Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree will receive a boost in water levels with the Redan Wetlands to Lake Wendouree pipeline officially commissioned last month.
The project has increased capacity to capture, treat and reuse stormwater throughout the city.
The project has been jointly funded by the City of Ballarat and the Victorian Government Regional Development Infrastructure Fund.
During the recent drought, Ballarat’s iconic lake almost completely dried up.
Ballarat Mayor Councillor Judy Verlin said the project is key in the ongoing commitment to refilling Lake Wendouree.
“Council has made a significant investment in developing a long term, sustainable solution for restoring Lake Wendouree,” she said.
“After having enjoyed our wettest autumn in more than a decade, the substantial level of water currently in the lake is testament to the ongoing work Council is undertaking in capturing and reusing stormwater.”
“The Redan Wetlands to Lake Wendouree pipeline is an integral part of our Harnessing Ballarat’s Stormwater project and has been commissioned at an ideal time to capture winter rains.”
City of Ballarat Acting Director Development and Infrastructure, Ian Rossiter, said the project will also bring additional benefits to the community.
“When the lake ‘fills and spills’, the Redan Wetlands pipeline provides the ability to use treated stormwater to irrigate some of our city’s parks and sporting facilities that currently rely upon our potable water supply,” he said.
“The newly constructed pipeline will assist in the ongoing irrigation of three sporting grounds, Moreshead Park, Trekardo Park and Western Oval, providing long term benefits to sporting clubs and residents who use these parks.”
Recent works, including the Redan Wetlands pipeline have seen Lake Wendouree’s stormwater catchment area increase almost threefold, allowing it to deliver 900 megalitres of stormwater to the lake each year.
