Importantly, the region's lakes are looking more healthy by the day _ Lake Learmonth and Lake Burrumbeet hold significant water for the first time in years and the level of Ballarat's pride and joy Lake Wendouree is inching higher by the day.

The extraordinary end to winter, with more than 160mm of rain falling in August alone, has not only served to significantly improve water levels but also to support moves by Ballarat City Council and the State Government to return Lake Wendouree to its former glory.

While this newspaper has strongly advocated action on filling the lake and has praised authorities for taking action, the purpose of a visit by Premier John Brumby to Ballarat yesterday provoked a fair does of irony.

Just as the government and city council's piping projects are fully operational, the weather gods rain down on the city in ways not seen for more than 100 years.

It comes just a week after it was announced flows to the lake from Gong Gong Reservoir would be stopped, after the agreed allocation was reached, and the council said water levels in the lake were improving faster than expected.

Mr Brumby is obviously keen to reinforce the message that his government has listened to community views on filling the lake and has acted. Turning on the $1.3 million pipe from the Ballarat West bore to ensure further supplies flow into the lake supports that message.

On the surface, turning off the Gong pipe and turning on the Ballarat West tap is a contradiction which provides ammunition to those who have criticised the government for inadequate and costly efforts to revive the lake.

Had the government acted earlier _ or with greater adequacy _ it would not be competing with the weather gods in taking credit for the improved lake water levels.

The solace that can be taken is that the measures put in place by the council and government should ensure Lake Wendouree never returns to the dire predicament of recent years _ no matter how much, or little, rain falls.