Sad sight as lake dries up

By Ben Higgins
Updated November 7 2012 - 12:30pm, first published January 31 2010 - 10:24pm
WHERE’S THE WATER? Lake Albert children (from left) Chloe Davey, 7, Charlie Davey, 3, Izac Davey, 5, and Ryan Nicholl, 10, look out across Lake Albert over the weekend as dead fish litter the area.  Picture: Glenn Henderson
WHERE’S THE WATER? Lake Albert children (from left) Chloe Davey, 7, Charlie Davey, 3, Izac Davey, 5, and Ryan Nicholl, 10, look out across Lake Albert over the weekend as dead fish litter the area. Picture: Glenn Henderson

LAKE Albert continues to wait, drying up while people continue to talk.After an extremely dry January, the lake is starting to look similar to a scene from 1944 when it almost dried up.Wagga City Council is awaiting the Lake Albert draft management plan, which will be presented to either the February or March meeting, before any work to secure water can begin. The management plan outlines several initiatives including storm water drains and clearing the surrounding creeks, however those works are still some way off. As the lake water continues to recede, residents are now fearing an explosion of mosquitoes and other insects.Lake Albert resident and founder of the Friends of the Lake group, Robert Lazzarini said the once-iconic lake was now a sad sight. "It has receded very quickly and looks a total disgrace," he said. "We can all understand there has been no rain but in recent years when there has been good rain, very little of it has gone into the lake and that is where the problem lies."Now that the fish are dying, there is a real threat of mosquitoes breeding in the water and with two schools nearby and Ross River fever breakouts, that situation is a danger."While the major priority is rain, Mr Lazzarini and residents surrounding Lake Albert believe more can be done by council.Wagga mayor Kerry Pascoe said council was still working towards a solution for the lake."Council is very concerned at the condition of the lake as we expect it to be almost dry by the end of March,'' Councillor Pascoe said. "We will continue to make every effort to fill the lake ... there are projects being developed, however they will have to compete for funding like any other."Cr Pascoe said having the lake dry up would allow council staff to properly clean exposed debris and provide a solid base for water retention.

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