NEWS DESK
Algae tracking no bore HAZARDOUS blue green algae in the Quiet Lakes at Patterson Lakes could become more prevalent if a plan by Melbourne Water to ease back monitoring goes ahead. Kingston Council has asked Environment Minister Lisa Neville to step in and force the state government owned water authority to continue weekly measurements of blue green algae levels in the Quiet Lakes. The land locked Quiet Lakes include Lake Legana, Lake Illawong and Lake Carramar. The lakes are linked to each other and the Patterson River and Kananook Creek by pumps and drains. The defunct Dandenong Valley Authority agreed to maintain the Patterson Lakes waterways and charge residents a precept rate. In recent years, as housing has increased in the area, council and Melbourne Water have debated who should pick up maintenance costs. Melbourne Water has advised council it intends to stop weekly inspections and only measure blue green algae levels during the summer months. The water authority also intends to no longer turn on a bore, operating between October and March, which increases water flow to help prevent blue green algae. Cr Tamsin Bearsley said the algae can be hazardous to residents and is particularly dangerous for wildlife and pets. “Prior to the bore, there were regular appearances of blue green algae … we really need to protect Monitoring of algae by Melbourne Water will begin in December each
Music day out: Former Taxi Ride singer Jason Singh performs at this year’s Kingston Harvest Festival at Roy Dore Reserve. Picture: Gary Sissons
year but Cr Bearsley says this means algae outbreaks earlier in the year will not be detected until then. “Who wants to live next to toxic water?” Cr Bearsley asked. Kingston councillors have unanimously backed an approach to the Environment Minister to try to force Melbourne Water to switch the bore back on and continue weekly inspections. Melbourne Water waterways acting regional manager Jarrod Mitchell said the water authority has been working with Quiet Lakes residents to develop different options for pumping bore water through the lakes and the bore water trial ran for three consecutive summers and cost $289,000, paid for by Melbourne Water from Melbourne residents’ waterways and drainage charge. “Future use of the bore for flushing to achieve swimmable quality water is a possible option under a user-pays system, provided Quiet Lakes residents wish to do this,” he said. “Quiet Lakes residents previously funded the weekly year-round water quality testing in the lakes. However, following recommendations of the Patterson Lakes Independent Review, activities previously funded by Patterson Lakes residents are now being funded by either Melbourne Water, Kingston Council, Parks Victoria or residents themselves depending on the activity.” Groundwater was flushed into the three lakes at a rate of at least 1.5 million litres per day during the three-year bore water trial. Neil Walker
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Harvest Fest views sought THE building of the Carrum Family and Children’s Centre at Roy Dore Reserve means the annual Harvest Festival cannot be held at the venue next year. Because of this, organisers are seeking community input, through a survey, on how the event should be delivered in 2016. The Harvest Festival – in its ninth year – brings a little country music to Kingston with bluegrass and rockabilly artists at the weekend event held in May. This year’s line-up included Australian rockers Boom Crash Opera, alt-country’s Raised by Eagles and blues singer Fiona Boyes and The Fortune Tellers. The much-loved event – a great day out for all age groups – is the final event in Kingston Council’s Season of Festivals. The survey asks whether respondents attended this year’s Harvest Festival, whether they have attended the festival in previous years and how they normally travel to the festival. Respondents are asked what they like most about the festival and what they would like to see improved. Council is also asking whether next year’s Harvest Festival should not go ahead until a return to the Roy Dore Reserve in 2017 after the Family and Children’s Centre is finished.
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Each month the Chelsea-Mordialloc-Mentone News will run a Community Events page, where your school or organisation can promote upcoming events, fund raisers, social events, etc. at no charge. This page is sponsored by the Aspendale Gardens Community Bank and listings are completely free. Listing should include event name, date, time & address.
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Community Events
PO Box 588, Hastings 3915 or email your listing to communityevents@mpnews.com.au PAGE 6
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 1 July 2015
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