Avid water users and a crowd of spectators gathered at Lake Cathie to witness the lake opening to the ocean on Wednesday, July 11. 

Resident Bob Jolly has lived on Bundella Avenue since 2002 but has been coming to Lake Cathie since 1975. 

He believes the dredging works took place in the wrong location at the Lake Cathie Foreshore Reserve and the lake had also been opened on the wrong side. 

Bob said the water current flows from north to south majority of the time. He said as the opening happened on the south side, it will be impacted by the currents. 

He said erosion will become an issue, as big seas will wash away the sand banks. 

Paul Gasnier has been a resident at Lake Cathie for over 40 years and has witnessed at least five openings. 

He said the lake will fill in again. 

“You can’t beat nature,” he said. 

Paul said the best opening is one which occurs naturally. 

The July 11 opening created a strong current which attracted both surfers and body boarders to the location. 

An excavator was used to clear a path to the ocean further south than the previous channel, in an effort to protect the recently replenished foreshore from high seas and tidal surges.

Lifeguards were present to ensure the safety of onlookers.

Recent rainfall led to the early artificial opening of Lake Cathie to the ocean, after it was originally scheduled to take place at the end of July. 

The decision came after a number of residents expressed their concerns about the water level impact on surrounding properties at the location. 

The lake’s water level had risen beyond the 1.6 metre opening trigger point.

Council director Melissa Watkins said the safety of residents and protecting nearby homes and infrastructure from minor flooding was of the highest priority.

“The great news for our community is that the lake will be open during the school holidays, and with the foreshore now replenished, this beautiful area will continue to be a popular destination for locals and visitors,” she said.

“While the opening of the lake is exciting, the force of the water rushing out can be unpredictable and we encourage everyone to keep well away from the channel and to exercise common sense.”