The quality and passion of the volunteers has been wonderful.
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The Revive Lake Cathie group hosted a meet and greet at Kenwood Road bridge on Monday afternoon, attracting over 60 adults and some 20 school-aged students.
President Danielle Maltman says the group aims to address some of the key issues affecting the lake's health and future.
"It was time that we all stepped up and try to find solutions that the community is happy with," she said.
"The real issue facing the lake is not what you see driving over the bridges. The real issue is what is facing us down south toward Houston Mitchell Drive. It is really barren down there.
"We just needed to get things moving and not have to wait for someone to do something for us.
"The group has a 75-strong volunteer base. They are now split into strategic pods to address, strategy, policy, infrastructure and historical issues to name a few.
"These pods will report back to the group in mid-April where their information will be qualified and quantified."
The finalised information will then be presented to a community meeting.
This will help ensure these completed priorities are in line with community expectation.
Read more: Fish kills in Lake Cathie
While not wanting to be drawn on specific problems relating to the lake, Ms Maltman acknowledged there were a number of issues at play in relation to the lake's health.
"We will certainly be talking with a few stakeholders," she said.
The group has broadly identified water quality as key to revitalising the lake as opposed to the protection of infrastructure.
"We want to get the marine life thriving, the bird life back and the Kenwood Road bridge issue addressed," she said.
"The group wants to achieve environmental and positive outcomes for the community and the wildlife.
"There has been an amazing reaction from community. We did not quite know what to expect (with the group forming) but it gave us a lot of confidence that we are likely to get a lot of traction and help revive the lake."
Vice president Sue East pinpointed the Kenwood Road bridge as "probably a massive issue". She said her forefathers would be turning in their graves if they could see what is happening to the lake.
"The bridge was washed out in 1978 and was rebuilt fairly quickly," she said.
"This is probably the reason we have this situation (at the moment).
"Coupled with that, when the lake is opened, sand is washed in and then drops down and the silt levels build up.
"This needs to be rectified and corrected.
"That (sand issue) had not really started until the late 1970s and early 80s," she said.
Lake Cathie resident and retired industrial engineer David Curry said the lake's condition "is basically a disgrace".
"Several things need to happen; the sand needs to be dredged, we need to address Kenwood Road bridge and also the future of Lake Innes itself," he said.
Several things need to happen; the sand needs to be dredged, we need to address Kenwood Road bridge and also the future of Lake Innes itself.
- David Curry
"Lake Innes was once considered one of the most pristine freshwater lakes along the coast.
"But when it was opened to the sea in 1933 it started getting salt in there and that has caused plenty of damage.
"Dredged sand could be used to help close off Lake Innes while we need to widen the bridge either by increasing the span or creating a number of smaller arches to increase water flow.
"Some of the sand in here (on the southern side of the bridge) also needs to be moved," he said.
President of Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Janette Hyde praised the grassroots approach to solving the water level and lake's health.
"Unless we (the community) activate this lake it is just not going to happen," Ms Hyde said.
"I think it is fantastic that, at short notice, this group can generate this level of interest and support. It is really fantastic.
"Tourism is a vital cog for the area and specifically Lake Cathie.
"Lake Cathie is such a popular place for family picnics, it is safe for the kids to swim and has plenty to offer. If we don't have the lake available and open, it is one less thing we have to offer (in tourism)."
Ms Hyde said she felt "devastated" to see the lake in such poor condition.
