The Need for a Management Plan
The lake is an important recreational resource for both the local community
and broader regional communities. In the northern sector, the Department
of Sport and Recreation conducts outdoor education, sports development
and community recreation programs. Elsewhere, the lake provides a
safe swimming environment and attracts day picnickers and tourists.
It is particularly popular during the Easter, Christmas and school holidays.
An increase in the population at Lennox Head, increased tourism and
planned further development of the Sport and Recreation Centre are some
of the local issues placing increasing pressure on the natural processes
of the lake and its surrounds.
The need for a comprehensive management plan has also been prompted
by blue-green algae blooms in the lake. In January 1994, an outbreak
of Oscillatoria occurred, and outbreaks of Anabaena and Microcystis occurred
in the spring and summer of 1995-96. These latter blooms resulted
in the erection of warning signs by Council. Since then, and based
on the results of the Lake Processes Study, a bubble plume aeration system
has been designed and installed in an attempt to mitigate the processes
that lead to algae blooms.
The study is being undertaken in accordance with the NSW Governments
Estuary Management Policy as outlined in the
Estuary Management Manual (1992). The Estuary Management Policy is
implemented through the following processes:
-
Establish an Estuary Management Committee
-
Assemble existing data
-
Undertake and Estuary Processes Study
-
Undertake an Estuary Management Study
-
Prepare a Draft Estuary Management Plan
-
Public & Government review of the Draft Plan
-
Adopt and Implement the Estuary Management Plan
-
Monitor and review the previous steps where necessary.
This current study relates to steps 4 to 6
of the above processes. Step 2 of the process was completed in August 1996
by AWACS in the form on The Lake Ainsworth Lake Processes Study.
An extract from this study showing the processes affecting Lake Ainsworth
is shown below:
Lake Ainsworth Processes Schematic
Project Objectives
The aim of this project is to provide mechanisms for the balanced, long
term management of the lake and its surrounds. The goals adopted
for the project are:
-
to ensure the conservation, maintenance and rehabilitation of Lake Ainsworth
and its environs in perpetuity at a sustainable and compatible level;
-
to provide for recreational needs of residents and tourists in a low key
environment; and
-
to encourage scientific research into the genesis, evolution and management
of coastal freshwater lakes.
Key Issues and Photo Gallery
There will be a range of management issues addressed during this project.
Some of these are:
-
occurrence of algal blooms;
-
water quality;
-
coastal erosion of frontal dune system immediately adjacent to the lake;
-
recreational usage;
-
flooding
-
4WD access to the beach adjacent to the lake;
-
drainage points into the lake;
-
access points to the water;
-
reserve facilities;
-
flora/fauna;
-
impacts of climate change; and
-
existing and future multiple uses of surrounding land.
 |
 |
 |
|
Algal bloom (1995)
|
Elevated water level - Lake Ainsworth Centre
|
Warning sign to swimmers
|
Study Team
The project is being undertaken on behalf of Ballina Shire Council by Manly
Hydraulics Laboratory, which is part of the NSW Department of Public Works
and Services. To assist in this project, Manly Hydraulics Laboratory
have engaged the services of local consultants:
-
The GeoLINK GROUP Pty Ltd, to assist with community consultation and planning,
and
-
Peter Parker - Environmental Consultant, to assist with ecological issues.
Specialist sub-consultants have also been engaged to assist with algal
issues (DECC - Centre for Natural Resources) and hydrogeology (Water Research
Laboratory).
Lake Ainsworth Management Plan Bulletin Board
This bulletin board has been established and is managed by the NSW Department
of Public Works and Services, Manly Hydraulics Laboratory on behalf of
Ballina Shire Council. The purpose of the bulletin board is for community
comment on, and input to, the Lake Ainsworth Management Study and Management
Plan.
Rules of the Lake Ainsworth Bulletin Board are:
-
Comments, input or questions posted to the bulletin board should be as
brief as possible. Longer submissions or photographs, reports etc should
be e-mailed, posted, or dropped into the local project contact Rob
Van Iersel at:
email: rvi@geolink.net.au
Mail:
GeoLINK
PO Box 9
Lennox Head NSW 2478
Phone: 6687 7666 Fax: 6687 7782
or alternately the
Manly Hydraulics Laboratory at:
Mail:
Manly Hydraulics Laboratory
110b King Street
Manly Vale NSW 2093
Phone: 02 99490200 Fax: 02 99486185
Please include a return address with any photographs/reports
etc. if you require them to be returned at the completion of the study.
-
Information on the bulletin board will be maintained at the discretion
of MHL. Offensive, derogatory or defamatory submissions will be deleted
at the discretion of the study team.
Lake Ainsworth
Bulletin Board
Project Timetable
The project will be carried out in two stages. The first stage involves
undertaking a management study which defines management objectives, strategy
options and their impacts. The second stage involves the preparation of
a management plan which will document activities needed to achieve the
desired goals and management objectives.
Stage 1 will establish the regional significance of the lake, its key
values and the current uses and conflicts contributing to both the values
and problems existing. It will also assess the likely future uses
and pressures for the lake and surrounding land. From this information,
the study team, with input from the community and key stakeholders, will
put forward a range of nature conservation and remediation measures and
management strategies and options.
Stage 2 of the project will involve the assessment of these options
to determine the desired future management measures for the lake and its
environs. These measures will need to address all issues raised during
the project and provide for the long-term control and management of the
area.
It is expected that a draft Management Plan will be ready for public
display and comment within the January 2000 school holiday period.
[ MHL Home
Page |
©
Copyright MHL ]
