Lake Colac foreshore improvement works underway
Published on 25 May 2018
Lake Colac foreshore improvement works underway
Works commenced this morning at Lake Colac to improve the foreshore area west of the boat ramp with Colac Otway Shire Council Mayor Joe McCracken there to see the first reeds removed.
“The maintenance and improvement of this area of the lake is much needed to ensure our community and their access to the lake is much improved. It’s great to be here to see works get underway,” he said.
The process began with removal of reeds from the water beside the boat ramp and will continue by shifting sand and removing vegetation from the foreshore itself as part of the Lake Colac Beach Reclamation project.
Beach reclamation works will stretch from the jetty to the boat ramp and the boat ramp to the groyne and a strip in front of the rowing club.
Cr McCracken said the process of removing vegetation will improve access and usability of the lake as well as provide a sandy beach area for families, and the community. There will also be a beach area for the rowing club.
“You can imagine on a lovely day how nice it will be for families and kids to come and enjoy a sandy spot on the edge of the lake.
“It will mean the community is able to make better use of the lake, you’ll be able to easily walk canoes and paddle out in to the water,” he said.
Cr McCracken said he was well aware of the value the Colac Otway community place in preserving and improving Lake Colac foreshore.
“Feedback from the community has been they want to make better use of the lake, we hope we can achieve that with this project, which forms part of the wider Colac Lake Masterplan,” he said.
Cr McCracken said all measures had been taken to protect the habitat, minimise erosion and also reduce polluted surface run-off from adjacent land users.
“Whilst Council is removing native vegetation in this maintenance work we’re aiming to improve access and usability of Lake Colac for everyone.
“We intend to enhance the use and aesthetic appeal of the lake but we’re always mindful of environmental impacts to birdlife, fish and native vegetation and have followed the permit process to be absolutely sure this is protected.”
“Council hopes to enhance and improve usability of the lake, we hope it will attract visitors as a specific drawcard to the area. We also hope to ensure Colac locals and residents of the shire can make use of this great resource in our backyard,” Cr McCracken said.