and Panorama Ridge (1996-2012) gauges Valley in the and uses water from the glacial- recorded only 66% and 67% of their long term mean annual fed Lake Tekapo to generate electricity through two power rainfall respectively. The Rose Ridge monitoring site (2005-2012) stations. The scheme is situated close to the majestic Aoraki Mt has a shorter record; however, it also showed slightly less than Cook and near the Lake Tekapo township. the mean annual rainfall (Table 1). Lake Tekapo is the source of water for the entire Tekapo Power Scheme. The lake is dammed by the Lake Tekapo Control TABLE 1 // Rainfall during the reporting period. Structure (Gate 16) at the head of the Tekapo River which also forms the bridge over the river at State Highway 8. Monitoring Site Rainfall Total (mm) Long Term Average (mm) Construction of Tekapo A Power Station began in 1938 but was halted between 1942 and 1944 as labour and materials were Eade Hut 3216 4885 diverted to World War II. The station was finally commissioned Panorama Ridge 3593 5385 in 1951. Tekapo A Power Station generates an average of 160 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year from water diverted Rose Ridge 3771 4053 from Lake Tekapo via a 1.4 km intake tunnel. The most significant period of low rainfall was experienced in the In 1970 a 25.5 km canal was constructed to take outflows from lead into summer and through to the end of January, which is Tekapo A to Tekapo B. The Tekapo Canal has a maximum capacity when inflows are usually at their highest. As recorded in January, of 130 cubic metres per second (m³/s). rainfall for the month was only 41% of the long term average for Eade Hut and 46% for Panaroma Ridge. This can be attributed Water in Lake Tekapo can bypass Tekapo A Power Station via to the weakening La Nina weather patterns which tend to cause water released through the Lake Tekapo Control Structure (Gate rainfall to decrease in western parts of the when 16). When the control gates are open, water flows down the upper present during the summer months. Tekapo River to Lake George Scott. Water can then be released into the Tekapo Canal via a gate in the control structure (Gate 17) The significantly below average rainfall was also represented in that impounds Lake George Scott, or continue to the Tekapo River. the mean monthly inflow statistics for 2011/12 which were the lowest measured since records began in 1966. Figure 4 shows Commissioned in 1977, Tekapo B Power Station is the only power how despite daily inflows being about average during October/ station in New Zealand completely surrounded by water. Sitting in November they then dropped away for the rest of the year. From , essentially as an island, the station is connected to January through to July 2012, monthly inflows ranged from 84% to land via a 74 m long bridge and boasts outstanding views of Aoraki as little as 49% of the long term monthly means. Mt Cook.

Constructed on huge concrete raft foundations, Tekapo B is 46 m high. However, nearly two thirds of the power station is below the waterline. The station is powered by water from the Tekapo Canal with outflows entering Lake Pukaki. This same water then passes through a further six power stations within the Waitaki Catchment. 2.1 OPERATING THE TEKAPO POWER SCHEME

Genesis Energy’s Renewable Energy Control Centre (RECC) is located at Tokaanu Power Station (near Turangi at the southern end of Lake Taupo). The RECC operates three hydro power schemes; Waikaremoana, Tongariro and Tekapo Power Schemes. The 24/7 control centre operates TekPS as efficiently as possible, to optimise electricity generation requirements, while maintaining compliance with resource consent conditions and operating within the electricity market rules. A complex operational control system provides details on all aspects of the scheme, enabling remote control and alerting operators when various parameters trend outside their standard operating limits (including resource consent limits). FIGURE 4 // Mean daily inflows for Lake Tekapo. // 12 There are Maintenance and Engineering staff, including roaming operators, on site at Tekapo A Power Station. The Maintenance Team is available 24/7 to fix faults or defects as they arise and this team can also operate the power scheme locally if required in Tekapo A Power Station generated 129 GWh while Tekapo B Power rare circumstances. Station generated 757 GWh giving a total for TekPS of 886 GWh for An Environmental Team is based in Christchurch and is the reporting period. Generation for TekPS as a whole during this responsible for managing the resource consents and community period was slightly below average. and stakeholder relationships for TekPS. Based on an average figure of electricity consumption per 2.2 CLIMATE AND POWER GENERATION household of 7,760 kWh/yr (Ministry of Economic Development, 2012: p121), the 886 GWh produced in the reporting period was Rainfall across the is influenced by the rainfall enough electricity to power the annual demand of approximately shadow created by the Southern Alps. There is a steep gradient 114,175 households. of rainfall which decreases rapidly from the northwest to the southeast of the Mackenzie Basin. The mean annual rainfall at Panorama Ridge at the top of the Godley catchment (at an altitude

of 1509 masl) is 5385 mm compared with Lake Tekapo which is REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 470 mm (at an altitude of 710 masl). This clearly illustrates the orographic rainfall effect induced by the Southern Alps. 07 08 TEKAPO // 12 03 TEKAPO LAKE 03 LAKE TEKAPO

Lake Tekapo is approximately 25 km long and covers an area of around 95 km². The turquoise colour of the lake is caused by suspended fine silts created by glaciation. These fine silts are transported to Lake Tekapo via the rivers that feed the lake including the , Macauley River and Cass River.

The last glacial maximum approximately 17,000 years ago resulted in glaciers flowing from the Southern Alps, through the Godley Valley, out to the sloping plains of the Mackenzie country. The movement of these glaciers caused large volumes of rock to be deposited creating moraines that dammed the valley. Lake Tekapo was formed behind the terminal moraine dam as the glaciers retreated.

Lake Tekapo (Takapõ) was an important mahinga kai (food gathering area), particularly for the local Ngãi Tahu hapu (sub- tribe) of South Canterbury. Whãnau travelled to Tekapo (Takapõ) to gather foods such as tuna (eel), weka and a variety of waterfowl.

Prior to the development of the Tekapo Power Scheme, the FIGURE 5 // Lake Tekapo lake level compliance during the outflow of Lake Tekapo meandered across the Mackenzie Plains reporting period. in a wide stream before being joined by the outflow of Lake Pukaki and Lake Ohau. 3.1 HYDROLOGY

Lake Tekapo is the sole source of water for TekPS. The lake is TABLE 2 // Lake Tekapo lake level compliance during the dammed by the Lake Tekapo Control Structure (Gate 16) at the reporting period. head of the Tekapo River. The control structure also forms the crossing point for State Highway 8 over the Tekapo River. Parameter Value (masl) Compliance (%) Consent Number (condition) CRC905301.4 The management of the level of Lake Tekapo is authorized via Minimum Lake 701.8 100 CRC905301.4 (2) resource consents CRC905301.4 and CRC905302.3 which enable Level Genesis Energy to operate the lake between a level of 701.8 masl Maximum Lake 709.7 - 710.9 100 CRC905301.4 (2) and 710.9 masl. The minimum operating level of Lake Tekapo Level varies throughout the year: 3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 1 April and 30 September – Minimum Level of 701.8 masl; and 1 October and 31 March – Minimum Level of 704.1masl. No environmental monitoring is required under the suite of TekPS resource consents. However, Genesis Energy proposes However, in accordance with resource consent CRC905302.3, the to undertake a range of environmental monitoring studies. level of Lake Tekapo may be further reduced between 1 October The purpose of a monitoring programme is to enable Genesis and 31 March if the Electricity Commission determines that Energy to update our understanding of the environment in which reserve generation capacity is required or the National South TekPS operates; to understand how TekPS interacts with the Island minzones have been breached. Genesis Energy also has environment; and to determine the scope and timing of future, responsibilities under a stakeholder agreement with Mackenzie more definitive environmental studies and/or any recommended District Council, to liaise with the Lake Tekapo Community Board on-going environmental monitoring programmes. when the level of Lake Tekapo falls below 704.5 masl. A literature review was conducted during the reporting period to The maximum operating levels for Lake Tekapo are as follows: assess what previous monitoring and surveys had been carried out September to February – Maximum Level of 709.7 masl; on the environment of TekPS and gaps in knowledge. From this March – Maximum Level of 710.0 masl; review Genesis Energy was able to determine appropriate studies April and August – Maximum Level of 710.3 masl; to progress our understanding of the environment. Genesis Energy May – Maximum Level of 710.6 masl; and identified assessing shoreline erosion around Lake Tekapo as an June and July – Maximum Level of 710.9 masl. area where an environmental scoping study should be undertaken.

