Champion Lakes Regatta Centre

 Managing a water body presents some challenges and VenuesWest is working to overcome these with a range of measures designed to address the ongoing issue of water quality leading to closures of the lake.

March 2016

In respect to management of the water quality of the entire Champion Lakes water body, VenuesWest have taken the following actions:

• The water transfer pipeline was completed in January 2015 to help reduce the impact of “first flush” rainfall during early winter assisting to keep the lake open for use. The pipeline allows for the treatment ponds to be flushed on a more regular basis, complementing the usual lake fill process. The effects of the pipeline should become apparent next season.
• Improved lake discharge project allowing VenuesWest to control the rising salinity of the lake and also achieve greater flushing of the entire lake. Independent consultants have been engaged to investigate options to increase the amount of fresh water being flushed into the lake on a regular basis. VenuesWest continues to work with experts from Department of Water and Department of Health to assist with this initiative.
• Worked with Landcorp to update the drainage plan taking into account further stages of residential housing development in the area. The improved drainage has ensured that any water reaching the lake is of appropriate quality.
• An independent consultant has been engaged to advise on infrastructure options, such as wires, to deter bird activity on the starting pontoon. This is to ensure the safety of venue users when accessing this area.
• A complete refurbishment of the settlement ponds, including removal and replacement of reeds and filtration media. Water is now running through the treatment ponds and into the lake containing less nutrients. We are already seeing the positive effects from the ponds and is being measured utilising water testing data.
• Pursuing change from the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (2000) Guidelines for Recreation Water Quality to the National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC (2008) Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality in line with advice from the WA Department of Health.
• A new Drainage, Irrigation and Nutrient Water Quality Management Plan has been created which has reviewed the current process and identified what improvements needed to be made. VenuesWest continues to work with relevant government agencies including Department of Health and Department of Water to ensure appropriate safety measures and standards are maintained and a longer term solution is pursued.

Patron safety remains VenuesWest’s primary priority and as required under the Ministerial Statement VenuesWest will continue to close the lake if there is a risk to users.