Lake Numurkah strategic planning
Published on 11 June 2021
The future of Lake Numurkah has been included in Moira Shire Council’s strategic planning.
Mayor Libro Mustica said as a demonstration of this commitment, in this year’s budget an allocation of $50,000 was made to further develop a concept plan for the much-loved lake.
“This concept plan, which will include community consultation, is still in development,” Cr Mustica said.
“Council has engaged professional consultants Spiire to work on a landscape master plan.
“This master plan will involve several phases – an overall review of all aspects of the lake and undertake survey work; draft a landscape master plan; undertake community consultation; and finalise a landscape master plan.”
Cr Mustica said Spiire was familiar with the Lake Numurkah issues as they prepared the initial 2011 Concept Plan.
“This high level concept plan described a modified and improved lake and wetland system proposing ephemeral areas, channels, and deep pools,” he said.
“However, that plan did not examine water supply in much detail and a lot has changed in the past decade with so much water being removed from production.
“The Landscape Master Plan is to be prepared for the lake in its entirety, with supporting water engineering modelling that will be suitable for consultation with Council, the community, and the private owners of the majority of the lake.
“The plan will embody the project principles including retaining a portion of the lake for ornamental/recreational purposes; use integrated water management for water treatment; incorporate wetlands into the design; and provide a stormwater management solution as Numurkah develops to the north.
“We do know that many members of the community just want the lake full of water year-round.
“To achieve that, Council would need to buy an additional water allocation and be in active competition with our farmers for water.
“I can’t imagine any Council competing with its farmers for water when we all know it is the lifeblood of the Moira economy.”
Cr Mustica said community consultation will commence in coming months and encourages all members of the Numurkah community and surrounds to have their say.