NOW is the time to fill Lake Hawthorn and get rid of the pungent odour once and for all, says chairperson of the Save the Lake Committee John Bell.
With increased flows making their way down the Murray River due to recent heavy rains, Mr Bell said now was the perfect time to act on filling the lake.
He called for the formation of a working party to find an effective solution for long-term management of the lake.
Approaches have been made to Mildura Rural City Council, Lower Murray Water (LMW) and Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) to join the working party.
Mildura Mayor Glenn Milne said council was working with LMW to approach the Department of Sustainability and Environment to see if Lake Hawthorn can be filled using environmental water.
“I agree that with the high river and the increased flows coming downstream that it is an opportune time to fill the lake,” Cr Milne said.
Mr Bell said stakeholders, including LMW and council, needed to acknowledge their past and present use of the lake.
He said infrastructure was in place to fill the lake and present environmental conditions suited.
“Now appears to be the perfect time for this action to occur with the river in a time of flood,” Mr Bell said.
“It was understandable during drought times it was tough for all growers in this area and excess water was unavailable.
“However now is the time when Lake Hawthorn would traditionally fill – a time when fresh water and fish would flow into the lake and make Lake Hawthorn a bird and fishing paradise.
“Due to these man made levees and management systems which leave the lake to dry up and permeate pungent odours on the community, we have a situation which is not good for anybody.
“Not for the environment, not good for the birdlife, not good for the lake and not good for Mildura.”
One of the common misconceptions of Lake Hawthorn is that it has always been a drainage lake.
“That is not the case,” Mr Bell said.
“While it has been used as a drainage lake in recent times, historically Lake Hawthorn was a natural lake filled in times of flood by the Murray River.
“Since 1968 it has been used as a drainage lake, which resulted in levees being built to stop water from the Murray flowing in and topping up in times of high river.
“Our less preferred options, which are being considered, are actions through VCAT and an environmental action for misuse of the environment.
“We want a plan to cover all issues including environmental and social for a long term outcome.
“There may be a number of options available to solve the problem but without due process we are going around in circles. “
In recent times infrastructure was added to allow irrigators to discharge their drainage water into it at a cost. It was also used as part of the Murray River Salt Interception Scheme.
Now due to better irrigation systems, reduction in the number of horticultural properties and the cessation of the lake for use in the salt interception scheme, the lake is only used for a small amount of stormwater drainage overflowing from the unattractive wetlands in Mildura South leaving the lake to dry up and evaporate without the natural inflows.
“The consequences of this are however unpleasant for anyone who has to endure smells emanating from the lake reaching as far as the residents of the Ontario Avenue nursing home and visitors alighting from flights at the Mildura airport,” Mr Bell said.
“Not only is the smell an issue for surrounding residents but also for the environment.
“So far all fish life is now extinct, of greatest concern is the Murray hardyhead, which is listed on the endangered species register.”
Lake Hawthorn was one of only four sites where this fish existed. The Murray hardyhead’s preferred breeding period is thought to be between September and March.
If it does become extinct, it will be the first fish species to become extinct in Australia since Federation.
Lower Murray Water has a biodiversity strategy in place to aid in the improvement of ecosystems occupying LMW sites.
Lake Hawthorn is one of such site, yet it seems difficult to bring anyone to the table.
The challenge is out there from the Save the Lake Committee for all parties to come out from under the table and come up with a viable solution.
The Save the Lake Committee would prefer to work with the relevant parties, however a number of alternatives are being investigated.
This story appeared in Friday’s Sunraysia Daily 10/09/2010.
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