Council to trial vegetation removal at Lake Wallace

Published on 19 August 2022

West Wimmera Shire Council will trial a five per cent removal of vegetation from Lake Wallace in a bid to establish the most efficient maintenance program for ongoing management of vegetation in the lake.

Council engaged Aquatic Technologies to investigate the densely covered aquatic plant growth in Lake Wallace and to provide options for the lake’s ongoing management.

Aquatic Technologies’ report found that most of the plant growth (85 to 90 per cent) was ribbon weed and provided some options and guidelines for the ongoing management.

Although a range of treatment options were presented to the council, with the current low water levels, the only viable method of weed cutting is via an amphibious harvester.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Council resolved to remove eight hectares of vegetation, at a cost of about $40,000.

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has kindly committed to a contribution of $30,000 towards the weed cutting trial.

Council also supported the extension of the lake’s boat ramp by 20 metres to improve water access.

The extension cost is about $20,000. The extension will take place during the summer when the water level is down.

Director Infrastructure Development and Works Ram Upadhyaya said removing an excessive amount of the ribbon weed might increase the chances of blue-green algae, but a trial cutting only five per cent would be safe and well within the guidelines provided by the experts.

Currently, the water level in the lake is about nine metres away from the end of the boat ramp.

Extending the boat ramp will allow improved access for water users.

The extension of the boat ramp would mean the ramp would end 300mm below the end of the current ramp.

Council will also establish a biannual testing regime for the lake, costing $2800 each year.

Mr Upadhyaya said the management of vegetation and extension of the boat ramp at Lake Wallace was also likely to provide some recreational benefits to the local community as well as tourists.