At this week’s Council meeting, we shared investigations into the operation and management of Freshwater Lake, West Lakes as we look to maintain this much-loved community asset, and consider possible improvements that could be made.
We also shared the feedback we have received from our community in the first stage of community consultation which shows the strong community connections to Freshwater Lake and how much enjoyment it brings our community. All community engagement will follow the community engagement approach endorsed by Council on 28 February 2022.
Read more on the investigations and the community feedback.
We are now preparing for the next stage of community consultation which will describe two options and invite community feedback:
- Option 1: Maintain the lake in its current form with existing maintenance and management practices.
- Option 2: Retain the lake in its current form with structural and management improvements to permanently enhance lake performance water quality, operations, and management.
Within Option 2, we will explain two different methods that can improve water quality – a bioretention system and floating wetland system. We will explain what each method involves and looks like, and any advantages or disadvantages of each.
Next steps
- We will commence community engagement in the last week of July 2022. Keep an eye out for more information at this time which will include a letterbox drop to Delfin Island residents and ratepayers, updated information signs at the Lake, information at key places, on Your Say Charles Sturt as well as our website and social media channels.
- The review of community feedback will begin in late August 2022.
- Identification of a preferred option in September 2022.
- A report is then anticipated to go to Council in October 2022.
To follow the consultation visit Your Say.