Black Swan Lake: Claims of ‘fake news’ after council vote
The massive cost of upgrading Black Swan Lake should be split between ratepayers and the Gold Coast Turf Club, says the area councillor.
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THE massive cost of upgrading Black Swan Lake should be split between ratepayers and the Gold Coast Turf Club, says the area councillor.
New Southport councillor Brooke Patterson also believes council must pay the annual maintenance bill – estimated to be $10,000 – and ensure residents gain access to the area controlled by the turf club.
Cr Patterson (pictured) has come under scrutiny on Facebook by some residents for the way she voted on the future of the lake at a full council meeting on Tuesday.
All the councillors present at the meeting were silent when a motion was put from a report, authored by council CEO Dale Dickson, recommending the lake be filled.
Councillors then agreed to stop the meeting as Cr Peter Young drafted a motion recommending the lake be saved. The vote was 6-5 in favour.
Cr Patterson was one of the councillors opposed.
During comments on her own Facebook page about her vote, Cr Patterson wrote: “I didn’t support the original motion to fill it in either. Wording around issues is delicate and important.
“I had concerns that it was another decision made on the run, without a properly thought-out resolution. The resolution, as presented, means ratepayers could be paying over $1m with the details left up to the CEO to determine.
“During the break for drafting the resolution, I proposed we include the amount we expect the turf club to contribute and define who is responsible for ongoing maintenance in the resolution.
“I believe the resolution should have been held off until we could have had a clear, explicit action plan. Given the details we have seen, it will cost a minimum of $600,000 and up to $1.5m. “I did not vote to fill it in – disappointing to see fake news posted about my actions, but I suppose I’ll just have to accept that in a public position.”
In February on Facebook, Cr Patterson told residents her position on the lake was “council covers the cost of maintaining the water quality so the lake can be enjoyed by wildlife and residents”.
“I will encourage the turf club to dig the lake deeper to enhance the lake’s health in the drier months. It is my understanding the turf club are already open to this at their own expense.”
The report prepared by Mr Dickson suggested the turf club had “formally advised it is not prepared to, or does not have the funds, to expend” on substantial capital works to create an acceptable water body.
But the report explains the turf club was prepared to make a one-off $125,000 contribution if the lake was filled in to develop another “green” asset.
The Bulletin understands councillors were told the turf club would consider spending $200,000 on filling in the lake and providing the new environmental project.
Cr Patterson told the Bulletin: “I do think council should be responsible for ongoing maintenance, not the turf club. The one advantage of public access is community groups want to keep it clean and that is great contribution. That wasn’t clarified in the resolution.”
UPDATE: BLACK Swan Lake has been saved.
The so-called “borrow pit” at Bundall will become a permanent water body.
A majority of councillors have backed a recommendation which confirms their ongoing support for Black Swan Lake. The six-year battle to save the lake has concluded.
Councillor Peter Young put forward the recommendation after more than one hour’s debate at full council today.
“I think we are all faced with a very difficult challenge here where was a very beautiful water body which was clearly not intended to become a habitat for a wild variety of wildlife,” he said.
“It has been recognised as a significant urban environmental asset by the community and valued by them, and fought for by them. Nothing is perfect about this solution before us.
“The objective is to try to achieve a compromise whereby we have the challenge of current circumstance which is clearly untenable.”
Council CEO Dale Dickson had told councillors a decision had to be made whether to either fill in the lake or turn it into a permanent and compliant water body.
The recommendation included:
* council restate its support for the borrow pit at Bundall.
* the city back an option which will create a permanent and compliant water body.
* that Mr Dickson talk to the Gold Coast Turf Club about an appropriate financial contribution.
An appropriate amount of funding would be included in a budget review. The solution will cost between $600,000 and $1.5 million.
The vote was 6-5 to retain the lake.
Mayor Tom Tate, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Councillor Hermann Vorster did not vote, removing themselves from the debate due to perceived conflicts of interests. Councillor Pauline Young was absent.
Those councillors who supported Cr Young were Gail O’Neill, Bob La Castra, Daphne McDonald, William Owen-Jones and Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden.
Those councillors against were Cameron Caldwell, Darren Taylor, Brooke Patterson, Glenn Tozer and Mark Hammel.
Cr Young thanked councillors for their genuine concern about the lake.
Councillor Glenn Tozer spoke against the recommendation, aware there were other “great” projects in the city deserved allocation of more than $1 million.
New Southport councillor Brooke Patterson agreed with Cr Tozer and argued a “viable solution” was not given of what the environmental asset could become.
