‘Toxic’ algae claims at Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head shut down by Ballina Shire Council

Northern NSW residents have questioned a suspect-looking “toxic” algae bloom lapping at the banks of popular Lake Ainsworth – but council say there’s nothing to fear.

Lennox Head residents have questioned a suspect-looking “toxic” algae bloom lapping at the banks of popular Lake Ainsworth – but council say there is nothing to fear.

Resident Erica Taylor took to Facebook at the weekend to share a photo of the lake, which had turned from its usual serene tea-tree stained colour to a putrid green.

Ms Taylor wrote a caption saying the lake had a “toxic algae bloom”. But some residents shut that suggestion down.

Algae in Lake Ainsworth, NSW. Picture: Supplied / Facebook

“Why do people get so shocked? It happens every GODDAMN season,” Maralyn Middle wrote.

Jemma Sommerville added: “It’s always like this, even 20+ years ago.”

User Matt Cairney said it was a “natural occurrence”, calling it an “organic algae bloom”.

Saxon Call said it was “still more hygienic than Byron Bay public toilets”.

Tim Oliver asked: “Isn’t this fairly normal after rain? Algae are ancient organisms, they’ve been here for 2 billion years doing their thing.”

But Neil Thomas called the state of the lake a “shame”.

Lake Ainsworth has often been closed to swimmers in the past due to blue-green algae outbreaks. Picture: News Corp.

“It WAS such a beautiful lake, we spent many happy days/weeks there in our younger days. It’s a victim of urban and tourist development,” he claimed.

According to the Ballina Shire Council website, the lake’s current blue green algae status is safe.

“Green Alert as of 16 January 2024. No restrictions on recreational use. Council will continue to monitor weekly, however care should be taken to avoid any slicks or scums should they develop,” the website reads.

The lake is one of northern NSW most popular natural attractions. Picture: News Corp.

However, Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader urged visitors to be cautious.

“Despite the recent Green Alert status, we advise the public to exercise caution,” Cr Cadwallader said.

“Ballina Shire Council monitors Lake Ainsworth regularly, particularly during the summer months, following the guidelines of the National Health and Medical Research Council.

“Following each test, we issue weekly email updates to the community, advising them to avoid slicks and scums when present.”

The CSIRO stats blue-green algae blooms can cause harmful human health effects and fish kills, among other impacts.

On recent inspection, Cr Cadwallader said crews had noticed “some algae slick” at the lake.

“We are taking further steps by collecting additional samples for analysis today,” she said.

Earlier this month, Lennox Heads Greens Councillor Kiri Dicker took to Facebook to warn people about the lake, but said a water quality test curbed her concerns.

“Myself and my daughter both got gastro over NYE and we were sure it was from the lake (Ainsworth) as we’d been swimming in there every day,” she wrote.

“I asked council to enact a water quality test and it turns out that the lake was fine and is unlikely the source of the gastro that has been going around.

“Apologies to anyone who has been avoiding the lake based on anything I said!”

The lake has been shut down by blue green algae outbreaks many times, with Ballina Shire Council previously issuing amber alerts and erecting signage for swimmers to steer clear of the water.