The great divide over Black Swan Lake as council welcomes end of the borrow pit

Councillor hails arrival of workers to complete the filling in of controversial Black Swan Lake, but others are not so happy.

A worker keeping an eye on trucks passing through for work at Black Swan Lake.

BLACK Swan Lake is about to be filled in igniting a final environmental war between council and a protest group of residents.

As trucks and bulldozers arrived yesterday at what council calls “the borrow pit” behind the Bundall equine centre, lake supporters gathered sending out photographs on social media community pages.

Work starting on the fill at Black Swan Lake.

Veteran councillor Gary Baildon, who was receiving texts from some residents, declined to support their stand, happy the saga was reaching an end.

“I don’t know what the hold up was. I’m pleased it will be filled in. This will be the end of the matter,” Cr Baildon said.

“It should have been filled in years ago.”

Work was expected to start again on filling the lake after the council approved a new development plan in April for the Gold Coast Turf Club.

Bulldozers at Black Swan Lake.

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New planning documents had revealed the council — under delegated authority through the city development branch — approved a fresh application for earthworks and stormwater facilities at the Bundall site.

Residents sent texts to Cr Baildon after trucks began arriving early morning at the lake, seeking more information.

“They’ve got fences up,” a resident said. “Trucks are filling up with dirt. There’s a few council blokes around and spotter catcher. It’s difficult to get information.”

The trucks have returned to Black Swan Lake as the fill-in begins at the so-called Gold Coast borrow pit.

Black Swan Lake group spokesperson Tammy Hogan said she would discuss with legal advisers what potential options were left to stop the turf club filling in the lake.

Turf Club chairman Brett Cook said a lot of false and misleading information had been spread about the project from people with their own political hidden agendas.

“The GCTC have always acted in the best interests of our members and the local industry participants and the plans to fill the borrow pit remained unchanged,” Mr Cook said.

“We are operating within all Federal, State and local government guidelines and will be filling the borrow pit under the approvals given.

“When complete it will be a grassed area for all the public to enjoy, and the local horse population to utilise as an exercise area to walk and pick grass in the afternoons.”

The project contractors had complied with all approval requirements to protect wildlife and the works would be “fast tracked” because hot weather was causing bad water quality.

Cr Baildon said the council decision could only be reversed by a notice of motion and he would not support one.

Residents arrive to protest at Black Swan Lake on the Gold Coast.

“It’s just crazy. There’s 127 lakes in this city, seven river systems and more canals than any country in the world,” he said.

“There are swans in canals all over the city. It’s not as if this is the only piece of water in the city.”

Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast president Sally Spain was furious with Cr Baildon who had supported the lake being filled in to allow the Gold Coast Show Society to continue at the turf club.

Trucks arrive at Black Swan Lake on the Gold Coast.

The Show Society has since been moved to a temporary site at the Broadwater Parklands prompting lake supporters to question the council vote.

“This is a very important secluded site (for wildlife),” Ms Spain said. “Wildlife Queensland has had the support of the RSPCA, GECKO and other groups. The birds here are being shunted off.”