General News
20 September, 2022
Committee vows to fight on after lake decision
MEMBERS of the Green Hill Lake Development Board have vowed to push on with their plans to improve the precinct, despite a move to hand the site back to the Victorian Government.
MEMBERS of the Green Hill Lake Development Board have vowed to push on with their plans to improve the precinct, despite a move to hand the site back to the Victorian Government.
The lake precinct is owned by the Victorian Government but is controlled by Ararat Rural City Council.
At a recent council meeting, six of seven councillors agreed to investigate handing back control of the site to the state. Cr Gwenda Allgood wasn’t present at the meeting.
It was argued the Victorian Government had the resources to deliver improvements at the lake.
“This is the time for the community to grab the opportunity to make Green Hill Lake what it deserves to be, or let it wither on the vine because of limited opportunities that council can support,” Cr Peter Beales said.
Green Hill Lake Development Board committee members and supporters say they are bitterly disappointed by council’s position but will push on with their work at the precinct.
The committee say the precinct needs council to support their work at the lake and address issues like clear signage pointing to the RV dump and road grading.
In recent months, people have been emptying their effluent cartridges into the public toilets or on the ground because the location of the RV dump is not clearly marked.
“The one sign we have isn’t sufficient to get people around to the dump point,” said committee member Morris Allgood.
“We need more signs put up which we asked for about six months ago but nothing has happened,” he said.
“They (caravaners) have been dumping effluent into the toilet bowls. They’re using ordinary toilet paper that won’t dissolve which is then blocking the sewage system up there,” he said.
“On another occasion, someone has dumped their effluent between the walking track and the water,” Mr Allgood said.
“We’ve been asking for the road to be sealed for probably 15 or 20 years and it never gets past the CEO, it never gets to the councillors to decide on, it has never been put on a three year plan,” he said.
“We just get told it can’t be done whenever we ask for it to be sealed.”
The Ararat Advocate met up with several committee members and supporters this week who were all of the view the precinct will go backwards if handed back to the state.
“Definitely,” everyone said in chorus.
Mr Allgood said council hasn’t spoken to his members about their decision.
“We’re in the dark. The council has had no consultation with us or the community yet they go ahead and make a decision like that,” he said.
“I don’t think they have even consulted with the state government to see what the consequences would be.”
“We just don’t understand why it has happened. I seriously hope they see some sense and reconsider their position,” Mr Allgood said.