Sophie Conlon
A Crater Lakes recovery plan has been endorsed by the City of Mount Gambier for community consultation.
About 11.3 hectares of pine trees we destroyed in the Crater Lakes when a fire swept through the area in January 2022.
Since then council has been working to recover the land, and in February 2024 they engaged landscape architect company Oxigen to develop a Bushfire Rehabilitation Plan to assist in the rehabilitation.
General manager city infrastructure Barbara Cernovskis said council and Oxigen staff would now gather feedback from surrounding landowners, residents and property owners, the First Nations community, key users and staff involved in the site’s management.
“This process will include information sessions and workshops and we are particularly interested in the thoughts of surrounding residents and stakeholders such as Tenison Woods College, Blue Lake Golf Links, Blue Lake Holiday Park, Lakes Apartments, the Mountain Bike Association and our First Nations community,” she said.
During the July council meeting mayor Lynette Martin said the area was important and needed to be cared for.
“As we are all aware the crater lakes precinct is very important to our residents and visitors and is a place of significance for our First Nation peoples,” she said.
“We know how important the area is for walkers and runners as well as mountain bikers and other recreational users.
“The terrain is difficult we have to take care when removing the trees so as to prevent landslide, there is habitat to care for and the whole operation has to be dealt with safely.”
Since the fire, most pine trees in the area had died or become unsafe and it was reported 960 would need to be removed.
Ms Cernovskis said limbs and treetops were falling and some trees were uprooting.
“These trees need to be removed as they pose a significant safety hazard to the public and are causing environmental issues such as erosion and difficulties with plant management and the eradication of pest weeds in the area,” she said.
“We also need to ensure the embankment can be stabilised in preparation for revegetation to restore the area and ensure its longevity.”
The plan outlines the pines would be felled and removed then replaced with plant and tree seed or tube stock native to the area such as Kangaroo Grass, Coast Flax Lily, Tall Bluebell and Desert Stringybark.
Consideration would also be given to species are resilient to planned burning, with the practice recommended as an “ideal technique” for the landscape’s longevity.
It proposes work would be undertaken between April and September, with implementation dependant on council funding and resources.
Feedback on the Bushfire Rehabilitation Plan can be provided via the Have Your Say Mount Gambier Website or in writing to council.
Council will also host public information sessions and a First Nations information workshop during the consultation period.
A final report would be presented to council to consider feedback received
This would include reforestation and replanting considerations regarding the fire affected Blue Gum trees and would also outline a rehabilitation timeframe as part of the second stage of the project.
