Shoalhaven City Council commenced operations to prepare a pilot channel for the manual opening of the lake.

Over Wednesday, December 19 and Thursday, December 20, the differ will prepare a channel before the expected lake opening on Friday, December 21 at the ebb tide. 

The channel was started on the northern side of the spit due to the presence of shorebirds’ breeding grounds. 

On Tuesday, Shoalhaven City Council acting environmental service manager Shane Pickering said council was working the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to find solutions to the current situation at the lake.

“It has been deemed that whilst the lake is not at optimum levels for an opening it is deemed that the current level will still allow for an opening to occur,” Mr Pickering said.

“Optimum scour may not occur and if extensive rainfall does not follow, the lake may only be open for a short period of time (weeks/month).

“We request that residents and visitors stay clear of the works to open the lake, for their safety and for the safety of shorebirds that are also within this vicinity whilst council staff undertake works.”