A second scoping study includes the assessment of water quality in // 12

The conditions attached to resource consent CRC905301.4 also relation to the effects of surrounding land use, discharge from the require Genesis Energy to control and operate the level of Lake Tekapo Canal into Lake Pukaki and discharge from Tekapo River Tekapo in accordance with the provisions contained in “Tekapo into . There are also two studies proposed specifically Power Scheme, Appendix A, Extracts of Waitaki Operating Rules (9 for the Tekapo River which are discussed in section 4.2. November 1990), as modified by an order pursuant to Section 122 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010”. These studies will be implemented in the 2012/13 reporting period.

Figure 5 shows the level of Lake Tekapo during the reporting period with maximum and minimum control levels overplotted. Lake Tekapo was well within the maximum and minimum operating levels for the duration of the reporting period and resulted in 100% compliance with resource consent CRC905301.4 (2) (Table 2). ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 09 010 TEKAPO // 12 04 GEORGE SCOTT AND LAKE TEKAPO RIVER 04 TEKAPO RIVER AND LAKE GEORGE SCOTT TABLE 3 // Flow compliance at the Lake Tekapo Control The Tekapo River is the natural outlet of Lake Tekapo, although it Structure during the reporting period. is dammed and controlled for hydro-electricity at the Lake Tekapo Control Structure (Gate 16). Gate 16 consists of five steel radial Parameter Value (m³/s) Compliance (%) Consent Number gates that were constructed across the outlet of the lake in 1954, (condition) around three years after Tekapo A power station commenced operation. The gates have a total discharge capacity of 850 m³/s. Maximum Flow 850 100 CRC905304.5 (3) The dam structure carries the road for State Highway 8.

The Tekapo River is dammed approximately 2 km downstream CRC905306.3 of Gate 16 by a concrete weir, creating Lake George Scott. Water Genesis Energy operates Lake George Scott to a level of 684.05 spilled from Lake Tekapo and impounded in Lake George Scott can masl which is also the level of the spillcrest of the weir. Figure 7 be discharged into the Tekapo Canal via Gate 17. Water from Lake shows the lake level of Lake George Scott during the reporting Tekapo can also flow over Lake George Scott weir and continue period. Spill occurred over the Lake George Scott weir on one down the Tekapo River to Lake Benmore. occasion (Table 4). Spill from Lake George Scott weir is enabled The Tekapo River is approximately 45 km long and is augmented under resource consent CRC905309.4. by spring fed flows and tributaries such as Fork Stream, and the Grays and Maryburn Rivers. The Tekapo River converges with the before discharging into the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore. 4.1 HYDROLOGY

CRC905304.3 Resource consent CRC905304.3 enables Genesis Energy to discharge up to 850 m³/s of water from Lake Tekapo into the Tekapo River via the Lake Tekapo Control Structure. Genesis Energy typically only allows water to spill into the Tekapo River downstream of Gate 16 in the following circumstances:

When the maximum operating level has been reached and the capacity of the Tekapo A Power Station is not sufficient to reduce the level of Lake Tekapo; If there is an outage event at the Tekapo A Power Station and Genesis Energy still wants to generate electricity at the Tekapo B Power Station; For recreational release purposes; or To top-up Lake George Scott with the purpose of augmenting FIGURE 7 // Lake George Scott lake level during the flow in the Tekapo Canal to achieve maximum generation reporting period. from the Tekapo B Power Station.

Figure 6 presents flow data for the Tekapo River between the Lake Tekapo Control Structure and Lake George Scott weir. Flow from Lake Tekapo Control Structure was 100% compliant with the maximum TABLE 4 // Lake George Scott maximum lake level compliance during the reporting period. consented flow during the reporting period as shown in Table 3.

Parameter Value (masl) Compliance (%) Consent Number (condition)

Maximum Lake 684.05 100 CRC905306.3 (2) Level

CRC905309.4 The spilling of water into the Tekapo River downstream of Lake George Scott is controlled by resource consent CRC905309.4. This

consent enables Genesis Energy to discharge up to 600 m³/s of // 12 water into the Tekapo River over the Lake George Scott weir. The spilling of water under this consent is also managed in accordance with the provisions contained in “Tekapo Power Scheme, Appendix A, Extracts of Waitaki Operating Rules (9 November 1990), as modified by an order pursuant to Section 122 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010”. The conditions for spill must be followed if the flow is defined as ‘established’.

An ‘established flow’ is defined in the Tekapo Hydraulic Manual (Chapter 3, last reviewed October 2011) as: FIGURE 6 // Flow via the Lake Tekapo Control Structure during the reporting period. Any flow of more than 24 hours duration is an established flow; A flow of 30 m³/s or more and at least 6 hours duration is an established flow; A flow of less than 30 m³/s and 6-24 hours duration is not an

established flow; REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL Any flow of less than 6 hours duration is not an established flow; Any deliberately initiated flows. 011 Figure 8 shows the spill flow at Lake George Scott during the reporting period. Spill occurred on 16 December 2011 due to an operational control issue at Gate 17 and lasted for 15 minutes with a maximum flow of 1 m³/s. As mentioned in the section previously, the spill did not meet the conditions for an established flow and so was not managed under the spill flow rules in Appendix A. Lake George Scott weir flow was compliant during the reporting period (Table 5).

FIGURE 9 // Kayakers paddling on the canoe course upstream of Lake George Scott.

During the reporting period, recreational releases were requested for the canoe course and upper Tekapo River by a range of school, university and club groups. During the season, the procedures for gate and canoe course operations were amended to specifically FIGURE 8 // Lake George Scott weir flow during the agree how the start and end times of releases would be managed, reporting period. and to ensure the health and safety of all parties involved.

Table 6 outlines the compliance of recreational releases during the reporting period. Minor non-compliance is reported for event duration and flow. Flow non-compliance was caused by automatic TABLE 5 // Lake George Scott weir flow compliance during the gate control systems between Gate 16 and Gate 17 (recreational reporting period. release outflow) resulting in 2 m³/s less water flowing through Gate 16 during the first few recreational releases. Generation Parameter Value (m³/s) Compliance (%) Consent Number controllers have since allowed for this discrepancy when (condition) managing recreational releases.

