By MATT MALE
LAKESIDE residents are upset after wildlife in the lake was put in danger from recent cleaning.
Cardinia Shire Council contracted cleaners to “clean up reeds and rubbish” at the lake, announced Thursday 20 August on the council’s Facebook page. The council said the lake would “be looking spic’n’span for spring!”
Lakeside resident Maureen Edwards has spoken out, saying the timing was amiss.
“We noticed it the other day when we went for a walk around there. They were just cutting all the weeds and it didn’t look good. Two days later I went down and it was horrendous,” Ms Edwards said.
“This is the time of the year when the swans are hatching and little ducklings. It seems like an odd time to do it”
Ms Edwards’ husband Paul said while there was no evidence of injury, the works threatened wildlife.
“It was a pretty rigorous machine, it looked like something out of a James Bond film,” he said.
“I didn’t see any evidence of birds being killed. The machine is so big and powerful you wouldn’t know.”
Mr Edwards said wildlife used the lake for shelter to care for young ones.
“Birds would lay their eggs in these weeds and would nurture their young hatchlings in and around these weeds to keep them from predators.
“Not that we’ve seen any predators,” he said.
Cardinia’s open space co-ordinator Kevin Alexander said the operator of the aquatic harvester took great care to ensure no wildlife was harmed.
“The lake was assessed before the works started, with bird nests and eggs sighted in four locations. As a result, weed removal is not taking place in these areas.
“Selected areas of vegetation are also being left intact to provide shelter and protection for birds and other wildlife,“ he said.
