A giant new weed harvester three times the size of the council's existing machine could soon be ploughing its way across Lake Wendouree.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A tender has just closed for a second weed harvesting machine to add to the lake's cleaning toolkit.
The existing harvester, nicknamed Chopper Weed, has been operating since 2012 but does not have enough capacity to get through all of the unwanted aquatic plants.
The fact the water quality is improving every year means weeds are growing quicker and the task of harvesting it and keeping the lake usable for aquatic activity is ever increasing
- Terry Demeo, City of Ballarat Council
It can gather one tonne a day, while the new machine should be able to get through three and a half times that amount.
The council's director of infrastructure and the environment Terry Demeo said there were more weeds to cut due to the lake's greater purity.
"The fact the water quality is improving every year means weeds are growing quicker and the task of harvesting it and keeping the lake usable for aquatic activity is ever increasing," he said in a written statement.
Some have argued that the weeds should have been removed when the lake ran dry in 2008.
However, Mr Demeo said that the weeds were an important part of the lake, helping to cleanse the water and providing a feeding ground for swans and other wildlife. "We need to manage it," he said.
In the busier months, the council has had to draft a contractor to help keep the weeds in check.
According to Mr Demeo, the addition of a second harvester would be the most cost-effective solution, and allow the council to cut the weeds more often. It would also reduce the use of a contractor.
Annual maintenance of the lake cost $1.385 million according to the council's 2017 Lake Wendouree masterplan.
Those pitching for business were asked to make suggestions about the construction of the machine that could save more money, including using lighter building material to improve its efficiency.
The result of the tender is due to be announced in the next month or so with the construction of the harvester expected to take from four to six months.
This means the machine could be in action by the end of the summer holidays.
The results of a tender for a new weed harvester contractor to help prepare the lake for events and at busy times should also be announced soon.
Have you signed up to The Courier's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
