GREENRISE Lake Advisory Committee spokesperson Brendan Provis has welcomed a parliamentary inquiry into refilling the popular tourist attraction to boost recreational water-based activity.
Mr Provis was approached by the SA Recreational Fishing Advisory Council (RecFish) to add Greenrise Lake to a number of Limestone Coast locations requesting Commonwealth funding to refill key areas and enhance tourism in the region.
RecFish’s submission suggested refilling the lake with water to regenerate fish stocks and recreational activity.
Mr Provis said the submission also examined the lakes’ potential for long-term community benefit on social and economic grounds.
He said the committee was negotiating the re-use of appropriately treated wastewater to refill the lake.
“The lake used to be a semi-permanent water supply and had water in it for majority of years over the last century,” Mr Provis said.
“Although it is one of the less likely to be able to get permanent water in it, we included it because it is the only lake near Penola.”
Mr Provis said an operational water body near the town would provide income for the region through tourism.
The lake last held water in the late 1980’s and into the 1990’s, with the committee placing a pump and bore into the area with water to maintain the height and develop a habitat for native fish.
“It was a popular yabbying spot for years and we would love to see passive water recreational activities such as yabbying and fishing come back to the area as well as canoeing and kayaking,” Mr Provis said.
“However the type of activities to occur there depends on the type of water.
“If it is wastewater it would not be suitable for swimming but certainly for fishing and yabbying.
“If we do end up with a wetland that is not suitable for the more recreational activities such as fishing and boating, at least there will be a better facility for bird watching and plant life as well as native wildlife which would be a good addition.”
RecFish spokesperson Ian Fitzgerald said the peak body for recreational fish said empty lakes could be filled using environmental water allocations.
He said opening the lakes to the public would drive substantial economic returns and employment opportunities.
“People love to go kayaking, fishing and boating on lakes,” he said.
Mr Fitzgerald said the lakes had been dry for decades and it was an opportune time to explore rejuvenating these dried water bodies.
“If we do not start exploring this concept, we will never get there,” he said.