Maximum Flow 600 100 CRC905309.4 (3) Whitewater NZ comment: “Whitewater NZ has enjoyed the collaborative approach to recreational releases taken by Genesis Energy. The provision of 10 days of recreational release for the Signs warning of the fluctuations in the level of the Tekapo Tekapo Slalom Course and the 5 half days of river flows has allowed River are erected at public access points along the Tekapo River kayakers to use the river amenity on a planned basis. Slalom between the Lake Tekapo Control Structure and Lake Benmore competitions and the Tekapo Throwdown freestyle event attract and are checked yearly, prior to the summer season, to ensure kayakers from all over the country with as many as 60 people per they are still in place and in good condition. day enjoying these. The river releases have been used primarily by school children from Mackenzie College and so these are valuable 4.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING for growing the sport at a grass roots level.

There are two studies specific to the Tekapo River that will be The instances of minor non-compliance have caused no real implemented in the reporting period beginning July 2012. The first disruption to kayakers and the professional way these have been is an assessment of the aquatic ecology in the Tekapo River and handled by Genesis Energy has been appreciated. Whitewater NZ its major tributaries. The second is a study of the Tekapo River anticipates the popularity of slalom kayaking will grow following hydraulics, both hydrology and morphology (shape) of the river. the coverage of the sport at the London Olympics, it is therefore This would include an assessment of the recent hydrological data; anticipated that the usage of the Slalom Course will continue to additional gauging of flows in various sections of the Tekapo River improve in coming years.” to help understand the losses and gains in the river; and establish erosion and bed profiles in the Tekapo River to understand the Thanks to Robin Rutter-Baumann of Whitewater NZ / Tekapo condition and patterns of erosion in the river. Whitewater Trust for providing comment. 4.3 RECREATIONAL RELEASES

Kayaking on the Tekapo River is a popular recreational activity. The Tekapo Whitewater Upgrade Trust constructed a recreational canoe course in 1998 located near Lake George Scott that utilises water released from Lake Tekapo and is taken into the course // 12 by diversion from the Tekapo River (Figure 9). Kayakers also use water released from the Lake Tekapo Control Structure (Gate 16) to kayak on the upper Tekapo River between Gate 16 and Lake George Scott. While resource consent CRC905301.3 (Condition 13 a-d) stipulates criteria for recreational releases, the stakeholder

TEKAPO agreement between Genesis Energy, Whitewater NZ and the Tekapo Whitewater Trust (and with the agreement of Environment Canterbury) is the guiding document under which recreational

12 releases are managed. TABLE 6 // Recreational releases in the canoe course and upper Tekapo River during the reporting period.

Date Required Duration Gate 16 Required Actual Average Compliance Duration was open at or Flow (m³/s) Flow (m³/s) of Release above the required (hours) flow (hours) 15-Oct-11 6 4.5 18 16 Minor non compliance (Generation controller anticipated flow recession to canoe course and closed Gate 16 early. The automatic gate control system has a 2 m³/s discrepancy at Gate 16). 16-Oct-11 6 5.75 18 16 Minor non compliance (Generation controller anticipated flow recession to canoe course and closed Gate 16 early. Canoe course procedures were updated and communication with Generation Controller that flow recession is not to be anticipated. Also the automatic gate control system has a 2 m³/s discrepancy at Gate 16. Operational procedures have been amended to account for this in future). 1-Nov-11 3 2.25 18 23 Full compliance (Silt had built up in front of canoe course gates and the gates could not be opened. The kayakers requested a larger flow of 25 m³/s to flush the front of the gates. The kayakers then used the river instead of the canoe course for a shorter duration). 5-Nov-11 8 8 18 17.3 Minor non compliance 6-Nov-11 6 6 18 18 Full compliance 15-Dec-11 6 7 18 20 Full compliance 16-Dec-11 6 6 18 18 Full compliance 17-Dec-11 6 6 18 18 Full compliance 18-Dec-11 6 5.15 18 19 Full compliance (The kayakers reported they were finished with the canoe course early so the release was stopped). 21-Feb-12 3 5.75 30 30 Full compliance 25-Feb-12 6 6 18 19.5 Full compliance 26-Feb-12 6 5.83 18 19 Minor non compliance (Gate 16 was closed early). 28-Feb-12 3 3 30 31 Full compliance 6-Mar-12 2 2.16 30 31 Full compliance 13-Mar-12 3 3.25 18 18 Full compliance 22-Mar-12 3 2.83 30 33 Minor non compliance (Gate 16 had an emergency trip causing the gate to close immediately. This occurred 10 minutes prior to the scheduled end time of release). 24-Mar-12 6 6 18 18 Full compliance 25-Mar-12 6 6 18 18 Full compliance // 12

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 13 14 TEKAPO // 12 05 POWER STATION AND TEKAPOB TEKAPO CANAL POWER STATION TEKAPO A 05 TEKAPO A POWER STATION, TEKAPO CANAL CRC905307.2 and CRC905308.2 AND TEKAPO B POWER STATION Resource Consent CRC905307.2 enables Genesis Energy to divert water up to a maximum rate of 130 m³/s from the Tekapo Situated on the southern foreshore of Lake Tekapo, the intake River into the Tekapo Canal through Gate 17. Resource Consent structure for Tekapo A Power Station draws water for the power CRC905308.2 also enables a take of water up to 130 m³/s from station and passes the water through a 6 m diameter, 1.4 km the Tekapo River into the Tekapo Canal. Flow at Gate 17 (located long tunnel. The tunnel terminates in a surge chamber which is between Lake George Scott and the Tekapo Canal) shows the rate designed to accommodate flow differences when the power station of flow for both consents. operation requires flows to change faster than the flow in the tunnel can accommodate. Tekapo A Power Station has a single Figure 11 shows the flow at Gate 17 that takes water from the Tekapo 25.2 megawatt (MW) generator driven by a single Kaplan turbine. River into the Tekapo Canal via Lake George Scott and Gate 17. Flow through Gate 17 was below the maximum flow for the reporting Outflows from Tekapo A power station enter the Tekapo Canal period and was 100% compliant for both consents (Table 8). which has a maximum capacity of 130 m³/s and is 25.5 km long. The Tekapo Canal passes over a number of natural waterways which are accommodated by culverts under the canal, including Forks Stream, Irishman Creek and Maryburn Stream.

The water flows into a head pond before entering the penstocks and Tekapo B Power Station. Two Francis Turbines drive two 80 MW generators at Tekapo B Power Station. The Tekapo Canal does not have a spillway and there is very limited ability to bypass Tekapo B Power Station. 5.1 HYDROLOGY

CRC905302.3 Resource consent CRC905302.3 enables Genesis Energy to take and divert up to 130 m³/s of water from Lake Tekapo via the Lake Tekapo Intake Structure for hydro-electricity power generation. This intake structure is located in the bed of Lake Tekapo to the west of Lake Tekapo township. The intake structure enables the conveyance of water to the Tekapo A Power Station via a 1.4 km long tunnel. FIGURE 11 // Flow from Tekapo River into Tekapo Canal The flow from Lake Tekapo via the Lake Tekapo Intake Structure during the reporting period. into Tekapo A Power Station is shown in Figure 10. Tekapo A Power Station flow was below the maximum consented flow of 130 m³/s during the reporting period. Table 7 shows the flow was 100% compliant during reporting period. TABLE 8 // Flow compliance from Tekapo River into Tekapo Canal during the reporting period.

