Shoalhaven City Council issued a statement on Wednesday, November 28, advising council was preparing to open the lake if ‘trigger levels’ were reached. 

“Please be advised that council is monitoring the situation and acting in accordance with the EMP [environmental management plan],” the statement said. said. 

“It is possible that the lake trigger levels may be reached due to the amount of rainfall we are receiving.” 

Council will continue to monitor the lake level and review the situation throughout the day and provide necessary updates as required.

The lake’s entrance was closed in April and was last dredged in August 2016. 

In recent weeks, the Conjola community has been petitioning to have the lake dredged ahead of the summer tourism boom. 

More than 5,000 signatures have been added to a petition ‘Save our Lake Conjola’, since it was started by Janine French on November 2. 

Ms French, whose a member of the group Save Our Lake Conjola, said the lake’s closure would have a devastating impact on tourism operators this summer. It is a popular resource for people who boat, fish and swim.