Council investment reaps rewards for the Lakes


Wyong Shire Council is continuing to carry out a number of projects in and around the Tuggerah Lakes to help improve the health of the estuary.
 
As part of Council’s Wyong Alive campaign, October is all about lakes and beaches and is a great chance to highlight some of the works being done.
 
Council’s Waterways and Coastal Section Manager, Mr Luke Sulkowski, said Council has been able to do extra improvement works thanks to a $3.25 million funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme to help improve the health of Tuggerah Lakes.
 
“The extra funding has helped us carry out extra works and studies to benefit the lakes,” Mr Sulkowski said.
 
“This financial year works from the grant included building a wetland to improve the stormwater entering Tuggerah Lake at Long Jetty; enhancing Long Jetty foreshore; preliminary planning for streambank stabilisation works at Lower Wyong River; and infrastructure to enhance and protect existing natural saltmarsh communities, to name a few.
 
“We are also continuing our wrack removal program and dredging The Entrance Channel as well as cleaning and upgrading our Gross Pollutant Traps (GPT) around the Shire.
 
“We will be upgrading ten GPTs this financial year alone. GPTs play an important role in protecting the lakes as they stop all the debris from entering and polluting them.”
 
Council’s Mayor, Doug Eaton OAM, reiterated how important the works are to improve the health of the lakes.
 
“There’s been a lot of talk around what should and shouldn’t be done to improve the Lakes’ health,” Mayor Eaton said.
 
“Our staff are experts in their field and know what works are best for the Tuggerah Lakes.
 
“Following a recent Tuggerah Lakes Estuary meeting our staff will now consider other options to enhance navigation between the estuary and the ocean.
 
“We are continuing to investigate and find new ways we can improve and protect this great asset of ours.
 
“The recent State of the Beaches report shows the Shire’s beaches rated highly with our lakes beaches showing some improvement – and this is from all the work we continue to do.
 
“The foreshores of Canton Beach and Lake Munmorah are a great example of the renourishment works we have done and how it’s improved not only the water quality but the amenity of the area too – making it popular for families once again.
 
“A section of foreshore at Long Jetty is next on the list and is just one of the many steps we are taking to improve the foreshore area.”
 
An official opening of a newly constructed wetland at Long Jetty will be held on Monday 2 November from 3.30pm.

For more information visit Wyong Shire Council