Lake shake up

FOR Lake Illawarra Authority (LIA) Chairman Doug Prosser, Tuesday was a day for celebration as the dredging work of the lake entrance commenced, but members of the Save Lake Illawarra Action Group (SLIAG) say the launch of the dredge still leave questions about the project unanswered.

SLIAG member, Bob Parsons says their key issues still revolve around what they call the budget tightrope being walked along by the LIA.

"They have shortened the northern breakwater by 25 metres because conditions have changed and they don't have enough money to finish the job properly," Mr Parsons said.

"We are concerned that by cutting corners like this, the lake entrance won't operate as it is supposed to.

"We are also concerned about whether there is sufficient funding to complete the dredging work.

"The dredging contract, as we understand it, calls for the removal of approximately 200,000 cubic metres of sand from the entrance.

"We are worried that this may not be enough to actually break through to the open sea and that the work will stop without achieving a result.

"We just don't seem to be able to get any clear cut answers from the LIA.

"If the LIA doesn't have the funding to complete the project we are prepared to go to the Federal Government and local big business to lobby for additional funds to do the job properly."

Mr Prosser says that people should be celebrating the day rather than complaining.

"Today is a fabulous day." Mr Prosser said.

"We've waited 18 years for this moment, and now finally the wall is almost finished and the dredging has started.

"In fact, I would say the dredging is arguably the most significant contract in recent history in terms of the health and condition of the lake.

Mr Prosser also said that the expert advice given to the LIA is that shortening the northern wall by 25 metres will not materially affect its performance in blocking sand from re-entering the lake entrance and acting as a chute to channel flood waters out to sea.

"Because of the increased depth of water we have encountered, the cost of extending the wall out to its original length is likely to be in the hundred of thousands of dollars," Mr Prosser said.

"Our experts advise us that shortening the wall slightly will not affect its performance and as such I can't justify the massive additional expenditure involved in going the full distance.

"We must keep in mind that we are only talking about 7% variation in the total length of the wall."

According to Mr Prosser, there is a possibility that the removal of the 200,000 cubic metres of may not result in being able to break through to the open sea.

"It is only supposition, but in a project of this magnitude, it is possible that 200,000 cubic metres of sand may not be enough to open the entrance to the sea," Mr Prosser said.

"We will cross that bridge, if and when we come to it.