A PROMISING plan to top up Lake Albert's notoriously low water levels is still in limbo causing some restlessness among residents.
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Wagga council made a request to the state government about seven months ago, which sought to recover a volume of council treated water, diverted into the Murrumbidgee River, to be used to refill the lake in early spring of each year.
Mayor Greg Conkey said he was "encouraged by the attitude" of Minister for Water Melinda Pavey at the council's latest meeting, however the process was taking longer than anticipated.
Although the council views its proposal as "a logical solution" to fix the lake's water woes, Cr Conkey said there were a few hurdles to overcome before an answer will be handed out.
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He said there were concerns over licensing issues and creating a precedent, but the council continues to push a strong message of Lake Albert being a "prize asset" in need of water to avoid the problems of the past.
Lake Albert Community Group member and local sailor Garry Williams said this latest proposal was "the only plan that gives consistency" for the lake that currently was about one metre deep.
However, the delay is causing "a lot of unnecessary anguish" for residents and businesses, he said.
"The city is suffering because it cannot hold sporting fixtures and numerous events on the lake," Mr Williams said.
"It is costing ... businesses staying afloat who are refashioning how they work and how they can use the lake.
"All the other options are soft options that rely on rainfall, but this way we can rely on an allocation of water."
Although he was disappointed that the city has not secured water for the lake, Mr Williams said there were promising improvement works happening around the foreshore in the meantime.
Wagga City Council had partnered with the Lake Albert Community Group to repair and extend the lake's six boat ramps and remove the vegetation regrowth.
Lake Albert resident Ron Lewington said it is "discouraging for everyone concerned" that the receding water levels had not been fixed because the lake is a real asset and should be bigger part of this city.
"I am confident that if we get the water required it will fix the water levels forever," he said.
The council's general manager Peter Thompson has another meeting in about four weeks time where they will explain in detail the proposition.