10-year plan for Lake Burrumbeet underway

IMPROVEMENT works around Lake Burrumbeet are set to begin in March.

The work will focus on two areas and are based off the results of a community consultation process undertaken last year.

“Improvements to Lake Burrumbeet’s eastern and southern shores reflect feedback gathered from visitors, neighbours, interest groups and our wider community,” said Tony English, Grampians deputy chief fire officer for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

“We hope to provide visitors with an improved experience with new facilities, improved access and interpretation signage, while we also protect the important environmental and cultural values.

“Master plans outlining how the improvements will be phased in over a ten-year period have been designed to ensure the lake reserve is safe, accessible and inclusive for all visitors.”

March this year will see stage one of the works underway, with a focus on protecting the eastern shore from issues created by vehicles accessing the area.

Capital works in the other area of focus, the southern shore, will be directed to improving the recreational amenities.

They’ll include adding picnic and barbecue equipment, an all-abilities accessible toilet block near the entry to the area, as well as better signage.

The area’s river red gums will also be better protected.

“Lake Burrumbeet is a great resource on our doorstep, particularly for our expanding Lucas communities and is popular for a range of recreational activities, including walking, camping, boating and fishing,” Mr English said.

“We recognise the lake is extremely important to the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and has significant cultural heritage and natural values and we are working closely with the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation while planning improvements.”

Organisations working with DELWP on the 10-year project include the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation, City of Ballarat, Friends of Lake Burrumbeet, Parks Victoria, Victorian Fisheries Authority, Central Highlands Water, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, the CFA, Federation University and the Lake Burrumbeet Ski Club.

In 2018 DELWP began a community consultation process on improvements to the lake called Lake Burrumbeet’s Future Project.

That involved department officers spending time in the are on Australia Day 2019 canvasing users on what they’d like to see improved.