The shock final chapter for Black Swan Lake after a four year environmental war

Black Swan Lake has been the city’s most torrid environmental battle with just one small section of the so-called borrow spit remaining. But it could be saved. Here’s how.

THE last remaining section of Black Swan Lake can be saved.

The southwest section of the Bundall “borrow pit” can be kept free of fill after private talks between residents, councillors, council officers and Gold Coast Turf Club officials.

But the plan will need to be ticked off by all councillors at a full council meeting next Tuesday.

MAX THE SWAN BECOMES A FATHER MONTHS BEFORE LAKE FILLED IN

Artist impression of the future of Black Swan Lake at Bundall, sent to Turf Club members in a newsletter.

“There have been ongoing discussions,” a council source said. “It is possible to keep the existing part, which is about 20 per cent of the original lake, intact.”

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After an ugly three-year battle about the area being turned into a car park, the compromise represents a win-win for residents, the turf club and the council.

The section of lake left will take run-off and the stormwater from the stable area, and if the nutrient flow is policed, provide a sanctuary for swans.

NO WORSE TIME TO FILL IN BLACK SWAN LAKE

Black Swan Lake

Council will need to determine if the turf club needs to make a fresh application, and which entity pays the minor management costs.

The final result will be similar to an artist’s impression drawn up by the turf club and sent to members which shows a grassed area where horses are walked and people can sit and feed birdlife.

“There have been long-term concerns about the water quality of the borrow pit from the council and local residents, that is why the existing approval is to fill in the entire site to eliminate that problem,” Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Brett Cook said.

RESIDENT SWAN MAX RETURNS TO BLACK SWAN LAKE

The original Black Swan Lake-Bundall at Bundall. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

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“If there are other potential solutions for that issue now we are happy to consider those, but any changes now would need to be commercially viable for the GCTC and work in with our plans for looking after the sustainability of the local racing industry.

“Our plans to have this for a grassed open area to exercise the horses and let them pick grass in the afternoon is unchanged, and the public will be welcome.

“Also the council need to be commended as their original decision has helped fix a major problem and saved ratepayers a fortune in the process.”

Wildlife Preservation Society Gold Coast branch president Sally Spain said: “There is a stormwater pipe there. If they’re keeping a pool (of water), it should be as much as they’re doing now.

“The birds are still using it. They don’t want the brackish canal (next door). The birds want to stay. They are still voting with their feet.”