AFTER years of water-related dilemmas at Lake Boga, Swan Hill City Council and Lake Boga Inc are working together to pump new life into the region.
Often referred to as the ‘jewel of the crown’ in the Swan Hill municipality, Lake Boga Inc representative Cameron Smits said development in the area had fallen behind in recent years due to fluctuating water levels in the lake.
Progress in the region came to a halt when the popular fishing spot dried up in early 2008, he said.
“No-one in their right mind would spend the money when the lake was dry.”
“There was a lot of uncertainty about spending money out here.”
Now, Mr Smits said, the agenda to “bring the lake back up-to-date” was gaining momentum.
“It’s getting busier again now; more people are using the caravan park and we need to make sure that we keep them coming back,” Mr Smits said.
“When they come here they expect decent footpaths, showers… picnic tables and shade.
“They don’t just want the water and the grass.”
Lake Boga’s foreshore stabilisation project is the next improvement to be ticked off the list, with works expected to begin in early March.
The project, which will be undertaken by Swan Hill company Whitfield Excavations, will involve the battering of banks around the foreshore to prevent further erosion and provide a stable slope toward the water which will make the beach more accessible to patrons and users.
In addition to this project, Swan Hill Rural City Council is calling for tenders for the construction of a 3.1 kilometre long footpath and bike trail along the foreshore.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s edition of The
Guardian (23/01/13).
