Moulamein Lake’s maintenance issue highlights park problem

WAKOOL Shire Councillors have denied a request to sustain the upkeep of Moulamein Lake and in doing so, highlighted the issue of park maitenance throughout the municipality.

Criticism of Moulamein Lake’s amenities and surrounding parkland from “several sources” last year provoked council to consider covering annual maitenance costs — estimated at more than $31,000.

Currently, a few volunteers provide services — regular mowing around the lake and picnic areas, barbecue maintenance and maintaining a surrounding road — in an ‘ad hoc’ fashion.

At Wednesday’s monthly meeting Councillor Katarni Lipp said the man-made lake was not sustainable if left without help.

“The walking track will deteriorate, trees will be neglected,” she said.

“The only seating area by the lake with a rotunda and barbecue will be mowed and cleaned maybe once in summer when visitors arrive.”

With no yacht club, ski club, and fees to use the lake not enforced, the few committee members had no way to collect money, Ms Lipp said.

But councillor Colin Membrey said funding the lake would be unfair for other towns and parks.

“We can’t take it on without other parks suffering,” he said.

For more of this story, see Friday’s (February 22) Guardian.