Shoalhaven City Council has submitted an application to the NSW Government for $2.35 million dollars to facilitate the long-term opening of Lake Conjola.
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Shoalhaven councillors resolved in a urgent motion at the ordinary meeting on January 28 that council staff prepare a submission for funding under the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, Financial Assistance for Bushfire Affected Coastal Waterways.
Council is now asking for just under half of the $5 million available under the funding round.
In council's application the director of planning, environment and development Phil Costello said a large proportion of the community had been directly effected by natural disaster and the floods had caused bushfire ash and debris to run into the lake.
"This bushfire impacted runoff due to this weather event has had adverse impacts on water quality as a result of greatly increased sediment and nutrients and severe impact on recreational uses," he said.
"The community was experiencing severe disruption and a critical downturn in trade, with a lake that is unattractive and likely to became even less attractive with increased run-off into the lake, particularly after the [flood].
The submission said the Conjola community was experiencing loss relating to place (the landscape, gardens and waterfront), property and belongings, livelihoods, access to services, hope and optimism for the future, confidence and control over their lives, and trust in government or authorities for protection and support.
"In short, the Conjola Lake opening will provide an immediate win, which will hearten the community while longer term recovery is being realised," Mr Costello said.
The proposal said the permanent opening of the lake would provide an opportunity to support people to be able to recover naturally from the bushfires, provide reassurance and give hope for the future and promote community connectedness.
The lake was mechanically opened on February 10, after Shoalhaven City Council conducted emergency works when floods caused the lake to rise past the trigger level. Council said its engineers have also undertaken further works to reduce the likelihood of the lake entrance closing again.
The proposal's timeline says the channel excavation work wouldn't begin until December 2020 although council also noted in its submission the proposed timing of works would be weather dependent.
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Stuart Thomson
Journalist at the South Coast Register.
Journalist at the South Coast Register.
