Lake Conjola’s entrance was opened to the sea following two days of digging approved by Shoalhaven City Council.
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People came and went, watching the water flow gradually increase speed with the outgoing tide after 10am on Friday morning. The opening of the lake is on the northern side of the of spit, due to the nesting shorebirds in the area.
The Conjola Community Association have asked Shoalhaven City Council to accept its recently tabled Revised Lake Conjola Entrance Management Policy for a long-term, ongoing managed entrance.
In a statement to Shoalhaven City Council general manager Russ Pigg, Conjola Community Association president Robyn Kerves requested “Council Staff take heed of past mistakes and arrange for additional plant and equipment to be on site, so as to provide an adequately dimensioned pilot channel in the remaining time available”.
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Councillor Patricia White told WIN News there were “huge issues’ at the lake. Ms White shared residents’ concerns of potential flooding of homes and a caravan park alongside the lake when the lake is closed.
“Who wants to wake up in the middle of the night knowing that their properties are flooded? Nobody does,” she said.
Janine 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.
Council also increased water testing at various sites in November, following claims of poor water quality.
A council spokesperson said it now tests water quality at seven sites on the southern shore of the lake.
“Test results, from May until now, have consistently shown that the water quality is suitable for swimming,” a council spokesperson said.