Third dredge put on Lake Wendouree

MORE than 19,000 cubic metres of Lake Wendouree weed have been removed since July 4.But Ballarat City councillor Judy Verlin said it was still an “ongoing challenge” to keep the weed under control.“The ribbon weed is proving a challenge,” Cr Verlin said.“It has grown three metres in six weeks but, as it is harvested, it will be gradually reduced and the milfoil (weed) will take over.”Cr Verlin said 139 hectares of the lake had already been harvested.“There is an enormous amount of work being done, the lake looks great.”Council had hoped the lake’s weed harvesting program would be finished by September 1 in time for spring aquatic activity.However, it was held up after a council contract was awarded to Brisbane-based contractor Aquatic Weed Harvester, which did not have a required Victorian licence.A third dredge also took to the water this week to make sure rowing course upgrade works are finished in time for the rowing season, including next year’s 100th Head of the Lake.The dredge began work in the lake’s centre, while the other two dredges are working from the start and finish of the 2000 metre rowing course.Cr Verlin said the dredging contractors were working 12-hour days, five days a week.The new dredge is similar in size to the second one, which has been averaging about 30 metres a week since it began in August.“The second and third dredges use a cutting head specifically designed to work in a clay environment and our expectation is that work will be complete early in the new year.”Cr Verlin said the work would not impact on lake aquatic activities.