Lake may reveal missing Dulcie

AN abandoned open-cut mine now filled with water could hold the key to solving the murder of Ipswich woman Dulcie Birt.

AN abandoned open-cut mine now filled with water could hold the key to solving the murder of Ipswich woman Dulcie Birt.

Police yesterday revealed that they planned to partially drain Green Lakes, a body of water situated in bushland about 1km south of Dulcie’s Riverview home.

Detective Inspector Mick Niland said police had conducted perimeter searches of the lake last month, but they have now received “good information” which has caused them to concentrate their efforts on Green Lakes again.

“There has only been limited diving up to now, mainly due to the depth,” Inspector Niland said.

“The water’s depth stands at somewhere between 33m and 38m and we want to partially drain it so that our police divers can work in a safe environment and get to the bottom of the lake.”

It is estimated that it will take seven to 10 days to pump the 200 million litres of water from Green Lakes, bringing it to a depth of about 18m.

The leftover water will be distributed to another dam about 300m away.

After team of four police divers will then explore the entire dam for Dulcie’s body.

Inspector Niland yesterday warned locals against swimming in the lake during the police investigation.

“There will be a crime scene guard here from today and the pumping of the water will start on Monday,” he said.

The underwater search is the second development in the murder case this week, with police seizing a second vehicle on Monday after searching a Goodna house.

Police will conduct forensic testing on the vehicle.

Dulcie Birt was last seen alive in Ipswich Road at Riverview about 8.30pm on October 21, 2009.

She was leaving her house in a 1998 green Mitsubishi Triton ute, which has also been seized by police.

Inspector Niland said members of the public had proven an excellent source of information since the murder investigation, codenamed Operation Hotel Solemn, began.

Originally published as Lake may reveal missing Dulcie