Idalia resident lays blame on council for letting waterway deteriorate
An Idalia woman has taken aim at the council for letting a once natural spring become a “disgrace” and the “dumping ground for the suburb”.
Townsville
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An Idalia woman has taken aim at the council for letting a once natural spring become a “disgrace” and the “dumping ground for the suburb”.
Val Kerr and her husband Chris moved to Idalia about ten years ago, with the couple purchasing a property on Lakeshore Court.
Mrs Kerr said the pond behind her property was a major drawcard to moving into the area.
“The lakes were beautiful. When we first moved here the whole place was full of birds, pelicans and lilies,” Mrs Kerr said.
“It used to be a natural spring before the man made ponds were built around it. “When Townsville was smaller people used to come from all over and swim here. That’s how clean it was, even when there were cattle yards here.
“The natural spring is now clogged up full of rubbish, it’s not a spring anymore. It’s the dumping ground for the suburb.”
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Mrs Kerr said the lake had disintegrated to the point of “disgrace”.
“Now it’s a sh-thole. It’s dreadful,” she said.
“The birds don’t even want to come here. It’s a sad place.”
The 62-year-old has laid the blame squarely at the feet of the council, believing they had ignored her pleas for change for years.
She said four drains ran into the pond, all without rubbish catchments to keep out unwanted items.
“They can put plants around it all they want but it doesn’t hide the fact it’s a disgrace now.
“In the past the council would say it hadn’t been passed on to them and the developer would say it had been passed on. They were both passing the responsibility.
“No one seems to know what’s happening with it and where it’s going.
“It just seems like a big joke. The pond has been forgotten,” she said.
A spokesman for Townsville City Council said the water quality is actively monitored.
“Townsville City Council officers actively monitor water quality in the lakes and take action to address any issues identified.”
Originally published as Idalia resident lays blame on council for letting waterway deteriorate