Patchy path for Lake Learmonth

A PORTION of Lake Learmonth’s walking path has been cordoned off due to erosion caused by incoming waves.

Learmonth resident Cathy Hughes came across the damage in September during one of her regular walks at the lake.

“I thought that’s a bit degraded, the way the waves are crashing on the foreshore,” she said. “Within a week or so, it got even worse and that’s when the council put up the barrier.

“I got an update the other day from them saying there’s engineers working on a better solution to reinforce the retaining wall so it doesn’t happen again.

“There are people that walk the lake every single day. It’s very important it gets fixed in a timely manner because it’s eroded most of the path up to the grass line.”

The City of Ballarat was notified of the damage in early September, with debris cleared and dislodged sleepers replaced where possible.

Director of infrastructure and environment Bridget Wetherall said the municipality is working on a permanent solution.

“Due to the undermining of the retaining wall being reported through the mid stages of 2023, the City of Ballarat had already engaged a structural consultant to carry out investigations of the site conditions and provide recommendations for future works to strengthen the wall,” she said.

“This report was completed at the start of September 2023 just as the severe weather event hit. We will now work to repair the recently damaged sections before further works are considered, to address the requirements along the entire length of the wall.

“The severe weather conditions in September 2023 are the most significant impacts to the granite sand path in recent memory.”

Prior to retaining walls being installed for the footpaths, the lake had a beach-like foreshore.

Rectification works are expected to be undertaken in early 2024.