UPDATES

SEPTEMBER 2023

It has been a busy time in the Council area with the flood event late last year which continued into 2023.  During and since the flood event the camp sites around Lake Bonney have been closed to the community and visitors.  To cater to visitors to the area, temporary camp sites were opened at Apex Park and Lake Vista and remain open.

Councils contractor has began work on remediation to the camp sites located at North Lake with works scheduled to be completed by the end of September. While works are being undertaken the area is closed to vehicles, campers, pedestrians and community members.

Council continues to work with our partners  to assess and remediate other camp sites around the Lake.

Ireland Road, Barmera that leads to Pelican Point and Pelican Point is currently closed while the site is assessed.    CLICK HERE to see FAQ for Pelican Point

NOVEMBER 2022

In April 2022, Coalition Government Minister for Water the Hon. Keith Pitt MP approved a grant for more than $1.2 million under the program for Berri Barmera Council to undertake a significant environmental project.

This funding has now been scrapped and the project is unfunded.

“$1,257,760 in funding was approved by former Minister Pitt for the benefit the Barmera region to undertaking 2.35 hectares of weed treatment, remove 10 colonies of fox and rabbits over 35 hectares, fence four kilometres to protect 10 kilometres of riparian area and with 50 kilograms of seeds sown, plant 6,000 natives,” Mr Pasin said.

“Labor have pulled this funding out of the Barmera region to help pay for their policy of buybacks,” Mr Pasin said.

“Before the election Labor refused to rule out returning to a policy of water buy backs. Now they are telling us that to recover the additional 450GL buybacks are back on the table, but the funding detail is ‘not-for-publication’”.

Minister Plibersek has confirmed water buybacks are part of the undisclosed ‘significant funds’ allocated to finalising the Basin Plan in last month’s Federal Budget.

“The Murray Darling Basin is home to 2.6 million people who rely on the river to generate economic activity providing local jobs and generating $24 billion of agricultural output each year,” Mr Pasin said.

“We know from previous experience that buy backs kill communities and that’s why the former Coalition Government vowed never to use buy backs to recover environmental water,” Mr Pasin said.

JULY 2022

Works have progressed around Lake Bonney with areas 2, 3, 4 ,5 and 6 being completed and open for booking, camping numbers and fire pits have been installed where appropriate.  North Lakes camping area sites 36 - 56 are nearing completion and will be opening in the next few weeks.Temporary signage has been installed at the entrances to each camping area, QR code are included on the signage for booking sites.

The online booking platform is live as of the 1 July 2022.  Bookings can be made via  this link

Stage 2 works are being developed with funding having been secured through Healthy Rivers program.

DECEMBER 2021

This time of the year is the busiest around the lake for visitor and locals.

Works are progressing in development of camp sites and the walking trail with certain areas being closed to the public.

During the summer months additional patrols by Council staff will be undertaken to ensure that campers and visitors respect the area and do the right thing.

Please remember the simple things while camping around the Lake

• The entire lake is of cultural significance, so please respect the area
• Fencing has been installed to restrict access
• Camping access points are available, and camping is allowed but please stay within a reasonable distance of access points
• Camping is free but permits and fees will be payable in the future
• Signage has been installed and fines will be issued for any breaches
• Follow fire danger season restrictions
• Motorbikes and chainsaws are not permitted
• Rubbish is to be taken with you
• Due to excess use and damage, the areas around the lake can be extremely boggy in places

OCTOBER 2021

In October the following project update was delivered to Council.

Work is continuing on our Lake Bonney Caring for Country Project. Track reformation and designated camping areas are now being developed. The works started in mid-October and they are expected to continue until the end of March 2022. During this time, sections of the walking trail will also be worked on.

What does this mean for you?

Apex Park is the main point of call for the project. The site office and machinery will be housed there. This means that the park will be closed to public vehicles for duration of works.

Traffic safety signage will be regularly displayed at sites that are being worked on and we hope you take care when driving through.

Camping sites will be progressively closed off as works are undertaken to ensure that minimal disturbance occurs on these very sensitive areas. You will see RMMAC Rangers out and about, as well as Cultural Heritage Officers who are partnering with our contractor Altitude Earthworks.

Once the sites have been completed and ready for use, you will now need to book your stay through our brand new online booking system.

Next steps…

We have worked with RMMAC to submit a grant application seeking further funding to complete Stage 2 of the Project. This funding will including pest management, revegetation, irrigation, fencing and further trail development including a walking bridge near Nappers Bridge.

MARCH 2021

1. Fencing works along Queen Elizabeth Drive have been completed, restricting access using a mixture of materials.
2. The Revegetation Management Plan has been completed.
3. Camping area concept plans are approved in principle subject to approval of the Section 21 & 23 application to Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Plans can be accessed here.
4. The cycling/walking track around the lake has been mapped.

Work on the cycling/walking track and camping areas will commence once approval of the Section 21 & 23 application is received.

Over the Adelaide Cup long weekend, the hard work undertaken by staff and rangers as part of the Lake Bonney Caring for Country Management Plan, where designated parking/camping spots identified to preserve and protect Lake Bonney foreshore against erosion, was undone.

Unfortunately, some campers felt it was okay to cut the wire fence so that they could have access to Lake Bonney, disregarding the damage they caused to vegetation. This action is extremely disappointing.

We would appreciate campers sticking to the designated sites to ensure that the Lake's ecology can be returned to a natural state for all to enjoy.

OCTOBER 2020

The following is an update on the Caring for Country project and works around the Lake;

1. Weed and Pest mapping has been completed
2. The carparks at both North Lakes and Pelican Point have been upgraded and are complete
3. Day areas 1 & 2 have been completed and feedback received has been positive
4. Fencing works along Queen Elizabeth Drive have commenced. Fencing will continue around to North Lake carpark restricting access from the road using a mixture of materials
5. The Revegetation Management Plan is currently being developed
6. Signage guidelines are being developed
7. Indigenous Rangers have been appointed and are currently undertaking several taskings
8. Camping area concept plans are currently going through the approval
9. Application to Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation has been lodged and awaiting approval
10. The Cultural Heritage Management Plan has been updated and will be implemented following the approval process

If you have any questions please contact the Berri Barmera Council Office on 8582 1922.