Mayor Libro Mustica said the concept plan was still being developed.
“Council has engaged professional consultants Spiire to work on a landscape master plan,” he said.
“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 the business had 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.”
Cr Mustica said members of the community wanted 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,” he said.
“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 start in coming months and encouraged all members of the Numurkah community and surrounds to have their say.
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