Thanks for your participation in Stage One

Thank you to everyone who participated in recent months, we reached over 11,500 people, and participants provided us with 844 inputs through feedback forms, our online 'Gather' tool and other means.

Below is a summary of who we heard from and what you told us.

The full community engagement report forms part of the Agenda for the 14 June 2022 Council Meeting (Refer Item 6.45, Page 179). Alternatively view the documents in the "Document library" on the Project Home page.


Who did we hear from?

We heard from local residents with strong connections to Freshwater Lake.

What did we hear?

As a conversation starter we provided four options to consider. Two of the options involved reducing the size of the lake or having no lake. Significantly, 97% of those engaged want to keep Freshwater Lake in its current form or in its current form with improvements.

Given the strong positive support to retain Freshwater Lake, Council revised the scope of the Freshwater Lake Review at the 11 April 2022 Council Meeting to focus on the following two options:

  1. Maintain the lake in its current form and continue with existing maintenance and management practices.
  2. Maintain the lake in its current form with improvements to permanently enhance lake performance and quality, operations, and management.

Other options, involving reducing the size and shape of the lake, or having no lake, are no longer part of investigations.

What our community value

In addition to wanting to retain Freshwater Lake you told us a lot about what you value about Freshwater Lake and Freshwater Lake Reserve.

Common themes identified by our community

In summary, four main themes have been identified from Stage One community feedback.
  • Plan for the future

    • Freshwater Lake is a valuable open space
    • Maintain the duckponds for the long-term
    • Deserve a higher level of maintenance
    • Maintain its beauty and importance for generations
  • Improve water quality

    • Improve water quality (filtration, aeration, circulation)
    • Manage future works well and minimise impacts and disruption to plants, birds and people
  • Enhance biodiversity

    • Create more of a wetland and hub of biodiversity
    • Plant more trees, shrubs, understorey & flowering plants
    • Attract more birds and native fish
    • Preserve the peaceful, tranquil, natural setting
    • Foster volunteers who want to help care for the ponds
    • Introduce education and interpretation opportunities
  • Activate the place

    • Celebrate the place, celebrate the history of West Lakes
    • Enhance accessibility – paths, toilet facilities, parking
    • Activate the space, promote use and events
    • Encourage mobile food vendors – such as a coffee van and ice-cream van