Have your say on the future of Causeway Lake precinct
Livingstone Shire Council is seeking feedback from key stakeholders and the wider community around the future of the Causeway Lake precinct.
The purpose of the initial consultation is to determine what the community’s expectations and aspirations are regarding lake restoration, future use options, and shoreline development.
Mayor Andy Ireland said the future of Causeway Lake has been an ongoing conversation in the Livingstone community, with a feasibility study funded by the Queensland Government undertaken late last year to investigate potential dredging costs.
“Causeway Lake is the only calm water recreation asset in the region, and as such has long been important for sailing instruction, disabled boating, boat licensing and a host of water sports such as skiing, boating, kayaking, sailing, and fishing,” Mayor Ireland said.
“Use of Causeway Lake for most of these historic activities, with accompanying onshore recreation functions, has declined noticeably in the last couple of decades in response to severe shallowing in the lake.
“Livingstone Shire Council is in the process of evaluating options for the restoration and development of Causeway Lake and the shoreline and we want the community’s feedback on how they use the lake and what they would like to see happen with its future use.
“The Queensland Government agrees with Council in that there is merit in restoring the lake and developing the shoreline with this most recent evaluation providing the clearest picture yet of what lake dredging will entail.
“The extent of the dredge, amount of materials, methodology, environmental impact, and disposal options were all investigated.
“The cost of dredging was estimated at $7million, which means Council would need to seek funding support from other levels of government to carry out these major works.
“It should be noted that the process of seeking approvals for dredging will take approximately two years, with a further year for the actual dredging.
“In order to invest in a precinct that delivers benefits to the local community while creating economic and tourism opportunities, Council is undertaking stakeholder and community consultation to better understand historic, current, and potential future uses of Causeway Lake, as well as the community’s overall view on the merit of the project.
“The Causeway Lake has the potential to become a key tourism drawcard for our region, and I encourage the community to have their say by taking part in the online survey,” Mayor Ireland said.
Consultation closes on 6 February, with the results expected to be presented to Council in mid-February.
To take part in the survey, please visit https://getinvolved.livingstone.qld.gov.au/