Black Swan Lake saga: Meet Max the swan and his partner living on borrowed time at Gold Coast’s freshwater lake

MEET Max the black swan, the oldest resident caught in one of the biggest environmental fights staged on the Glitter Strip. He and his lifelong partner Myrtle are the victims of the Black Swan Lake saga.

MEET Max the Black Swan, the oldest resident caught in one of the biggest environmental fights staged on the Glitter Strip.

About 7am yesterday, before more than 50 protesters arrived at what the city council calls the Bundall “borrow pit”, Max had left his partner Myrtle at their breeding area on the banks of the lake and was waiting beside some construction fencing.

Around him tradies were starting concrete mixers for building new stables and the noise of grinders was starting, along the passing clip-clop of horses being taken on their morning walk by trainers.

THE TRUTH ABOUT BLACK SWAN LAKE

A stream of protesters walked past him but he was not moving as his mate, a swamphen called Hopalong George, sidestepped the horses.

Max the swan at Black Swan Lake in Bundall. Picture: Jerad Williams

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The untold romance about this waterway tucked away west of the Magic Millions complex behind the Gold Coast Turf Club is the connection between stable hands and the birds.

Many residents are at war with the council, which gave the turf club permission to fill in the lake.

But for those working around the precinct, the environment could not be more harmonious.

“When they (Max and Myrtle) have babies, they’re so comfortable with us (and bring them here),” Mandy, a stablehand, told a resident.

“They’re very fussy though (about their food). They will only eat the finest food that we’ve got.”

WHAT COUNCILLORS WERE TOLD ABOUT BLACK SWAN LAKE

Benowa resident Robina Bibby, who began visiting the lake after reading media reports, was surprised not only to discover more than 50 species of birds but heartened by the stable staff’s relationship with the wildlife.

“Max has been here forever. The stable staff have named him. He’s guarded his territory. They are supposed to be monogamous,” she said.

Max with his mates at Black Swan Lake. Picture: Jerad Williams

Residents are concerned about the fate of Hopalong George, given his wonky leg.

“Hopalong George is very happy here. He could be taken away to be assisted, or done away with,” Ms Bibby said.

About 60 protesters gathered at the lake yesterday as residents expected work would start on filling in what council calls a “borrow pit”.

Aware that traps had been set in recent nights, residents began arriving about 7am carrying placards and met behind construction fencing.

Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast and Hinterland branch president Sally Spain briefly addressed the residents, thanking them for keeping vigil. Many have had sleepless nights over the past week.

VULNERABLE JAPANESE SNIPE FOUND AT BLACK SWAN LAKE

Several reports in the Gold Coast Bulletin have outlined public concern at the decision by a majority of councillors to allow the turf club to fill in the 2.7ha lake, which has been home to more than 50 species of birds.

Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast and Hinterland Branch branch president Sally Spain talking to the protesters yesterday at Black Swan Lake. Picture: Jerad Williams

Councillors were told the lake would become a grassed area to be used for overflow parking for major events like the Gold Coast Show and as a training area for horses from nearby stables.

But the Gold Coast Show Society is not guaranteed to hold its event this year.

Recent independent testing showed the lake did have high levels of nutrients, but could not be considered toxic.

Ms Spain said residents were hoping the Federal Department of Environment and Heritage would intervene at the last minute, but it seemed reluctant to step in.

“We’re hoping there is a change in that,” she said.

Ms Spain rejected the suggestion from some councillors that the birds would migrate to nearby canals.

“This is a freshwater area. We do know that it has (a history of being) a wetland area,” she said.