Griffith Sailing Club president has come forward to welcome the potential solution which could help end Lake Wyangan’s blue-green algae woes.
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Relevant stakeholders including council representatives met last Wednesday to discuss a potential solution, which would involve selling off water used to top up the lake’s supply, the profits from which would go back into a long-term fix.
Sailing Club president Tom Mackerras said while the proposal wasn’t ideal, it was a “pragmatic approach aiming towards a positive outcome.”
“It’s the best outcome for us in the long term with the resources we have and that’s the important thing, working towards a future,” Mr Mackerras said.
“What’s proposed is based on the already low level of the lake, and this provides an opportunity now to do maintenance works around the shores lines, so that we can bring forward some planned works… rather than having to reduce lake levels and pump it out later. It is a positive step and all the users I’ve spoken to are supportive.”
On Wednesday, Griffith Marine Centre Owner Scott Collis said as a businessman, he welcomed the idea.
“I’ve been a part of these meetings for six or seven years now, and we always talk about finding a solution but there has never been any funding for it.
“If this gives us 16 to 18 months of pain with low water levels, so be it. My business is going to cop it more than anybody.”
Mr Collis said by selling off the water and making that money available to the new Lake Wyangan project officer will to help move towards a long-term solution.
“You could put 1200 megalitres of water in that lake today and in a months time it will be on red alert and no-one will want to use it anyway… and in six weeks that water will have evaporated.
“If we can sell that water for around $350,000 to $400,000, council may then put some money towards it, we can approach the Member for Murray Austin Evans for more, then we may be able to raise almost $1 million towards a permanent solution.”
While concern has circulated over the potential closure of the lake over the summer season, both Mr Collis and Mr Mackerras said this was not the case.
“I’ve used the lake a lot lower than what it is now, so everyone will still be able to ski, sail, fish, we just have to be a bit more cautious in what we are doing,” Mr Collis said.
“This way here the door is half way open and their may be light at the end of the tunnel, especially now we have a guy who knows how to fix it.”
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Mr Mackerras agreed, saying people could still use the lake, but just be more aware of the hazards.
‘Red Alert’ warnings are regularly issued for Lake Wyangan, which has meant the loss of several marquee water events. Griffith mayor John Dal Broi was expected to deliver a mayoral minute to discuss the idea at the last general council meeting, however due to the “complexity” of the issue postponed until the next general meeting in November.
“I will wait until the next council meeting before making a comment on the issue,” Cr Dal Broi said.
More to come.
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