The first meeting of the focus group charged with the future management of Lake Curalo was held in Eden on Friday, with a wide range of issues canvassed including the possibility of dredging the waterway and improving access for residents of the BUPA aged care facility.
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But the biggest issue surrounding Lake Curalo remains its smell – noticeable whenever the water level is low – with ongoing complaints being received from nearby residents.
Cr Sharon Tapscott, who is Bega Valley Shire Council's representative on the focus group, said public education was the key to understanding the smell, which had more to do with recent dry conditions than water quality.
“The lake is actually very healthy,” Cr Tapscott said, adding that it was the home of marine life including fish and jellyfish, as well as an array of birdlife.
The smell would not be an issue if the lake was not surrounded by housing, she said.
Claims that the smell emanated from spilled sewage were unfounded, she said.
“The smell is natural … people can’t blame council,” she said.
The focus group comprises representatives from a number of NSW government agencies, including environment and heritage, fisheries and Crown Land, as well as council and the community.
Community member Amanda Midlam said the consultation process had only just started and input had to be "realistic" otherwise they stood no chance of being implemented.
Ms Midlam said management of the waterway required a fine balance to be struck between community and environmental issues.
"There have been calls, for example, for Lake Curalo to be dredged to facilitate sailing and swimming, but it's simply not feasible," Ms Midlam said.
The lake was home to protected seagrass which would preclude dredging, she said.
Insufficient parking around the lake was also identified as an issue. Other suggestions included bird hides for nature lovers.
Council's coastal management officer, Kyran Crane, said the focus group had been set up with an advisory role for the review of the Curalo Lake Estuary Management Plan.
Mr Crane said the group would meet three times throughout the course of the project, and although expressions of interest to be on the focus groups have closed, there were still opportunities for people to get involved.
A project website has been set up at begavalley.wrl.unsw.edu.au and people were encouraged to get in touch through the ‘have your say’ section. They can also sign up to receive regular updates.
A community drop-in session is planned for later this year to discuss issues and gauge feedback.
