Seeing progress: Vicky Hamilton, Tracy Lowry, Kevin Ryan, Peter Hamilton, Jody Vincitorio and Shelley Holness at Lake Bartlett in Tatura.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The overgrown and unkept state of Tatura’s Lake Bartlett has prompted a group of residents to approach Greater Shepparton City Council, asking for it to be fixed.
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Council announced it would be lowering the water level of the lake to allow for the removal of azolla (also known as duck weed) and an inspection of the drainage from May 1 to 12.
The group has been beyond thrilled to see the much-needed work take place this past week.
The group members are hoping it is the start of further progression towards completing the approved master plan from 2010.
Tracy Lowry is one of the Tatura residents in the group who has pushed for this change.
“The master plan, which sadly wasn’t completed in 2010, always had the lake being both a balance of ecological and environmental values and recreational use,” she said.
“With years of inaction, our lake has been overrun and has become a bit of an eyesore and not capable of being used for anything, and it’s a shame a lot of residents and new people to our town have no idea how beautiful it can be.
Wanting something done: Vicky Hamilton, Tracy Lowry, Kevin Ryan, Peter Hamilton, Jody Vincitorio and Shelley Holness at Lake Bartlett in Tatura.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“We are confident we can now continue to work alongside council and the steering committee to restore this town asset to what the master plan outlined it to be.”
According to a council spokesperson, the Lake Bartlett Management Plan is being reviewed by council and it will implement changes where needed.
Tatura Community Planning Committee chair Carl Walters said the group was looking forward to working with the community and council in implementing further improvements to the lake.
“We’re looking forward to the maintenance they’re going to do and hopefully it will open it up more to the community.
Overgrown: Greater Shepparton City Council is in the process of cleaning the lake, and a spokesperson says further maintenance will be carried out over the coming weeks.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“There is a master plan and we want to keep implementing it, which will make the whole precinct better.
“When they (council) review the master plan, we want to make sure we’re a part of that review so we can get a better agreed position, and we’ll work with the community when it comes to that.”
As of Friday, May 5, the council spokesperson said workers would continue pumping the lake and the floating azolla for another three to five days before refilling the water.
Further maintenance work will commence on Monday, May 15, where the remaining azolla, eel grass and cumbungi will be removed from the lake.
The juncus will also be removed from the middle of the lake and the remainder of the lake body will be thinned out.
Contractors will return later in the year to undertake further thinning of aquatic vegetation in the wetland area, and staff will undertake thinning of terrestrial plants around the wetland on the southern end of the lake.
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