She said her other concern was the Turf Club could not control the stormwater flow and nutrients from private stables near the lake.
Cr Bob La Castra speaking in support of Cr Young said it would be an abrogation of council’s responsibility to go back on a previous resolution to support the lake which was backed by super majority of councillors in the previous administration.
UPDATE: COUNCILLORS have rejected a recommendation to fill in Black Swan Lake, in a stunning decision at the council chambers.
After a one hour debate, a recommendation from council CEO Dale Dickson failed to get any backing.
Mr Dickson recommendation offered two potential courses of action:
* the Gold Coast Turf Club will fill the balance of the remaining 20 per cent of the lake at a cost of $125,000 enabling it to negotiate a new lease for development of its neighbouring Traintech facility.
* the council funds the required capital works, estimated to cost between $600,000 and $1.45 million to create a permanent water body with “an acceptable contribution from the Turf Club.
But no one backed the move.
Mayor Tom Tate, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Robina councillor Hermann Vorster left the chamber after declaring perceived conflict of interests.
Councillors at 4pm took a break from the meeting to allow Councillor Peter Young, who supports the lake remaining, to work on another recommendation.
EARLIER: A MAJORITY of councillors today are likely to vote to fill in Black Swan Lake, according to council insiders.
Environmental leaders are planning to meet outside the Bundall chambers just before the full council meeting starts at 1pm but sources suggest their six-year marathon battle to protect the so-called Bundall borrow pit is about to end.
Councillors at the full council meeting will vote on the following two options:
* the Gold Coast Turf Club will fill the balance of the remaining 20 per cent of the lake at a cost of $125,000 enabling it to negotiate a new lease for development of its neighbouring Traintech facility.
* the council funds the required capital works, estimated to cost between $600,000 and $1.45 million to create a permanent water body with “an acceptable contribution from the Turf Club”.
A report to councillors advised the Turf Club in a recent letter indicated “it is not prepared to, or does not have the funds, to expend” on filling in the lake.
A council insider told the Bulletin: “I think all the councillors are exhausted by this. They are over it. Many are now thinking it will be more worthy to fund other environmental matters.
“The Turf Club is going nowhere. It’s always going to be an equine precinct.”
Mayor Tom Tate in October last year was the only councillor to vote against retaining the remaining 20 per cent of the lake.
Councillor Bob La Castra supported by hinterland-based councillor Peter Young had put forward the recommendation to save the lake.
Those two senior councillors, if they lobby to save the lake, should get support this time around from Councillor Daphne McDonald and possibly some of the four new rookie councillors — councillors Darren Taylor, Mark Hammel, Brooke Patterson and Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden.
But that would result in only seven of the 15 votes. Council insiders tip a vote supporting the filling in of the lake could be as strong as 10-5.
But a decision to fill in the pit will only spark more logistical challenges for the council and the Turf Club.
A council officer in their report said: “There is understandable concern for, in particular, existing fauna on the borrow pit site — the approval requires appropriate measures to be undertaken to protect fauna species during the filling in of the site.”
EARLIER: BLACK Swan Lake is back from the dead and attracting bird life returning for Spring, according to volunteers cleaning up the water body behind the Bundall equine precinct.
The Team Black Swan Lake volunteers have made a last-minute plea to city councillors to save the so-called “borrow pit” before they meet at full council on Tuesday to vote on its future.
Team Black Swan Lake leader Lindy Donato has circulated photographs showing volunteers clearing choking vines from trees, mowing lawns and improving old rock pathways.
“The council trees that we pruned last year have come into full bloom this year and look magnificent,” Ms Donato said.
“A boundary has been hand built by volunteers to keep grass out of the native garden beds. The water quality has remained good for the past three years and is maintaining itself well.
“The surrounds are full of nests at the moment and by summer the area will be teeming with youngsters.”
Volunteers had witnessed the “the sky full of different bird species all coming home to roost”.
“Thirty turtles were seen yesterday sunbaking on the silt curtain. This little oasis has stood the test of time,” Ms Donato said.
“We at Team Black Swan Lake wish to thank all the councillors for their support and hope they will vote yes tomorrow to maintain the water quality so the Turf Club can move forward with preserving it.”
Environmentalists are threatening tougher action, prepared to relaunch their protest campaign if councillors back an officer’s recommendation that the Turf Club fills in the remaining 20 per cent of the lake.
Wildlife Preservation Society Gold Coast branch president Sally Spain has asked her members to not attend council due to COVID-19 restrictions but “text, phone and email councillors and Turf Club courteously requesting the remaining acre of lake be preserved”.
