Black Swan Lake vigil as residents prepare for it to be filled in

A VIGIL has been held by environmentalists as they prepare to see their beloved Black Swan lake ‘Borrow pit’ filled in.

ABOUT 60 protesters gathered at Black Swan Lake this morning as residents expected what council call a “borrow pit” would start to be filled in.

Aware that traps had been set in recent nights, residents began arriving about 7am carrying placards and met behind construction fencing.

BLACK SWAN LAKE SHOWDOWN WITH WORK TO BEGIN

Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast and Hinterland Branch branch president Sally Spain talking to residents. Picture: Jerad Williams

No heavy machinery is near the site but community groups suspects if works begin it will be this weekend.

Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast and Hinterland branch president Sally Spain briefly addressed the residents, thanking them for keeping vigil with many having sleepless nights during the past week.

Several reports by The Gold Coast Bulletin have questioned the decision by a majority of councillors to allow the Turf Club to fill in the 2.7ha lake which has been home to more than 50 species of birds.

MEDIA BLACKOUT OVER SWAN LAKE

Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast and Hinterland Branch branch president Sally Spain talking to the protesters protesting the fill in of Black Swan Lake in Bundall. Picture: Jerad Williams

Councillors were told the lake would become a grassed area which could be used for overflow parking for major events like the Gold Coast Show and enable horses from nearby stables to use as a training area.

The Show Society is not guaranteed to hold its event this year and recent independent testing showed that the lake does have high levels of nutrients but cannot be considered toxic.

Ms Spain said residents were hoping the Federal Department of Environment and Heritage would intervene at the last minute but it seemed reluctant to intervene.

MAYOR DINES OUT ON EEL TO SAVE SWANS

Protesters protesting the fill in of Black Swan Lake in Bundall. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We’re hoping there is a change in that,” she said.

Ms Spain rejected the suggestion from some councillors that the birds would migrate to nearby canals.

“This is a freshwater area. We do know that it has (a history of being) a wetland area,” she said.