Robe Council investigating ways to mitigate Lake Charra’s offensive odour

It’s the lake that every local and regular visitors know all too well ... but is there anything anyone can actually do about it?

A notorious ‘stinky lake’ located on the outskirts of one of SA’s most popular tourist towns is the subject of a council investigation following community concerns over decreasing water levels and offensive odour.

Robe Council said was investigating potential solutions to address the notorious odour that radiates from Lake Charra, next to Lakeside Tourist Park.

Council boss Nat Traeger said staff were “of the opinion that the lack of rain and subsequent loss of water flow is the most obvious cause for the lake drying up”.

“Our investigation includes looking at any pumping infrastructure available in the vicinity of the lake, and the appropriateness of the water licences to ensure they are current and any action undertaken (if any) is within environmental approvals,” Ms Traeger said.

Members of the Robe community are in a stink over Lake Charra's persistent odour, with the local council sayin it’s investigating the matter. Picture: Facebook

Anyone who has ever travelled to the coastal getaway of Robe, SA, is likely familiar with the not-so-delightful odour that radiates from Lake Charra.

While the little lake may look innocuous, its distinctive stench packs a punch.

Community members have been calling on council to do something about the water line and odour.

The council said in a Facebook post the lake was a natural wetland with “an ecosystem and sediment composition that will at different times produce an odour, as most wetlands can”.

“There is no proven or recommended way to mitigate how and when odour release occurs. Fluctuating water levels is a natural occurrence,” it wrote.

“Topping the lake up with another water source, aside from being impractical due to the volume required, transfer time, and cost, would interrupt the natural cycle of the wetland, and likely create an increased release of odour later.”

This post was met with criticism with some people calling the council “ill informed”, prompting a response by Ms Traeger/.

She thanked the community for its feedback and insights into the history of Lake Chara but said it would be appreciated if public comments could remain respectful.

“The current council team (council members and staff) are not ill informed, we are enquiring and committed to sustainable, viable and realistic outcomes,” Ms Traeger said.

“Since receiving some helpful feedback on this particular matter, we’ve immediately commenced looking at our water licenses to check their currency and capacity.

“Environmental regulations are ever changing and penalties for undertaking unapproved activities can be considerable.

“If we can find an affordable and approved solution, we will provide an update in due course.”