Romantic twist at Black Swan Lake as supporters fight on with petition to save the bird paradise

MAX the resident swan at Black Swan Lake has become a father in a romantic tale with a twist. But it was after a hard-fought duel — which left him injured — to win the heart of a new lady.

MAX the resident swan at Black Swan Lake has become a father in a romantic tale with a twist.

Lake supporter Tammy Hogan said Max and his long-time partner Myrtle were confronted by another swan couple wanting to reside in the lake several months ago.

“Max turned up on his own without Myrtle to challenge the intruder to a duel,” Ms Hogan said.

“The fight went on for hours and both had injured legs. The poor young female was over near me, quite frightened.

Mother and new baby swan at Black Swan Lake

“Max won back the lake and, it seems, the heart of a new lady, Jezebel. They’ve had a baby and we’ve named him Tommy Sparkles.’’

MOORHEN FOUND BEHEADED AT BLACK SWAN LAKE

Mother and father with new baby swan at Black Swan Lake

Coast photographer Richard “Tommy” Campion took photographs of the baby swan and both he and lake regular “Sparky” Methven are the inspiration for its name.

Meanwhile, lake supporters are furious with area councillor Gary Baildon for refusing to accept a petition signed by 40,000 people who want to save the lake.

Lake supporters staging a protest outside the Evandale chambers for a full council meeting attempted to get Deputy Mayor Donna Gates to deliver a petition to the turf club, only to learn she had resigned as a club board director.

Swan and baby at Black Swan Lake

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Gold Coast branch president Sally Spain said

she then attempted to present a council petition to Cr Baildon but he refused to take it.

The petition asked the council to withdraw the licence granted to the turf club to use the ratepayer-owned land.

“We had thought with the departure of the show (from the turf club) and reports showing the lake to have a multitude of birds there, that Cr Baildon would be keen to lead the council to a sustainable decision,” Ms Spain said.

Cr Baildon has argued the lake area needed to be covered for carparking to help stage the annual Gold Coast Show, but after poor attendances at last year’s event the show society has decided to relocate this year’s show, announcing recently it would be held this year at the Broadwater Parklands, with equestrian events and the cattle and dog show at Southport’s Owen Park.

Councillor Dawn Crichlow speaks to Black Swan Lake protesters. Picture Glenn Hampson

Despite Cr Baildon’s reluctance, council meeting agendas allow councillors an opportunity to present petitions on issues in their divisions.

Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow, who has spoken to protesters outside the council meetings, advised them to lodge their petition instead with CEO Dale Dickson.

“I’ve told them to give it to the CEO,” Cr Crichlow said.

Cr Baildon, in a statement, said: “I have been defamed over this issue for a prolonged period of time and as such I will no longer engage with groups protesting against this decision.”

Ms Spain said independent property valuers were on site recently and told lake supporters they had been employed to value the property for the council.

“Is our lake worth much more than a dollar a year from the turf club which already gets $50,000 a year from ratepayers and more from the State Government?” Ms Spain said.

The Black Swan Lake protest group which remains outside city hall meetings. Photo: Lea Emery.

A new deed of agreement might not require the turf club to pay anything for the council-owned area, listing the licence fee at “the sum of $1 per annum — if demanded”.

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An exclusive report in February said the 2.85ha prime spot in the Bundall equine precinct, valued at between $6 million and $12 million, would at least require a $1 fee.

But a fresh deed drawn up following new planning applications by the turf club rejects the need for any fee, noting the lake would be used for “stormwater management, filling of licensed area, carparking and park”.