The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will host a public consultation on Engage Victoria from today and are calling for feedback from the community to contribute to the development of the final Greens Lake Action Plan.
Greens Lake is significant to the local community as well as recreational visitors and the consultation provides an opportunity for the community to consider and comment on the draft Greens Lake Action Plan.
The draft action plan outlines the proposed future management approach to Greens Lake, which was officially decommissioned as an irrigation storage in 2019.
Under the proposed management plan recreational activities will continue to be an important part of managing the lake, along with environmental and cultural values.
Activities such as kayaking, birdwatching, camping and walking will be central to the future use of Greens Lake with boating able to continue under the proposal – subject to conditions at the lake.
Greens Lake was decommissioned as an irrigation storage in 2019, as part of the $2 billion Connections Project, Australia’s largest irrigation modernisation project, that was completed on time and on budget.
The decommissioning counted for 8 gigalitres of water savings towards Victoria’s obligations under the Murray Darling Basin Plan – which potentially could otherwise have been met by Commonwealth buy backs from farmers.
Greens Lake is also part of a significant cultural landscape for the Taungurung people – and the management plan seeks to reflect this significance.
The draft Greens Lake Action Plan also takes into account nearby Waranga Basin as a popular destination for many Greens Lake visitors. The Victorian Government is supporting Goulburn Murray Water as it establishes a free camping ground so more campers can enjoy Waranga Basin and the excellent on-water boating opportunities there.
The draft Green Lake Action Plan consultation will end on 31 January, 2022, you can have your say by reviewing the draft action plan and completing a submission on the Engage Vic website.
