New Lake Cathie group to save the lake

A spokesperson from the group said pelicans are leaving the lake as their food source and natural environment is dying.

"Dead fish, crabs, prawns, yabbies can be found lying all along the lake's foreshore to Lake Innes and are screaming for advocates to step up and take action to save them," the spokesperson said. 

"The time for our community to step up is now."

Sue East has been coming to the Lake Cathie area since 1955 and said she is extremely disappointed with the way the lake's condition has been handled. She said she has never seen the lake in its current state before. 

She said a group of people, which should include experts is needed to address the problem. 

Sue said Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is putting in place actions to increase development of a new toilet block and a skate park at the lake, when it should be prioritising the health of the lake instead. 

"It's an absolute travesty that council is developing around the lake, while the lake itself is in dire distress and dying," she said. 

"This is the priority for the lake and something needs to be done."

Last week long-term Lake Cathie resident Bill Marchment called for a wall to keep the lake permanently open to the ocean.

Sue agrees with Bill's opinion and said there has to be a long term solution to address the lake's condition and keep it pristine for future generations to enjoy. 

Sue would like the group to be made up of about 10 members, which includes experts and people who know about the area's history. 

Sue is asking why the Lake Cathie Progress Association hasn’t been on the front foot with the issue. 

"I don’t know if this new group will make a difference but we will certainly try," she said. 

For more information people can contact the Lake Cathie Facebook Page @lakecathieHQ through messenger. 

Volunteer submissions will be collated and contact made for those willing to stand up and take on the task. 

"Each one of us can make a difference and save the lake," the group's spokesperson said. 

"Our community’s time is now for solidarity in the face of saving the future of our lake."

Submissions for committee membership close on Friday, March 8. 

Meanwhile a spokesperson from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) says the current conditions at Lake Cathie are likely to continue. 

"Poor water quality in our coastal lakes is likely to continue, without significant rainfall," she said. 

The statement comes after NSW DPI Fisheries staff attended the site on Wednesday, February 27 and observed up to 1000 dead fish along a section of Lake Cathie. The area was isolated from the main body of the lake. 

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has no plans to open Lake Cathie to the ocean despite the trigger point being reached for an artificial opening.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council director Melissa Watkins said the Lake Cathie Opening Strategy contains several opening triggers. 

“One such trigger is when the water level is less than 0.2m AHD and salinity is greater than 40 ppt,” she said. 

“The current water level is 0.05m AHD and salinity is between 40 and 42 ppt, therefore a lake opening trigger has been reached.”

However the lake will not be opened by council due to several risks associated with the action.  

Ms Watkins said the risks include low lake water levels which limit the success of an excavated channel remaining open, the likelihood of excessive sand build up in the recently dredged area and potential risk for red weed to enter and become stuck in the lake should it naturally close quickly.

Ms Watkins said another risk is the likelihood of insufficient flushing of the lake and system shock when very cold ocean water meets warm lake water.

“This is likely to have adverse effects on the ecology of the lake,” she said.