Parameter Value (m³/s) Compliance (%) Consent Number (condition)

Maximum Flow 130 100 CRC905307.2 (3) CRC905308.2 (3)

CRC905320.2 Resource Consent CRC905320.2 allows Genesis Energy to discharge water up to a maximum rate of 130 m³/s into Lake Pukaki via Tekapo B Power Station.

Flow into Lake Pukaki via Tekapo B Power Station was below the maximum consented flow for the duration of the reporting period (Figure 12) and was 100% compliant (Table 9). // 12

FIGURE 10 // Tekapo A Power Station flow via Lake Tekapo Intake Structure during the reporting period.

TABLE 7 // Tekapo A Power Station flow compliance during the reporting period.

Parameter Value (m³/s) Compliance (%) Consent Number (condition)

Maximum Flow 130 100 CRC905302.3 (3) ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL

FIGURE 12 // Flow into Lake Pukaki via Tekapo B Power Station during the reporting period. 15 TABLE 9 // Flow into Lake Pukaki via Tekapo B Power Station TABLE 10 // Total monthly Pukaki Supply flow under the Water compliance during the reporting period. Management Agreement.

Parameter Value (m³/s) Compliance (%) Consent Number Month Required Volume (plus Supplied Compliance (condition) additional Fish & Game Volume (%) flow required) (Mm³) (Mm³) Maximum Flow 130 100 CRC905320.2 (3) July 2011 88.39 (17.70) 237.22 100

August 2011 86.78 (17.70) 230.55 100 5.2 WATER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT September 2011 88.00 (17.70) 133.50 100 5.2.1 GENESIS ENERGY AND MERIDIAN ENERGY WATER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT October 2011 89.06 126.33 100

Genesis Energy and Meridian Energy hold resource consents to November 2011 92.28 215.88 100 take, transfer, discharge and use water via interconnected lakes, rivers and canals throughout the Catchment for the December 2011 97.49 265.03 100 purpose of electricity generation. January 2012 91.60 130.47 100 A Water Management Agreement (WMA) between Genesis Energy and Meridian Energy was reached as part of the sale and purchase February 2012 79.83 187.48 100 of TekPS to define the inter-relationships that exist between the two companies in the Waitaki Catchment. The overriding purpose of the March 2012 88.66 168.50 100 WMA is to provide for integrated catchment management to ensure April 2012 88.39 148.69 100 resource consent and stakeholder agreement compliance is not compromised and to mitigate any potential adverse environmental May 2012 95.75 197.41 100 effects of there being two operators in the Waitaki Catchment. June 2012 89.04 (0) 136.90 100 The WMA contains detailed provisions relating to:

The formation of a joint Water Management Committee; 5.2.3 HIGH FLOW MANAGEMENT COORDINATION GROUP Joint processes and specific obligations for managing high flow events; The WMA sets out how high flow events will be managed in an Genesis Energy’s obligations to deliver certain minimum integrated manner by Genesis Energy and Meridian Energy. A High monthly volumes of water into Lake Pukaki Flow Management Coordination Group (HiCoG) was established to (Pukaki Supply Flow); communicate between the parties to enable data and information Process to manage derogation applications and transfers; for communicating and coordinating a pre-emptive high water offtakes; flow response; to manage effectively, as far as practicable, the Plant outage notifications; and adverse effects of high flow events on people, the environment, plant Dam safety and emergency responses. and structures; and to review and audit actions after high flow events.

5.2.2 THE PUKAKI SUPPLY FLOW Work between the parties in preparation for effective flood management has included meetings with Environment Canterbury Under the WMA between Genesis Energy and Meridian Energy, flood managers to discuss communication protocols and data Genesis Energy is required to supply Lake Pukaki with a pre- sharing. Genesis Energy and Meridian Energy have also met to defined minimum volume of water each month. During the clarify procedures, carry out data transfer simulations and refine months June to September, Genesis Energy is required to provide communication protocols. Data transfers have occurred successfully. an additional flow for the purpose of contributing to the Fish and Game Minimum Flow in the Waitaki River below Waitaki Dam. If the average flow in May in the Waitaki River at Kurow is greater than 350 m³/s, then Genesis Energy will contribute additional water to the Fish and Game minimum flow during June to September in the same year. During 2011 the additional flow to contribute to the Fish and Game minimum flow was 17.70 million cubic metres (Mm³) of water per month. During 2012 there was no additional flow required from Genesis Energy as the average May flow was lower than 350 m³/s.

Table 10 outlines the required volume of water to be supplied to Lake Pukaki and the volume Genesis Energy supplied each month. Genesis Energy was compliant under the Water Management Agreement for each month during the reporting period. // 12

TEKAPO 16 6 TEKAPO CANAL REMEDIATION PROJECT 0 // 12

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 17 06 TEKAPO CANAL REMEDIATION PROJECT The application includes water permits, discharge permits and land use consents. These consents cover the canal related works, 6.1 OVERVIEW construction management site, borrow and spoil disposal areas. Genesis Energy is planning to commence remediation works 6.3 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION FOR TEKAPO to the Tekapo Canal this year with substantive works occurring CANAL REMEDIATION WORKS during the summer period, subject to gaining necessary Resource Consent approval. Genesis Energy staff began meeting key stakeholders in the Mackenzie Basin and neighbours to the Tekapo Canal in Issues with the canal’s liner and leakages are well known to August 2011 to discuss the proposed works. These preliminary Tekapo stakeholders and canal neighbours and were being meetings included engagements with the owners of The Wolds assessed by the canal’s previous owner, before the sale of the Station, Irishman Creek Station, Balmoral Station, Lake Tekapo Tekapo assets to Genesis Energy. Community Board, Te Runanga o Ngãi Tahu, South Canterbury Fish and Game Council, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society The project will involve lining sections of the canal with a of New Zealand, Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Limited, Department specialised PVC material, repairs to embankments, improvements of Conservation, Meridian Energy, Environment Canterbury and to three farm bridges over the canal, upgrades around the State Mackenzie District Council. Highway 8 bridge over the canal, and improvements to the Maryburn Fill section of the canal. In addition to these works a Following the completion of technical assessments and further construction management site will be established adjacent to stakeholder engagement, Genesis Energy hosted a stakeholder the Tekapo Canal. The purpose of this site is to house offices and presentation evening at Lake Tekapo township in March 2012. workshops, fuel storage, preparation of PVC and concrete as well Invitations were sent to over 45 stakeholders and neighbours. A other facilities such as a water treatment facility, compressor significant number of locals attended as well as representatives shed and a generator pump shed. from major stakeholder groups and tangata whenua. The evening consisted of presentations by Genesis Energy staff Work will take place over a period of up to three years which will on the management of the Tekapo Canal and the proposed include outages of the canal during the summer seasons, where remediation works as well as a general summary of the technical only water to provide for irrigation requirements and natural assessments. This was followed by the attendees having an inflows will be entering the canal. The first outage for the canal opportunity to ask questions of the Genesis Energy staff and is planned to begin on 14 January 2013 and end on 21 April technical consultants present. 2013. Before the proposed outage commences, Lake Tekapo will be drawn down gradually and will likely be near its minimum Following the stakeholder presentation evening, Genesis Energy operating level when the canal outage commences to reduce the staff have continued to engage individually with key stakeholders potential of spill from the lake. and neighbours to discuss the proposed remediation works. During the works, Genesis Energy will establish a consultation The Tekapo Canal will be withdrawn from service during the works group to assist with the management of the remediation works to allow for the de-watering of the sections requiring repair. This to the Tekapo Canal to ensure stakeholder input is incorporated will result in flow ceasing along the canal for up to 14 weeks during into environmental management plans, to ensure stakeholders each work season, or outage. During the outage of the canal Lake are kept up to date with project implementation, to discuss the Tekapo will gradually fill from natural inflows. If the lake reaches results of monitoring programmes, and to provide a mechanism its maximum operating level, excess water will be spilled into the for stakeholders to express any matters of concern and for those Tekapo River. Spill is anticipated to occur after about 6 – 8 weeks concerns to be addressed, as appropriate. based on an average hydrological year (i.e. average rainfall and snowmelt inflows). Genesis Energy will endeavour to keep the local community informed prior to any spill commencing.