Council officers in a recent briefing to councillors said the Coast had 140 lakes within the city making up 9.1sqkm of surface of area, which equated 440 times greater than the surface area of Metricon Stadium.
Officers admitted managing the community’s expectation was huge, and they were using weevils to attack a salvinia weed in 60 to 80 lakes.
Robina-based councillor Hermann Vorster cautioned there was a need to push back against “overharvesting”.
“I think it critical that all of us as councillors underscore the point that we are not maintaining our lakes as swimming pools, even though that could be a community expectation, and that there is value in having some proportion of the lake covered by aquatic vegetation,” he said.
EARLIER: COUNCILLORS are being advised to vote to fill in Black Swan Lake because it has too much weed, will overheat and cause stormwater issues at great costs to ratepayers.
Council CEO Dale Dickson has authored a report which debated and the recommendations voted on at a full council meeting to start at 10am next Tuesday.
A report reveals there are two options — the Gold Coast Turf Club fills in the balance of the “borrow pit” at Bundall and contribute a one-off payment for a new environmental project, or council funds the works to establish a permanent water body.
The Turf Club could pay $125,000 to “open the door” for a new lease on the land.
But many councillors are likely to question what sort of “signature environmental project” can be created for that amount. A suggestion is a new wetland area.
The cost to retain a permanent water body is estimated to be between $600,000 and $1.45 million. Much of that spent will be spent on removing 1500 cubic metres of sediment.
If the sediment is clean, it can be treated onsite for $450,000. If contaminated, the sediment must be taken offsite at a cost of $1.3 million.
Long term water management and testing is estimated to cost about $40,000 with only 20 per cent of the lake remaining.
The report flags the following major concerns — overheating of the lake which could damage aquatic species, weed management, algae outbreaks and stormwater quality issues.
“If a permanent, acceptable water body is to be established, substantial capital works would be required at a cost that the Turf Club has formally advised is not prepared to, or does not have the funds, to expend,” the report said.
Councillors will be reminded that the city has 135 constructed lakes, 260km of navigable waterways, six declared fish habitat areas and internationally protected RAMSAR wetlands.
“The residual borrow pit is not one of these,” the report said.
“The report therefore proposes the Gold Coast Turf Club fill the balance area of the borrow pit in an environmentally controlled and responsible manner — and contribute financially, $125,000 to an acceptable, signature environmental project within the city.
“The Club has provided verbal support for this proposed solution.”
But there is “understandable concern” for what will happen with the existing fauna at the lake.
Approval of filling in the lake would require “appropriate measures” to protect the wildlife.
In late October, all councillors apart from Mayor Tom Tate supported a recommendation by Councillor Bob La Castra supported by Councillor Peter Young to save the lake.
It is not known yet how the council recommendation may change or what the voting pattern will be when councillors meet again.
EARLIER: COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision which essentially will determine the fate of Black Swan Lake, seeing the filling in of what remains of the “borrow pit”.
Councillors began Tuesday’s full council meeting at 10am and were continuing to debate “other business” items until 7pm.
Mayor Tom Tate suggested council defer the four last items until a meeting next Tuesday starting at 1pm.
The last item was on the “borrow pit”. After a marathon session, he was supported by all councillors.
The options for the future of the water body — they include either keeping and maintaining it, or filling it in and developing another nearby wetland, are expected to spark wide debate.
PREVIOUSLY: THE Gold Coast Turf Club has told council it could not fund the maintenance of Black Swan Lake.
A letter to council CEO Dale Dickson from Turf Club CEO Steve Lines and chairman Brett Cook outlines two options for the future of Bundall “borrow pit”.
Councillors at a full council meeting starting at 10am Tuesday will decide the fate of the Bundall “borrow pit”.
A handful of lake supporters with placards stood outside the council administration building.
The debate and vote is likely to occur in a few hours — the item is last on a long agenda.
Councillors had previously made a decision to retain the water body which the Turf Club said conflicted with development approval of the site.
“Councillors believe the asset will be a well-maintained wetland or lake in good condition and aesthetical to the public,” the Turf Club chiefs told Mr Dickson.
“However, the current site is not reflective of the ideology and its 40-year history has never been designed or maintained this level, even during years under council’s maintenance.”
The Turf Club had requested a reduction in rent and an extension of the lease to its Traintech Building for another 30 years — issues which had to be resolved.
The club revealed there were two options with the first to turn the site into a suitable wetland or lake at a cost of up to $1.5 million.
The second, which was the club’s preference, was to dewater the site and or “pump the water over the greenlands around Traintech to expedite the process”.
