Council has engaged engineering consultants Tonkin and Taylor to help create a future strategy plan for the management of Lake Hood, which has been affected by water quality issues over the past two summers.

Group Manager of Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said Tonkin and Taylor had been involved in the development of the lake 25 years ago.

“They have historical knowledge so it’s good to have them on board to help us create a longterm plan to improve the circulation of water around the lake and its canals. They’ll give us advice about the issues we are facing and help us prioritise the work that needs to be done.”

Council budgeted $250,000 in the 2024-25 financial year for water quality improvements at Lake Hood and one new tool to improve water flow is already at work.

A new channel was dug to divert some of the intake water to the western lake expansion, so more water would pass through the canals.

High cyanobacteria levels in the canals can trigger a health warning for the whole lake and good circulation keeps them at bay.

Mr McCann said the new channel introduces water to a different point of the lake and will assist in circulating water to that area, particularly when easterly winds blow.

“Some work has also been done at the original intake at the river and those improvements mean the intake can be fully opened and closed remotely.”

Since July 1, ACL has been managing the lake for Council. The company has a five-year contract for the work, which includes the operation of a weed harvester.

Mr McCann said ACL staff had been learning how to operate the weed harvester that will be in use this summer. Harvested weed will be left for a short period at designated areas on the side of the lake, and then removed by a contractor.

“It’s early days for the harvester and those training to use it, but when the weed starts to grow we will keep on top of it and work out the best times of the day to operate it.”

He said Council would be meeting with the Lake Hood Residents’ Association on 24 October to keep them informed of progress.