The canal repairs will involve many movements of heavy vehicles to and from the work sites each day. In addition, machinery will be working on or near the Tekapo Canal Road. For health and safety reasons, public access to the Tekapo Canal Road and the Tekapo Canal will be closed during the remedial works, between Tekapo Powerhouse Road and State Highway 8 (near Tekapo A Power Station) for the length of the canal to the No. 3 farm bridge (directly upstream of Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Limited’s salmon farm). Public access along the Tekapo Canal Road will be maintained from Tekapo B Power Station to the No. 3 farm bridge.

Alternative public access to the upper Tekapo River will be provided from Lake Tekapo township and further information on this will be provided on the Genesis Energy website during September 2012. 6.2 RESOURCE CONSENTS

Consent applications were lodged for the Tekapo Canal remediation works and construction management site at Environment Canterbury and Mackenzie District Council during May 2012. A total of 20 consent applications were lodged (19 from Environment Canterbury and one from Mackenzie District Council). // 12 The consents will enable Genesis Energy to undertake remediation works along the Tekapo Canal to ensure that the canal meets relevant regulatory requirements for dam safety and provides long-term operational capability and security for the Tekapo Power Scheme. The proposed remediation works are expected to TEKAPO enable the Tekapo Canal to operate for at least another 50 years before further significant refurbishment. 18 7 SCHEME-WIDE OUTCOMES 0 // 12

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 19 07 SCHEME-WIDE OUTCOMES

7.1 PROJECT RIVER RECOVERY – DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

Project River Recovery (PRR) is a Department of Conservation programme established in 1990 that aims to protect or restore rivers and wetland ecosystems in the upper Waitaki Basin. PRR is funded by Meridian Energy and Genesis Energy under a compensatory agreement that recognises the adverse effects of hydroelectric power development on braided rivers and wetlands.

PRR operates under a Strategic Plan that is updated every seven years with the current Plan expiring at the end of 2012. The Department of Conservation, Meridian Energy and Genesis Energy have commissioned Landcare Research Ltd to undertake a review of the past twenty years work by PRR to help determine future objectives and identify any opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the project during the next seven year term.

Key objectives of PRR during the 2006-2012 Strategic Plan include the removal of weeds, exploring wetland protection, predator FIGURE 13 // Two ferrets caught in a double set kill trap. control, increasing public awareness of braided rivers and associated wetlands, and building knowledge and understanding of ecosystems.

This year PRR’s core focus continues to be maintaining habitat quality for a range of braided river plants and animals by preventing the establishment of new weed incursions and removing weeds at strategically important sites. Over 3500 person hours were spent by contractors removing willows, lupins, and other target weeds in the Godley, Cass, Tasman, Ahuriri and upper Tekapo Rivers. Results from long term monitoring of lupin control in the continue to indicate excellent progress is being made.

A highlight of PRRs work this season has been the success of intensive predator work in the Ohau River to improve breeding outcomes of black fronted terns nesting in a colony in the upper river. Last season, over 400 kill traps were placed targeting feral cats, ferrets, stoats, weasels, and hedgehogs (Figure 13). After putting in place additional control measures to address egg predation by Norway rats and possums this year, over 200 nests successfully fledged more than 180 young terns (Figure 14). PRR will be looking to repeat this result consistently in future years before formally evaluating the project, but this year’s breeding FIGURE 14 // Black fronted tern and fledgling. results look promising.

Catchment scale predator trapping in the Tasman River jointly funded by PRR and the kaki/ recovery programme is also ongoing. Over 1000 kill and live capture traps have been 7.2 LAKE ALEXANDRINA FISHERY ENHANCEMENT deployed in the riverbed since 2006. This year, results of breeding PROJECT – FISH AND GAME success over a five year period for wrybill, black fronted tern, and banded dotterel, and survival of adult kaki over twenty years were Since June 2011, Genesis Energy has assisted Fish and Game to analysed. Outcomes could not be clearly attributed to predator manage the Lake Alexandrina Fishery Enhancement Project, a control for some species but for others there has been a clear project that has been underway since the 1980s. This project is an benefit from the predator control work. A future focus will be on environmental management project to maintain and enhance the refining control strategies to further improve benefit to breeding brown and rainbow trout fishery of Lake Alexandrina. This includes birds and other fauna. enhancement of spawning habitat in Scott’s Creek at the top end of the lake which is the only inflowing stream and therefore Other work completed during the current year includes public critical to maintaining the trout fishery. Two-thirds of the inflow awareness work through ongoing distribution of a wide range of to Lake Alexandrina is from springs in the bed of the lake and is braided river resource materials including braided river posters, not available to trout for spawning as trout require loose shingle field guide, information pamphlets and a river-care code. PRR also and flowing water in which to spawn. The size of the lake’s fishery continues to distribute and support a student/teacher resource to spawning habitat is very limited and only available in Scott’s Creek secondary schools which examines values, human impacts and and the Outlet Creek. management of braided river ecosystems. The lower 600 m of Scott’s Creek was regravelled during 2005 Thanks to Chris Woolmore of the Area Office Department to reinstate around two-thirds of the stream’s spawning area. // 12 of Conservation for contributing to this section. Since then works have been undertaken annually to groom the streambed using a small excavator. Grooming of the streambed removes humps and hollows created during the previous season’s spawning. If the streambed is left too long before grooming the trout spawn on the humps and the total area of spawning habitat, TEKAPO and its quality, declines.

