“My partner’s family has a boat and I personally love going for a bike ride around the lake when it doesn’t stink,” he said.

“I just love being out here; it’s such a beautiful and peaceful spot.”

Mr O’Hare said the lake would be a greater advantage to the area if Wagga City Council could make progress on the long-standing issues with toxic Blue Green Algae.

Lake Albert is also under threat from low water levels.

“(The lake) should be bringing tourism here,” he said.

Back in January 2019, then 12-year-old Mr O’Hare wrote a letter to The Daily Advertiser about the lake and was subsequently interviewed for a story.

“It’s looking worse everyday. It used to be so beautiful, but now it’s just a sludge bucket,” Mr O’Hare said at the time.

“The condition of it is feral, council hasn’t done anything.”

A council spokesperson said Wagga City was working with the state government for another approach to raise water levels and improve the lake’s health.

“Planning is underway for more permanent solutions for Lake Albert after the Tatton Drain project was sidelined by state government regulations,” the spokesperson said.

“Council has had preliminary discussions with Riverina Water and (Wagga MP) Dr Joe McGirr on a permanent solution for water levels.

“Funding from all levels of government would be required for the project to proceed.”

The record high temperatures and heatwaves in January have also helped keep algae levels down while the council tests five pontoons that are attempting to suppress growth.

The pontoons are designed to create hostile chemical environments for algae by emitting ultrasonic noise.

“Council’s 12-month Envirosonic ultrasound trial to control blue green algae started on December 14 and needs to be active for six or more weeks before any effect can be measured,” a council spokesperson said.

“Council has started to collect results and will continue to monitor this data in its early stages.

“There has been some level of reduction in algae strains however levels remain high which is consistent with recent heatwave conditions and temperatures about 40 degrees.”

Mr O’Hare said he accepted the council was trying to combat the algae issues with ultrasound pontoons but called for further action.

“The lake needs to be drained and dug out (to stop algae),” he said.

While you’re with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to you inbox each day at 6am from the Daily Advertiser? To make sure you’re up to date with all the Wagga news sign up here.