Hume Council accused of neglecting Sunbury’s Spavin Lake

A popular northern suburbs lake is fast becoming a mudpatch, with waterbirds deserting it in droves and locals desperate for action.

Sally Ryan at Spavin Lake, which she says has been declining for years. Picture: Rob Leeson

Hume Council has been accused of neglecting a Sunbury lake.

Spavin Lake’s water levels were lowered over the summer to prepare for spillway repairs.

Photographer and resident Sally Ryan said the low water had caused a lot of vegetation around the lake’s edge to die off, affecting bird habitats.

“I’m really disappointed it’s been allowed to get into this state,” she told the Leader.

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“I think someone should be visiting these natural areas to make sure it doesn’t fall into such disrepair.”

The council’s sustainable infrastructure and services director Peter Waite said works on the spillway were already under way.

“The repair works started this week and will take approximately four weeks, weather permitting,” he said.

“Once the spillway is repaired, the water level can be allowed to return to its normal level.”

However, Ms Ryan has urged more work to be done.

Sally Ryan is among residents who have expressed concerns over state of Spavin Lake. Picture: Rob Leeson

But since moving to the area five years ago, she said the lake had been in constant decline.

“I’m very happy they’ve finally started the works but they really should have started before now,” she said.

“It left a lot of birds in the lurch.

“Their lack of care has changed the whole habitat.”

Ms Ryan suggested the council could put up more signs about not feeding birds and implement fishing line receptacles around the water’s edge like some other metropolitan councils.

When the shallow lake is stocked with fish it has proved popular with local anglers.

Ms Ryan also pointed to a need to fix a drainage channel nearby.

“Someone also needs to pay attention to the dead and dying trees,” she said.

“There’s no planting being done to revegetate the lost trees that have disappeared.”