Scott’s Creek has a flow of around 80 litres per second and

20 to maximise the distribution of spawning, the right depth and velocity characteristics necessary for trout spawning need to be 7.3 MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES maintained. This is achieved using hand constructed rock weirs (Figure 15). During March 2012, after the digger work to groom During the reporting period of 1 July 2011 – 30 June 2012 a the streambed, the Lake Alexandrina Conservation Trust held a number of maintenance projects were undertaken around TekPS; work day and 40 volunteers built more than 100 weirs (Figure 16). each activity is described below. In some places the weirs were used to speed up water flow where 7.3.1 OIL INTERCEPTOR INSPECTIONS it would otherwise be too deep and slow, and in other areas weirs were used to hold water back where it was too fast and shallow. Resource consent CRC950297.2 and CRC950298.2 require a visual inspection of the oil interceptors at Tekapo A and B Weirs have been built for the last three years and have been highly Power Stations. The oil interceptors are inspected monthly successful at reducing superimposition of spawning by providing and any hydrocarbon present in the interceptors is removed a wider area of streambed with good spawning characteristics. immediately. The majority of inspections result in minor quantities In the lower 200 m of Scott’s Creek, prior to grooming and of oil being removed from both interceptors with the water weir construction, only 2 to 4 redds (trout nests) were counted. discharge remaining clean and clear. At six-monthly intervals a Following the work in Scott’s Creek during March 2012, the same representative sample of the discharge is analysed for oil and section now holds 30 to 60 redds. grease. Discharge samples analysed in October 2011 found less Management of spawning in Scott’s Creek is an evolving process. than 8 milligrams per litre (mg/L) of oil and grease at both Tekapo Rock weirs remain permeable to water and the spawning activity A and B. The second sample analysed in March 2012 resulted in of trout can dismantle them and bury the boulders in the spawning less than 4 mg/L traces of oil and grease at Tekapo A and less gravels. Trials with concrete building blocks in March 2012 found than 5 mg/L at Tekapo B. they made better water deflectors, were easier to stack and 7.3.2 CLEARANCE OF IRON FROM UPPER TEKAPO RIVER were more likely to be recovered prior to grooming. It has also been found that even with weirs in place sections of the creek Large pieces of iron were left behind in the upper Tekapo River remain too wide. It is proposed that trials will be undertaken in from construction of TekPS (Figure 17). Over time, due to water conjunction with bed grooming in March 2013, using boulders of flow in the upper Tekapo River, the iron has been uncovered 300 mm to 500 mm diameter to line the banks and narrow the causing a potential hazard for kayakers. Iron, identified in 2011, flowing channel. was also caught up in a large pile of dead trees. The removal of this iron and the dead trees from the river bed required a 20 tonne Thanks to Mark Webb of Central South Island Fish and Game digger and works were carried out during March 2012. The work Council for contributing to this section. was carried out by Genesis Energy as a permitted activity under the Environment Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan, Chapter 6 (Beds of Lakes and Rivers) Rule 5.

FIGURE 15 // Weir structure using concrete blocks in Scotts Creek.

FIGURE 17 // Iron located in pile of dead trees in upper Tekapo River. // 12

7.3.3 LAKE TEKAPO WATER LEVEL SITE

Minor works were undertaken during June 2012 to re-establish the walkway to the Lake Tekapo water level site. The original access was washed away prior to Genesis Energy ownership during a high lake level event. Works were undertaken to replace eroded material to restore safe access to the site. A small excavator was used to move an estimated one cubic metre of material at the lakeshore. The works were a permitted activity under the Environment Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan, Chapter 6 (Beds of Lakes and Rivers) Rule 2. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL FIGURE 16 // Volunteers construct weirs in Scotts Creek during March 2012. 21 7.3.4 MAINTENANCE OF IRISHMAN CREEK CULVERT New dam safety regulations were set to come into force on 1 July 2010, however, following a parliamentary review their Removal of vegetation at Irishman Creek culvert was undertaken in implementation was delayed until 1 July 2012. Subsequently March 2012 under Resource Consent CRC111740. The vegetation rather than bringing the Dam Safety Scheme into effect, while at removal was carried out for the purpose of maintaining a clear the same time proposing significant changes, Cabinet recently passage for water through the culvert during high flow events. agreed to the further deferral of the Dam Safety Scheme from 1 Self-sown (mainly willow) trees located in the 50 m immediately July 2012 to 1 July 2014. The Building (Dam Safety) Regulations upstream of the culvert were removed using a 20 tonne digger 2008 have been amended to reflect this deferral. The focus of (Figure 18). The Department of Conservation, Fish and Game and the new regulations is public safety, and dams that are found to Environment Canterbury compliance staff were contacted prior to pose a risk to the public will be required to have a formal Dam the work commencing and land holder approval was also obtained. Safety Assurance Programme that is lodged with a territorial authority tasked with managing these issues. It should be noted that Genesis Energy already applies these standards to all its dam structures, and will continue to do so at least until the new regulations come into force.

Dam safety monitoring was carried out by appropriately qualified Civil Engineers from Damwatch, who undertook the annual dam inspections at Lake Tekapo Control Structure Gates, Lake George Scott Dam and Outlets and the Tekapo Canal. Genesis Energy’s dam safety programme also includes regular monthly monitoring and surveillance reports in accordance with our Dam safety programme, which have also been completed during the reporting period. In addition to this, every five years a very extensive Comprehensive Safety Review (CSR) is carried out on our dams. Copies of the reports are available on request. 7.5 OIL SPILL RESPONSE

During January 2012, Genesis Energy and Spill Response NZ Limited undertook an environmental site assessment to determine the effects of an oil spill around TekPS. The assessment was carried FIGURE 18 // Self-sown trees that were removed out to identify the pathways of contamination to the environment if a upstream of Irishman Creek Culvert. spill were to occur and how this risk could be minimised.

The assessment found that most spills at Tekapo A and B Power Stations would be contained within the building structure due 7.3.5 INSTALLATION OF DEER FENCE to the construction of internal drainage systems leading to a basement sump in both stations. A few areas around the stations The Tekapo B end of the Tekapo Canal has proven to be a popular were found to have chipped bunding where a spill could result in area for campers and anglers. However, some members of the contaminants entering the environment. Also cracked concrete public were accessing the surrounding private land from the around drains external to the stations would cause drain mats Tekapo Canal causing ongoing issues for neighbours. During to be ineffective when used to prevent a spill entering the December 2011 Genesis Energy installed a deer fence along a environment. Spill kit bins to address minor spills were located 1 km section of the Tekapo Canal near the Mount Cook Alpine in easily accessible areas around both stations, however the bins Salmon Limited salmon farm to prevent members of the public were not easy to identify due to their dark green colour. accessing the neighbouring property. The installation of the fence has resulted in a noticeable decrease in issues for the The known defects were documented in Genesis Energy’s internal neighbouring property. work systems as a priority to be fixed. Cracks and chips in bunding 7.4 DAM SAFETY and around drains were repaired and a number of drainage holes in the station floor were sealed to direct spills through appropriate The New Zealand Dam Safety Guidelines published by the New drainage pathways to decrease the required clean up response. Zealand Society on Large Dams provide the framework for The delivery of diesel at Tekapo B Power Station was relocated to managing and monitoring the hydraulic structures of the Tekapo minimise risk of contaminants entering the environment by changing Power Scheme. Recent legislation may result in changes to the parking location of the truck. Additional oil spill response kits current safety practices. The new regulations relating to dams have been purchased and located in the Diesel Generator rooms for have yet to be formalised, but a review of a draft copy of these fuel deliveries. Furthermore, all spill kit bins have been changed to rules indicates that the current dam safety practices followed at bright yellow bins to ensure rapid identification. the Tekapo Scheme follow best international practice. Staff from Genesis Energy and Spill Response NZ Limited also met Dam safety at the simplest level involves routine monitoring. On with staff from Environment Canterbury to discuss the processes a monthly basis, assets are inspected and data is collected at a in place, contacts and resources available if a major spill were to number of locations. An expert civil engineer reviews the data and occur at TekPS. provides Genesis Energy with a monthly dam safety report, which is internally reviewed by an engineer. An emergency spill response portable unit including floating booms for the Tekapo Canal and Lake Pukaki and other spill Specially trained individuals are involved at the next level of safety. response supplies will be obtained during 2012/13. Genesis Deformation surveys are carried out, typically once or twice a year. Energy will also be investigating the purchase of a small spill

