GREENS Lake has been a popular and affordable water playground for a number of years yet is facing a difficult and uncertain future having been decommissioned as an irrigation storage reserve.
Independent Member for Shepparton District, Suzanna Sheed, is set to meet with the Acting Water Minister, the Honourable Richard Wynne, to urge urgent action to restore its previous water lever and avoid the potential of a major fish-kill.
A meeting has been scheduled for this week and Ms Sheed will share the concerns of local fishing groups of the need for more water to be allocated to the lake.
“Local fishing groups are contacting me regularly updating me on the state of the lake and their genuine fears of a major fish kill if water is not allocated to the lake quickly,” Ms Sheed said.
“Fishing groups have been told that the Arthur Rylah Institute has been commissioned to investigate the fish numbers and that it is working on the lake to determine the water quality, depth and temperature of the lake.
“The fact that the facilities at Greens Lake were recently upgraded, together with restocking of fish in recent years, are all strong arguments for Greens Lake to be retained as an important recreational, camping and fishing asset for our local community.”
There are important environmental considerations given Greens Lake is a popular sanctuary for waterbirds including pelicans, brolgas, swans and many other bird species.
“I hope that the Minister will give the issue a full and fair hearing and act immediately after our meeting,” Ms Sheed said.
