Forest Lake residents seek council action on water quality after ‘reek’

A pervasive “reek” has convinced angry residents of a suburb in Brisbane’s south to take action. Some claim they “can hardly walk around because of the smell”.

Forest Lake locals listen as Michael McNamara voices his concerns about water quality issues that have left the area with a foul smell. PICTURE: AAP/Renae Droop

A PERVASIVE “reek” in Forest Lake convinced about 180 people to attend a public protest meeting on Saturday afternoon demanding more action from Brisbane City Council to solve the lake’s environmental problems.

Speakers at the meeting raised issues including pervasive and unpleasant odours from the lake, blue-green algae blooms and failure by the council to adequately address an overpopulation of ibis.

Environmental Engineer Helen Raya addresses the crowd. PICTURE: AAP/Renae Droop

“The lake has deteriorated, the stagnant areas of the lake reek,” resident Michael McNamara said.

Resident Trevor Doneman blames ongoing lack of adequate maintenance for the poor lake environment.

“I live opposite the lake, but not right on the lake, and this morning the smell in the front part of my house was strong,” Mr Doneman said on Monday.

“You can hardly walk around the lake because of the smell.

“I blame the council for not adequately maintaining the lake since it was taken over from Delfin.”

Forest Lake stinks, according to locals.

The meeting, called by the Forest Lake Action Group, was addressed by environmental engineer Helen Raya and Brisbane City Councillor Charles Strunk (Forest Lake).

Cr Strunk said the council had undertaken a major clearance of salvinia weed, had a program in place to reduce ibis numbers and was trialling hi-tech solutions to reduce the effect of blue-green algae in the lake.

Marta Blaszak, Regina Brauer, Environmental engineer Helen Raya and Malcolm Campbell, front, are founding members of the Lake Action Group fighting to have water quality problems at Forest Lake rectified. PICTURE: AAP/Renae Droop

“There is no silver bullet for this problem, but the council is addressing the problems at Forest Lake,” Cr Strunk said.

“I have suggested the council use better systems to improve the stormwater inflow into the lake.”

Mr McNamara said overcrowding of ibis contributed to extremely foul smells.

Resident Marta Blaszak said the meeting organised by the Forest Lake Action Group had been called in response to major concerns about the health of the lake.

“People are living with their doors and windows closed to reduce the smell,” Ms Blaszak said.

“Once the salvinia weed was removed the lake basically cooked.”

Ms Raya told the meeting there were several possible solutions but a thorough investigation was required.

Ms Blaszak said a further frustration for residents was that the council had not released its water testing results, unlike other councils. “Residents are really angry with what’s happening here,” she said.

The Brisbane City Council did not respond to a request for water testing results but said it was aware of ibis and water issues at Forest Lake.

“Currently, there is a small blue-green algae bloom on the surface,” a council spokesman said.

“Several visits have been carried out and the broader areas of the lake are not substantially impacted.

“Previously council proposed a fountain to circulate the water, however, this plan was not supported by the councillor or community, and consequently did not proceed.”

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