Dry: The boat ramp at Greens Lake no longer meets the water’s edge. Photo: Steve Huntley
A draft plan for the future of Corop’s Greens Lake will be released this summer, amid concerns about the steadily decreasing water level.
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A popular camping and boating spot, the lake’s water level has been receding since it was decommissioned as a water storage facility in 2019.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is developing a plan for the lake, which will be released on the Engage Vic portal for community consultation.
“DELWP is working with relevant agencies and the Traditional Owners of Greens Lake to develop the plan,” a spokesperson said.
The plan will include the lake returning to a natural wetting and drying cycle, while an alternative camping option is being explored at the nearby Waranga Basin where boating activities will be maintained.
Corop resident Adrienne Hill has expressed her concerns about the lake to DELWP and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH), and encouraged others to do so too.
“I know other people have tried to get water in there and I’m probably going to come at loggerheads with it, but I just feel better if I have tried,” she said.
“It’s just such a shame.
“The birdlife on the lake is beautiful — one day there were about 20 brolgas around the area and they’re quite unique to Corop.
“It’s also a really popular camping site but there won’t be any water for people to put their boats out, and the tourists come into Rochester and Stanhope to shop for supplies.”
In February 2020, Goulburn-Murray Water unveiled a $200,000 shower and toilet facility at the lake — the result of more than 400 people voting for the project — and there was talk of other upgrades, including to the boat ramp.
But 18 months later, the lake is sitting at 17.9 per cent capacity and a five-knot speed limit is in place due to the low water level making it unsafe for high-speed boating.
The future use management plan for Greens Lake was requested by the acting Water Minister Richard Wynne in April 2021.
In October, State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed called for it to be released.
“I recently visited the lake, and it appears the once-healthy environment is still in decline,” she said.
“The wetland area has reduced in size and there were only a few wetland waterbirds present.
“It will certainly not be the hive of activity it once was yet again this summer, and perhaps it will never again offer the simple recreational, community, and social values we once enjoyed, if action is not taken soon.”
Concern: Greens Lake’s water level has been steadily decreasing since it was decommissioned as a storage facility in 2019. Photo: Steve Huntley
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