IT’S only eight minutes from the heart of Ballarat, but Lake Burrumbeet has become the forgotten jewel in the region’s crown.
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Despite being a world class area for wildlife and birdlife, the Friends of the Lake group and the traditional Indigenous owners believe for too long it has been left to rot, becoming a haven for antisocial behaviour and litter.
The Friends of the Lake Burrumbeet say it is time to start looking after one of the few natural wildernesses left in the western district.
“We want it to be a world class area for wildlife which is connected with birdlife,” Friends of Lake Burrumbeet spokeswoman Susan Moodie said.
“It is home to 13 species of bat, it used to have eel, there used to be platypus, there are still some turtles around.”
“We want to celebrate cultural diversity with joint signage and interpretations about what makes this place so unique in the world. That’s what draws tourists. That’s what people want to know.
“We need to say why it is important and the facilities need to reflect the beauty of the place.”
Ms Moodie said since the City of Ballarat handed the responsibility of the lake to the state, “the management has been shocking”.
“There have been three management plans, the first in 1986. None have been implemented,” she said.
“Ballarat ceded its responsibility, its bylaws and oversight to the state. The decline in services has been unfortunate for visitors and the ecology of this reserve.”
The problems at the lake were brought to stark realisation when anti-social behaviour at the campgrounds over the Australia Day long weekend turned a number of locals and campers away from the site.
Incidents including hooning, public drunkenness, extreme littering, and a dog attack all occurred in the space of a few days at the lake’s campgrounds.
A camper who spoke to The Courier after the weekend said dangerous behaviour and fighting ruined the trip.
“We went to bed at about 10pm and the at about 2am a car, don’t know how fast, flew along the dirt road and then there were two more cars possibly chasing it,” she said.
“There were kids asleep in tents and swags everywhere and I was really worried.”
She said she could hear people fighting all night and spent her night worried for her family’s safety.
“It was feral, there was a speed boat out on the water at 2am and I thought someone would get killed; I thought it was crazy,” she said.
Project officer for the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation Tammy Gilson said the entire site was “incredibly significant” for the Wathaurung people.
“There needs to be resources put into educating people and it should be done in a consultative approach between all parties,” Ms Gilson said.
“One of the biggest issues we face is the fact four wheel drives can essentially go where they like. I’d love to see areas that can not be accessed or out of bounds to protect the native vegetation.
“When it’s not respected, the cultural values are taken away.”
Ms Gilson said in the past, management plans had not gone anywhere.
“We’re always about having a relationship with all bodies involved,” she said.
“But it is such a big area, it’s not something that can be monitored every day.
“You look at something like Lake Beaufort, which isn’t nearly as big and it’s got signage throughout. Here there’s no signage, there’s no education. We need all the assistance we can get.”
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has managed Lake Burrumbeet in partnership with the City of Ballarat, the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation, Fisheries Victoria and the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority since 2013.
The City of Ballarat manages the north-eastern recreation node including the Lake Burrumbeet Caravan Park as a Committee of Management.
DELWP’s responsibilities include promoting natural values and recreation including protecting and maintaining the natural, cultural and historic values of the lake and enhance the balance between securing areas of environmental significance and appropriate recreational activities.
It is also in charge of encouraging ecological restoration of the reserve, managing grassy vegetation in the southern and western nodes to reduce fire fuel load and provide public amenity, manage pest plant and animals collaboratively with adjoining land managers and maintain safe access.
DELWP’s Acting Regional Manager Land and Built Environment Programs John Downs said a full-time project officer was in the process of being appointed to manage a formal review of the Lake Burrumbeet management.
“The project has not yet commenced, but it is hoped that the management plan will be completed in spring and will begin to guide the management of the Lake for the 2018/19 summer,” Mr Downs said.
“We commit to working with our partners, key stakeholders, including environmental groups and the community to ensure that all concerns and aspirations are considered in any alternatives developed.
“Consultations will be widely advertised at the time, to ensure representative opportunities.
Ms Moodie said she saw three important needs for the lake.
These include new governance which included one governing body for the lake, land and lake bed; the creation of an environmental sanctuary and restoration of ecosystems including aquatic habitats and water quality, native grasslands, wetlands and red gum woodlands and; a celebration of cultural heritage which preserve the archaeological, historical and geological features of interest.
General Manager of Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation Paul Davis said the management of the lake had been “haphazard”.
“Traditional owners would be interested in a discussion. The organisation would like to see a proper plan for it,” he said.
Mr Downs said recently installed signage had had an impact on lake users.
“We are really pleased with the positive reaction from lake users,” he said.
“The recent Labour Day long weekend saw 300 visitors on each of Saturday and Sunday largely adhering to signs and advice to take their rubbish home.
“When Forest Fire Management Victoria crews returned to check the site after the weekend, there was very little rubbish left to clear away.
“DELWP Compliance Officers reported only a few breaches of camp fire regulations, with just four verbal warnings given over the entire weekend for fires not being in pits, and only one camp fire left unattended.”
Mr Downs said poor behaviour should be reported to police if safe to do so. Littering should be reported to the EPA line on 1300 372 842.