Lotus grows back at Centenary Lakes after Cairns Regional Councils big project

A Cairns lake is being overwhelmed by lotus again after Cairns Regional Council splashed out on removing the spread but an FNQ gardening expert has an unusual cure of how to get rid of it.

A GROWING problem has made a comeback at a Cairns lake with a species of lotus thriving just months after Cairns Regional Council splashed out on removing the spread.

In just over seven months the lotus growth that the council hired contractors to get rid of at Centenary Lakes has returned.

Back in July it was estimated the council spent about $35,000 on the work.

“In response to concerns about the growth of the lotus in 2021, council contracted a surface-based aquatic weed harvester to remove excessive lily and weed growth in many parts of the lake,” a council spokesperson said.

Local resident Trevor Johnston has been advocating to have the lotus removed Picture: Brendan Radke

Edge Hill resident Trevor Johnston has raised his concerns over and over again but he felt like he wasn’t been heard by council.

“I am disappointed because back in June last year, the harvester did its job. The harvest operator then said if they don’t maintain it would be just as bad by Christmas, that’s exactly what happened,” he said.

“I am really annoyed. They spent a lot of money back in June.”

Mr Johnston said he would like to see the council maintain the garden.

“All I would like to know is when they would get a maintenance program. I want to know when they are going start and what they are going to do,” he said.

Violets and Lace nursery owner and Cairns Post gardening expert Yvonne Cunningham said this species was something that could multiply quickly.

“The only way they could get rid of it is if they pulled every bit of it out. If you reduced it to a third, it would just grow back quick,” she said.

Edge Hill resident Donald Bird walks around the botanic gardens most days and doesn't like seeing the lotus overgrow through the lake. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Cunningham said the council should be looking at getting contractors to harvest the lotus.

“Lotus is another example of a healthy, nutritious food. If it was in south east Asia, every last leaf would be used,” she said.

“It’s a prolific grower, they should have brought in people to harvest it. We have a large Asian community, it is served in Chinese restaurants, in Thai, a wide range of places.”

Ms Cunningham said the origin of the plant was important.

“It is called the sacred lotus. This is a plant that can stop starvation, you have to look at the history of China, any food item like that is so prolific,” she said.

“The waste of food, the waste of resources is criminal in North Queensland.”

A council spokesperson said they were considering other maintenance programs.

“Council has no plans to undertake a similar removal exercise in the immediate future, but council is currently considering options for the long-term maintenance and control of lotus in the lakes,” the spokesperson said.

“When the lotus die off naturally after the wet season, Council manually removes stems and pads as part of routine maintenance.”

Originally published as Lotus grows back at Centenary Lakes after Cairns Regional Councils big project