“Should the council maintain the position to retain the water body, they would need to provide financial assistance to support the required redevelopment works, as well as ongoing maintenance requirements,” the Turf Club chiefs said.
EARLIER: BLACK Swan Lake supporters say they will begin protesting again outside City Council today following a report the “borrow pit” will be filled.
Wildlife Preservation Society Gold Coast president Sally Spain said supporters would start gathering about 8am in the lead-up to the full council meeting starting at 10am at the Bundall Evandale chambers.
The Bulletin in an exclusive report earlier this month said council, in a shock move, could require the Gold Coast Turf Club to fill in the remaining 20 per cent of the lake in a deal which would see a new wetland area created.
Senior bureaucrats did not believe the management of what remains of the lake was a realistic option.
Ms Spain has written to all councillors reminding them that a previous resolution by a majority supported retaining the last section of the “borrow pit”.
“Once this was an excavated site, like many on the Coast. Then for decades, a self sustaining constructed lake, like many on the Coast, monitored at times by council officers,” she said.
“Now it is a smaller lake, but quite as sizeable as many which grace public and private community spaces.
“It would, especially if benefited by some enlargement, via excavation, with correct management, remain as an ideal site for shallow feeding birds, a sanctuary and visual amenity and riverway protection facility, a role so long performed sustainably and with little asset management performed.”
Bureaucrats in reports on the water quality of the lake said it was difficult to work out where deposited horse manure and other waste was entering the “borrow pit”.
Sources suggest it will cost between $600,000 and up to $1.45 million for the borrow pit to operate as a permanent lake.
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Councillors are to be briefed on a number of proposals which include options which enable the Gold Coast Turf Club to avoid the upkeep of Black Swan Lake but help provide funding to another environmental venture.
One option would be a new rental deal for the Turf Club in the equine precinct which could cover capital works to create a long term “wetland area”.
Some Black Swan Lake carers are supportive of a new option while others, like Tammy Hogan, on social media have said “it doesn’t need to be fixed” and the lake has “coped well with the nutrients form the stable”.
Mayor Tom Tate last week declined to comment on the move to fill in the lake.
“It’s disappointing that the borrow pit project is being aired in the public realm before we have had time to consider any new information as a Council,” Cr Tate said.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further until Council considers all factors before us.”
EARLIER: THE council is moving to again fill in Black Swan Lake at Bundall reigniting a potential environmental war.
The Bulletin can reveal the council administration is providing advice to councillors and senior officers about the so-called “borrow pit” which suggests the water body cannot be fixed under the current agreement with the Gold Coast Turf Club by late June next year.
COUNCILLORS SAVE BLACK SWAN LAKE
Sources understand the Turf Club has advised council that it will not be able to fund the amount of heavy works needed to ensure the lake reaches the proper water quality standards.
Council is now exploring other options because officers believe the unfilled section of the lake – about 20 per cent is left and looked after by hard working volunteers – will during summer see more weeds and stormwater problems.
The view of senior council officers is unless an alternative can be found the existing lake will remain shallow and almost certainly resemble a pile of mud for long periods of time.
Councillors are yet to debate the latest development and the administration’s planned course of action will stun the defenders of lake among the city’s political wing.
The five-year battle for the lake was thought to be won in October last year with a stunning council vote to retain the 20 per cent that remains intact.
A super majority of councillors backed the deal to ensure the remaining part of the lake stays after a marathon debate of more than two hours behind closed doors.
TURF CLUB REACTION TO SAVING THE LAKE
Only Mayor Tom Tate voted against the recommendation put forward by Councillor Bob La Castra and supported by Hinterland-based councillor Peter Young.
The deal was secured after Cr William Owen-Jones proposed a series of amendments which supported both the Gold Coast Turf Club developing its equine precinct and the Show Society gaining much-needed funding where it has an administrative base.
Cr Owen-Jones then backed Cr La Castra’s bid to change part of the recommendation, which would protect the lake rather than it being filled by June 2021.
“Thank you very much for that show of support. Thank you. It’s not very often that I’m speechless, but I’m speechless,” Cr La Castra told colleagues, at the meeting.
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Residents were standing and applauding in the gallery, and they could be heard cheering as they left Evandale.
Cr Peter Young supported Cr La Castra saying “there is a genuine desire from people to protect this area”.
The only councillors who opposed Cr La Castra moving his motion were Mayor Tate, Paul Taylor and Gary Baildon. Cr Taylor and Cr Baildon have since retired. In the final vote, only Cr Tate voted against.
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