// 12 Several times a year an engineer looks at assets and issues not response boat for boom deployment. Staff training exercises

targeted by monthly monitoring. For a number of higher risk assets, will be regularly undertaken once this equipment is available. a specialist consultant engineer carries out an annual inspection. The current oil spill procedures at TekPS will be expanded to allow them to be incorporated into a wider Renewable Energy As a check of all safety processes and procedures, dam safety procedures document in the next reporting period. reviews are carried out on significant assets at five year intervals. TEKAPO These thorough reviews involve external civil, mechanical and electrical engineering experts. 22 7.6 SAFETY SIGNAGE PROJECT 7.8 PUBLICALLY AVAILABLE HYDROLOGY INFORMATION

During the reporting period Genesis Energy undertook a signage Genesis Energy has an extensive monitoring network around TekPS review to assess the presence of appropriate safety information recording water level, flow, rainfall, wind and snow level data. Most around TekPS. Signage at points of entry to private roads, of this data is deemed operational and commercially sensitive. property and structures were reviewed to determine how Genesis Currently only Lake Tekapo level is provided publically and this is Energy could provide more information to the public to explain displayed and updated at 30 minute intervals on the Genesis Energy the potential hazards in the vicinity. Nearly 100 new signs were website under Rivers, Lakes and Rainfall information. Genesis produced for TekPS and erected around the scheme. Energy is currently undertaking a review of the data we record and the appropriateness of displaying more data in near real-time on 7.7 PUBLIC COMPLAINTS our website. This review may result in new information being made Genesis Energy records all public complaints via an Event available during the next reporting period. Management System. Complaints are documented along with Genesis Energy also accepts requests for hydrology data from our relevant recommendations and actions. archive data sets. This can be obtained by contacting the Hydrology Table 11 details the one complaint received for the reporting team via their email address ([email protected]) and period, and the actions taken to address the issue. stating the data you require and the purpose for obtaining it.

Since this time, procedures for closing the Tekapo Canal road in Environmental data in the Lake Tekapo catchment is also recorded high winds, ice, snow, or for operational reasons have been refined. by third parties and can be viewed on the Environment Canterbury and NIWA (Environmental Data Explorer New Zealand) websites. Genesis Energy closes the Tekapo Canal Road from time to time for three main reasons:

High wind hazard; Snow or ice hazard; Operational or maintenance works.

Wind monitoring is undertaken near the Tekapo Canal and when wind conditions reach 10 metres per second for a period of 30 minutes, the Tekapo Canal Road is closed for safety. During the reporting period there was a total of 121 high wind alarms requiring the Tekapo Canal Road to be closed (some alarms occurred when the road was already closed). The Tekapo Canal Road was also closed three times due to ice hazards.

TABLE 11 // Public complaint during the reporting period.

Location Complaint Corrective Action Tekapo Canal A fisherman contacted Genesis Energy to complain that he had The fisherman was contacted by telephone to discuss the been locked in the Tekapo Canal Road which had been closed reponsibility Genesis Energy has for closing the road in for safety reasons due to high wind. The Genesis Energy staff hazardous conditions. Public safety issues around access member closing the gates at the time requested the fisherman and use of the Tekapo Canal Road is part of a wider review to exit the road and gave him the opportunity to leave by advising Genesis Energy is completing. an exit route. // 12

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 23 24 TEKAPO // 12 08 INITIATIVES ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY AND 08 COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES 8.2 AORAKI BOUND – NGÃI TAHU

8.1 SCHOOLGEN Genesis Energy in partnership with the Bank of New Zealand support Aoraki Bound, a leadership programme developed by Te Schoolgen is a programme developed by Genesis Energy to bring Runanga o Ngãi Tahu. solar energy to life for children across New Zealand. Children are our future leaders and decision makers so it is important that they Aoraki Bound is a cultural and personal development programme understand the role renewable energy will play in their future. which combines Ngãi Tahu cultural knowledge and expertise with By talking and interacting with children we have a real chance to the experience and reputation of Outward Bound. The course is cultivate environmentally-aware thinking and behaviour; not just a 20 day journey that builds leadership, cultural awareness and theirs, but that of the people around them including their teachers, challenges participants to stretch their personal development. parents, parent’s colleagues, friends and the whole community. Students spend eight days at the Outward Bound base in Anakiwa, Queen Charlotte Sound, and then hikoi (journey) down through the Since Schoolgen began in 2006. Genesis Energy has created a Ngãi Tahu tribal rohe (region) finishing at the base of Aoraki/Mt comprehensive programme that includes: Cook (approximately 50kms from Lake Tekapo) (Figure 20).

40 teaching resources that are free of charge for any primary, Aoraki Bound is the highest profile of all the programmes within intermediate or secondary school in New Zealand. The the Ngãi Tahu capability strategy and has 164 Alumni. resources can be used and linked to the New Zealand education curriculum. The resources explore electricity On 19 February 2012 Genesis Energy attended the celebratory generation, climate change, and renewable energy, in lunch (hãkari) at the conclusion of the course to acknowledge particular, solar energy and photovoltaic (PV) systems. the participants’ journey and achievements. Attended by family, friends, sponsors and Iwi representatives, the hãkari provides Providing 42 schools in the North Island and currently 4 an opportunity for the participant’s to reflect and impart some of schools in the South Island with a 2 kilowatt (kW) PV system, their many experiences and learnings gained from the course and at no cost to the schools. The PV system allows these schools simply thank those that supported them to attend the course. to generate a portion of their electricity from the sun, and to teach their students about solar energy, climate change The Genesis Energy/ Ngãi Tahu agreement was signed on 22 and electricity generation. December 2011 (Figure 21). It is an exciting opportunity for Genesis Energy to work alongside Ngãi Tahu. A dedicated programme website on which the real time generation data from the solar panels at these schools is Thanks to Janyne Morrison of Te Runanga o Ngãi Tahu for displayed for anyone to see. contributing to this section.

Specialised Environmental Educators who work at the primary, intermediate and secondary school level in the Schoolgen schools, helping students and teachers to learn about renewable energy and energy efficiency.

With Genesis Energy’s recent entry into the South Island, the Schoolgen programme is being rolled out to schools in the South Island. Banks Avenue, Middleton Grange and Sumner Schools in Christchurch are the first three schools in the South Island to join the Schoolgen programme. A solar-themed performance at Sumner School was held on 20 June 2012 to mark the launch of the Schoolgen programme into the South Island (Figure 19). The launch was attended by the principals and students from the other South Island Schoolgen schools, Genesis Energy staff, and key personnel from EnaSolar (solar manufacturer) and the Ministry of Education.

In March 2012, Lake Tekapo School was given the opportunity to become a Schoolgen school. This offer included an array of 2 kW PV solar panels installed on the school’s roof as well as a battery back-up to store electricity. Representatives from Lake Tekapo School attended the launch at Sumner School and will have solar FIGURE 20 // A group of Aoraki Bound students at Lake Pukaki panels installed during August 2012 and a launch celebration in March 2012. during September 2012. // 12

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL

FIGURE 19 // Sumner school celebrates with the Schoolgen team (Maggie Twaddle and Rob Duff) and Genesis Energy Chief Executive,

Albert Brantley. 25 Implementation of the Whio Forever Investment Agreement is well underway. A management committee has been established with three representatives of each organisation and a representative from the Central North Island Blue Duck Conservation Charitable Trust and from the Royal Forest and Bird Society. The committee has met twice and agreed the year one funding. The committee is in the process of assessing and agreeing a five year strategic plan. A vision statement has also been developed (Figure 23).

