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Gold Coast Bulletin readers support saving Black Swan Lake as City Council votes to save

Gold Coast Bulletin readers have overwhelmingly backed saving controversial Black Swan Lake after councillors passed judgment yesterday. SEE WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY

A swan at Black Swan Lake on the Gold Coast

GOLD Coast Bulletin readers have overwhelmingly supported saving controversial Black Swan Lake after a six-year battle ended yesterday.

A majority of city councillors backed a recommendation to save the lake on Tuesday, rejected a recommendation to fill it in after an hour-long debate.

The Bulletin asked readers to share their thoughts on Facebook before the vote yesterday.

The call for feedback received a total 309 comments, 32 shared and was seen by almost 30,000 people, with the majority calling for the site to be saved and restored.

The last corner of the lake is all that’s left. Picture Glenn Hampson
The last corner of the lake is all that’s left. Picture Glenn Hampson

Commenter Diane Crawford said: “Save it, we have already lost so much habitat and we certainly don’t want any more development.

“Move the (race) track out west, a more natural environment for horses.”

Others said the lake was a home to many native plants and animals.

“Save it please, over 28 Brisbane River turtles live there,” wrote Judy Leitch.

COUNCIL VOTES TO SAVE REMAINING SECTION OF BLACK SWAN LAKE

“(It has) a bird list of 70 on (birdwatching site) eBird. It could be marvellous again.”

Sarah Morrison added: “So many species of wildlife are thriving with what is left, it should have been left alone. No more destruction of environment and wildlife.”

The vote was 6-5 to retain the lake.

Supporting Cr Peter Young’s recommendation were Gail O’Neill, Bob La Castra, Daphne McDonald, William Owen-Jones and Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden.

A female ibis caught in mud at Black Swan Lake as the water level drops at the Bundall borrow pit.
A female ibis caught in mud at Black Swan Lake as the water level drops at the Bundall borrow pit.

Councillors against were Cameron Caldwell, Darren Taylor, Glenn Tozer and Mark Hammel.

But some readers agreed the lake should be filled in rather than Council using ratepayer funds to save it, with some referring to it as a “dead fake lake”.

BLACK SWAN LAKE FUTURE: CITY COUNCIL’S DEAL WITH TURF CLUB

Duncan Will said: “Such a weird location that lake, can’t barely access it as it’s behind all the stables. This fill in was probably planned for years.”

There is still some confusion as to how much it will cost to restore and maintain the lake.

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-bulletin-readers-support-saving-black-swan-lake-as-city-council-votes-to-save/news-story/b85d10d12ecd87a990f360765301738e