Lake Wallace Strategic Plan adopted
Published on 17 June 2022
A new strategic plan for Edenhope’s Lake Wallace aims to increase visitation to the region.
West Wimmera Shire Council, together with the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have developed a Lake Wallace Strategic Plan 2022 – 2032.
Council adopted the Lake Wallace Strategic Plan at a meeting on Wednesday.
The strategic plan provides a clear vision for Lake Wallace and its future management.
Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said the plan identifies how to diversify and increase use of the lake and at the same time, protect and enhance its natural and cultural assets.
It includes a program of priority projects, which aim to develop and protect the lake’s township liveability, water level, recreation, tourism, environmental and cultural values.
As part of the plan, a number of short- and long-term actions were identified.
The actions include upgrading the picnic ground beside Lake Wallace overflow; advocating for piped water supply to the lake; procuring a floating pontoon; increasing the online profile of the lake; considering cutting aquatic plants; and advocating for a Back Swamp flood study to optimise inflows and improve water quality.
Mr Bezuidenhout said that proposed projects, including maintenance and lobbying activities in the strategy, would be presented annually to Council for their consideration and potential inclusion in the Annual Plan and Budget.
The plan hopes to address declining visitation numbers, with an aim to increase visitation to the lake by 10 per cent in five years, and by 20 per cent in 10 years.
The plan states that visitation of Lake Wallace was down by more than 50 percent during the 2020 and 2021.
This was due to the millennium drought, from 1996 to 2016, which impacted water levels negatively, and caused excessive aquatic plant growth due to low water levels.
The drop in visitation was also caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Lake Wallace is widely regarded as one of the most significant natural assets within West Wimmera Shire, which supports the economy by attracting visitors and community events into the shire,” Mr Bezuidenhout said.
“We hope the projects identified in this plan will help bring the lake back to its former glory.”