FIGURE 21 // Genesis Energy Chief Executive Albert Brantley and Sir Tipene O’Regan of Ngãi Tahu at the signing of the Aoraki Bound Agreement.

8.3 NATIONAL WHIO RECOVERY PROJECT

In 2010, Genesis Energy received an exclusive invitation from the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) National Whio Recovery Group to become the Corporate Sponsor of Whio. The Whio Investment Agreement was subsequently signed by DOC and Genesis Energy on 31 August 2011 in Wellington. The agreement commits, in full, $2.5 million over five years to fully implement the Whio Recovery Plan thereby securing the future of Whio.

To formally announce and celebrate the Whio Investment Agreement, a sponsorship launch was held at the Tongariro National Trout Centre on 1 March 2012. The launch was well attended, with representatives from Ngati Tuwharetoa, Hon. Kate Wilkinson (Minister of Conservation), Dame Jenny Shipley (Chair of Genesis Energy), media, as well as many Genesis Energy and Department of Conservation staff members from across New Zealand (Figure 22).

FIGURE 23 // The Whio Forever Vision Statement.

Whio Awareness Month was again held during March 2012, and significant television and print advertising was undertaken to raise awareness of the plight of the Whio. The key tag line was ‘We can’t

// 12 let the Whio end up like the Moa’. A relatively high level of media

awareness was generated and as a result some good editorial coverage. The Great Whio Adventure (formerly ‘Be A Ranger For A Day’ Competition) was run again and winners from the North and South Island were chosen to receive a four day holiday which includes time spent with a DOC ranger learning about the Whio in TEKAPO the field.

FIGURE 22 // Hon. Kate Wilkinson (Minister of Conservation) During March as a part of Whio Awareness Month, the third ‘Whio 26 and Dame Jenny Shipley (Chair Genesis Energy) at the ‘Whio Family Day’ was held this year on 10 March at the Tongariro Forever’ Investment Launch. National Trout Centre, hosted by the Central North Island Blue Duck Conservation Charitable Trust, DOC, Forest & Bird and Genesis Energy. It was a great day out for families to enjoy fun activities and learn more about whio. The day was once again a great success, with more than 600 people attending (Figure 24).

An onsite auction of donated prizes raised almost $3,000 for Whio conservation. Large bids were placed on items such as an oil painting on rimu of whio (painted by a Genesis Energy staff member), a Good Nature Possum Trap, and accommodation at both the Black Fern and Blue Duck lodges.

FIGURE 25 // A few of the Genesis Energy Pukekos at Relay for Life in Twizel.

8.5 CURTAIN BANK

Genesis Energy is proud to be the major sponsor of four different Curtain Banks in Auckland, Huntly, Wellington and Christchurch. Involvement in these community initiatives is one way in which Genesis Energy can assist low income households to save money on their energy bills and create warmer, healthier, more private homes. FIGURE 24 // Whio Family Day at the Tongariro National Trout Centre. The Christchurch Curtain Bank is run by Community Energy Action and primary funds come from the surpluses generated by that organisation. The Christchurch Curtain Bank assists low income households who live in a cold and/or damp house and have 8.4 CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE insufficient, or no curtains to shut out the cold and draughts. The programme’s objective is to protect the health of people by making The Cancer Society Relay for Life is a fundraising event where their homes warmer by providing recycled thermal or lined teams are required to walk laps of a field for 17 hours ensuring curtains for living rooms and bedrooms. at least one team member is on the course for the entire duration of the event. Relay for Life is held in communities all over New Genesis Energy has sponsored the Christchurch Curtain Bank Zealand to raise money and awareness for the Cancer Society. since August 2010. During the reporting period the Christchurch Fundraising from the event is used to enable the delivery of free Curtain Bank fitted 1,105 windows in 224 houses with curtains, patient and family services, funding for research, risk reduction totalling 3,529 square metres of curtains for Christchurch programmes and much more. residents (Figure 26). Genesis Energy entered a team into the Relay for Life on 10 and 11 March 2012 at Twizel. The Genesis Energy Pukekos were made up of 22 team members including the Tekapo and Christchurch Genesis Energy staff, as well as family and friends. The Genesis Energy Pukekos raised money by raffling off donated prizes, garage sales, donations, as well as a sausage sizzle, rowing competition and grocery lucky dips on the day. The Genesis Energy Pukekos raised $7633 for the Cancer Society with over $50,000 raised in total for the Cancer Society at the Twizel event. // 12

FIGURE 26 // A volunteer helps Gayle Katene at the Christchurch Curtain Bank. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 27 28 TEKAPO // 12 09 OBJECTIVES KEY

9.1 KEY OBJECTIVES

Key objectives are identified for the 2012/13 reporting period in the table below.

TABLE 12 // Key objectives for 2012–2013

Outcome/Initiative Objective Action 2012 - 13 Tekapo Canal Continue to plan for and begin Undertake Year 1 works in line with resource consents and Remediation Project works for the Tekapo Canal stakeholder agreeements Remediation Project Environmental Update our understanding of the Undertake initial investigative environmental studies with a view to developing Monitoring Programme environment in which Tekapo Power an environmental monitoring programme at the Tekapo Power Scheme Scheme operates Signage All signage is relevant and reflected Review signage to ensure consitency with other hydro-generation assets. in the Signage Management System Ensure Signage Management System is up-to-date and a review process is established

Maintain Genesis Have robust spill response Review and obtain necessary spill response equipment and requirements at the Energy's environmental requirements in place Tekapo Power Scheme response Ngãi Tahu Continue to develop a relationship Seek to establish a formal relationship with Ngãi Tahu and participate in shared with Ngãi Tahu learning opportunities Community Partnership Continue to develop a partnership Continue to meet and discuss opportunities with the Lake Tekapo Community with the Lake Tekapo community Board and others

National Whio Continue to implement the National Support Whio Investment Agreement Committee and Technical Working Group Sponsorship Whio Investment Agreement to develop and implement a 5 year strategic plan, a communications plan, and begin Whio Forever advocacy in the South Island

Lake Tekapo Keep the Lake Tekapo community Genesis Energy to hold a public consultative meeting during 2012 Community informed of Genesis Energy's Consultative Meeting activities

Schoolgen Implement the Schoolgen Genesis Energy will roll out Schoolgen at two further Christchurch schools and programme in Christchurch and will host a launch to celebrate Schoolgen at Lake Tekapo School Lake Tekapo

Public safety Maintain the high priority focus of Review and continually update health and safety procedures at and around the health and safety at and around the Tekapo Power Scheme Tekapo Power Scheme // 12

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 29 10 REFERENCES

Ministry of Economic Development, 2012. New Zealand Energy Data File 2012.

Tekapo Hydraulic Manual: Chapter 3 Flood Management, last reviewed October 2011. Hydraulic Manual to operate the Tekapo Power Scheme.

Tekapo Power Scheme Appendix A Extracts of Waitaki Operating Rules, 1990. Appendix of the Resource Consents held by Genesis Energy. // 12

TEKAPO 30 TEKAPO POWER SCHEME MAP // 12