![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/08\/IMG_7755-300x200.jpg\")
\u201cThere are also many trees with fallen branches. More maintenance is needed to clean up and check for the potential incidents for fallen branches.\u201d<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat director of infrastructure and environment Bridget Wetherall said she was aware of the concerns, and municipal officers will be proactive to ensure the lake remains a \u201cwonderful asset.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur parks and maintenance teams continue to monitor Lake Esmond and our other outdoor spaces regularly for safety and maintenance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two picnic settings at Lake Esmond along Larter Street are being replaced this financial year, and we look forward to providing the new tables for the community, which will match the settings at the play-space.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur maintenance teams will remove the ivy from any native trees, and this will occur in the coming month. The retaining wall will be inspected, and the necessary repairs will be undertaken.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pine steps are unfortunately prone to natural erosion due to their material, and individual steps have been replaced over time since their installation. Our maintenance teams will continue to monitor them for erosion, replace as required and look for other options to address the natural erosion.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the steps are a direct link between the lake foreshore and upper park, she said visitors can also use the two other accessible paths.<\/p>\n While on a walk around the lake, local resident Graham Gooding said the precinct deserves a different, broad approach from the municipality.<\/p>\n \u201cThere needs to be a new plan for the lake and the people who use the park for recreation,\u201d he said. \u201cIt also needs more of a lower tree story.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Sharyn had some criticisms, she emphasised the positives. She said the south-east section of the reserve, which includes a playground, is kept in \u201cimmaculate\u201d condition.<\/p>\n She suggested, much like at Lake Wendouree, that dog waste bag dispensers could be installed by paths.<\/p>\n The City\u2019s facilities team recently worked on the lake\u2019s jetty, installing new handrails, and will soon replace decking boards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" COMMUNITY concerns have been raised regarding the City of Ballarat\u2019s maintenance of Lake Esmond\u2019s surrounds. The steps to the upper park are eroded, picnic tables are damaged and falling apart with metal spikes sticking out of them, wooden edging and retaining walls are disintegrating, and ivy is taking over native trees. A big, uprooted tree […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/08\/IMG_7762-300x200.jpg\")