Why it’s the worst time to fill in Black Swan Lake according to RSPCA

One of the biggest environmental battles is being played out on the Gold Coast with the filling of Black Swan Lake. Now an animal welfare advocate says timing of the filling is ‘the worst’.

A mother and chick at Black Swan Lake.

THE RSPCA says there is no worse time to fill in Black Swan Lake.

The Bulletin yesterday predicted after bulldozers and trucks arrived at the so-called “borrow pit” a final environmental war would erupt between lake supporters and council.

RSCA Queensland today joined on the side of protesting residents predicting the issue could see some councillors extinct as sitting representatives at the next election.

Life for a family at Black Swan Lake.

GREAT DIVIDE OVER BLACK SWAN LAKE AS COUNCIL WELCOMES END OF PIT

The Gold Coast Turf Club, after gaining approval earlier this year from council, is finally filling in the lake for a grassed area at the back of the Bundall equine precinct.

RSPCA spokesman Michael Beattie told The Bulletin: “It’s absolutely the worst time. This is right in the middle of breeding season. It’s part of what we call the trauma season.”

Turf Club chairman Brett Cook has confirmed one of the reasons work had begun now was to avoid problems during the upcoming wet season.

“The contractors of the project have complied with all approval requirements to make sure all wildlife are protected and relocated if needed,” he said.

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

“The filling of the borrow pit will be fast tracked as the current hot weather is a major contributor to the bad water quality that has been a concern for the wildlife for a long time.”

The move has caught the RSPCA by surprise because it believed the lake dispute had been resolved.

Mr Beattie said numerous “dubious and conflicting reports” have been produced to allegedly prove that the lake was a pool of chemical effluence as opposed to a rampant and viable breeding ground for native birds.

“A simple visit to the lake will show who is telling the truth,” he said.

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Workers at Black Swan Lake on the Gold Coast.

The council had moved too quickly instead of considering other viable options than building a car park at the back of the Bundall equine centre, Mr Beattie said.

“Unfortunately situations like this are not confined to the Gold Coast, it’s happening all over South East Queensland,’ he said.

“Four years ago RSPCA Qld’s Wildlife hospital was dealing with around 8,500 native animals and birds annually. This year that figure was over 24,000.

“Local councils are allowing more of the habitat to be destroyed and the animals and bird life have nowhere to go.

Black Swan Lake before the fill began.

Mr Beattie said Black Swan Lake was a real opportunity for the local councilors to stand up and proclaim that they cared about wildlife.

“The RSPCA and many other groups are sick and tired of picking up broken animals that could have been saved if the Gold Coast City Council had bothered think of the future,” he said.

“Those votes they were chasing may well be overwhelmed by a justifiable voter backlash. You would think so given the number of people signing a petition.”