The Lake Cathie Progress Association first put the proposal for modelling to Council in September 2005, which Council later included in its budget.

Improving the estuary would have significant environmental benefits for marine life, local and migratory birds and reduce the possibility of fish kills by increasing water depth and water.

One of the issues to be modelled is widening of the Kenwood Causeway, built in the early 1970’s, which has been found by a number of studies to be restricting flows between Lake Cathie and the Estuary. The Causeway is 110 metres long and has an opening for water flows of less than 10 metres.

Progress Association Secretary, Jack Jones, said the flow restriction was confirmed in studies done by Webb McKeown in 1995 which stated “The Bridge should be extended to at least three times its current configuration”

He said that the flow restriction was also confirmed in studies done by Creighton in 1983 and Umwelt in 2003. Webb McKeown established by modelling that widening the opening by a factor of four would increase tidal movement in and out of Lake Cathie by a factor of three. They concluded dredging would be necessary to produce a higher flow volume”.

Scenarios for the current Modelling are believed to include;

•Widening the Kenwood Causeway as recommended and modelled by Webb McKeown.

•Lake Innes connected as at present and closed to the Estuary . Closing would return Lake Innes to its original status as a fresh water lake.

•A channel dredged between Kenwood causeway and the Ocean Drive Bridge.

Mr Jones said once the computer model was built more scenarios can be simply added to original model outcomes.

“This has been a major project for the Association for many years and it’s good to see it moving forward. The Community has been waiting a long time for this as it will provide improved recreational opportunities,” he added.