Improvement works start at Lake Albert

Wagga Wagga City Council is partnering with Lake Albert Community Group to complete a number of projects at the waterway which started in earnest today (15 May) and will continue for the next three weeks.

Vegetation growth at the northern and southern ends of the lake has been approved for removal by the State Government whilst extensions and repairs to the six boat ramps around the lake were also given the go-ahead at Council's 11 May Ordinary Meeting.

Work on the boat ramps started on Friday 15 May and will take about two weeks to complete. The vegetation removal is scheduled to start on Monday 18 May and is expected to be completed in 2-3 weeks.

Council Strategic Asset Planner Ben Creighton said the partnership with the community group will result in some important works being completed while water levels remain low.

Mr Creighton said the community group, which includes an engineer and professional concreter, will project manage and deliver the boat ramp upgrades.

Council will contribute $19,158 of the estimated $22,158 material costs and waive the waste management centre fees associated with removing any spoil from the site.

The Wagga Wagga Sailing Club will contribute the remaining $3,000 of materials funding with the machinery and labour, estimated at $15,155, to be contributed by the community group and local businesses.

“Council is always keen to work together with community groups to achieve greater outcomes with available funding,” Mr Creighton said.

“This is another example of Council and the community getting best value for their dollar by partnering with the user groups to complete major works. We continue to achieve results at McDonald’s Park under a similar arrangement with Wagga Rugby League.”

Mr Creighton said the removal of regrowth vegetation has been approved by the Department of Primary Industries-Fisheries which required a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and permit to proceed.

It is proposed to remove regrowth saplings up to two metres high, using machinery to clear the vegetation below ground level to ensure that no tree stubs are left submerged in the water which could create a hazard when the lake refills.

The estimated cost of completing the vegetation removal works future works is $21,500 (excluding disposal costs).

CAPTION

Wagga City Council’s John Conlan (far left) discusses the improvement works at Lake Albert with (from left) Wagga Sailing Club’s Garry Williams, and Wagga Boat Club’s Mick Henderson and Bruce Dodds.