THE Buloke Shire Council has vowed to continue advocating for the Mallee Rally.
This comes as the preliminary findings into the Lake Tyrrell conservation management plan calls for an end to the event, which has taken place around Lake Tyrrell for the past four decades
Buloke Shire Council chief executive, Wayne O’Toole said council commissioned the Aboriginal Cultural Landscape Conservation Management Plan following concerns from traditional owners about the cultural impacts of the event upon the land surrounding Lake Tyrrell.
The objective of the conservation management plan was to help the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning decide the best way to manage activities at Lake Tyrrell into the future, and was funded entirely by the state government.
While respecting the findings of the report, Mr O’Toole said the council looked to DELWP to work with the event organisers and council to identify an alternative site, close to Sea Lake, to ensure the economic benefits remained within the community.
“Since its inception, the Sea Lake community has played a significant role in raising the profile of the event, attracting competitors from all over Australia,” Mr O’Toole said.
“Council also understands this is a highly emotive issue for all concerned.”
Mr O’Toole and council representatives attended the drop-in session last week.
“Council has and will continue to advocate for the Mallee Rally,” Mr O’Toole said, adding the Buloke Shire Council continued to support the activation of projects for economic development at Sea Lake, including the viewing platform and associated infrastructure.
“Funding for the tourism infrastructure at the south end of the lake was received from state and federal government, and council has contributed approximately $100,000 to this project,” he added.
