Clutha Pumped Hydro project

The proposed Clutha Pumped Hydro (Onslow) project has significant implications for Otago's freshwater fisheries and game bird habitat. It is intended to progress under the Fast-track Approvals Act, which can make public participation uncertain, difficult and costly. 

Because of this, Fish & Game is engaging early with the applicant to get the best possible outcomes for licence holders. 

The project proposes to expand Lake Onslow and use it as a battery, providing stored hydropower during dry years for the whole of New Zealand.  

The proposal may result in the following: 

  • The Lake Onslow fishery as we know it may be lost, due to the loss of spawning habitat and, during dry years, shallow habitat which supports trout populations. 
  • The current location of fishing huts could be inundated.
  • Flows in the lower Clutha River/Mata-Au up to about 200 cubic metres may be moved between Lake Onslow and the Clutha/Mata-Au.
  • Rare high-country scroll plain, which provides game bird habitat, may be flooded. 
  • Pest species from the Clutha/Mata-Au may be introduced into Lake Onslow and the Teviot River. 
  • Public access, particularly during construction, may be impacted. 

You can review preliminary information about the proposal in the referral application. 

Fish & Game is working with the applicant to understand the full details, confirm the adverse effects and investigate ways to get the best possible result for anglers and game bird hunters. This may include a range of mitigation measures to reduce the impacts on fisheries and habitat, through to offsets or compensation if they are lost. 

We recognise that the Clutha Pumped Hydro is intended to enable New Zealand to reduce its carbon emissions from energy generation. This will help mitigate the impacts of climate change, which are predicted to be severe for sports fisheries in Otago. 

It is rare to see an application that may have such dramatic impacts on a fishery. Because of this, Fish & Game is inviting licence holders to send in their thoughts. Click here to provide feedback.

Any feedback will be considered in Fish & Game’s work on the proposal.