Our sanctuary renewed

Strolling along boardwalks, gazing at clear, tranquil water where native fish flourish with a myriad of bird species nesting and enjoying the peaceful allure of Balyang Sanctuary is now a step closer.

Stage one of the upgrade and revitalisation of the popular passive recreation destination is underway, with the boardwalks already completed, providing excellent access for visitors and minimal disturbance to the sanctuary’s flora and fauna.

City of Greater Geelong’s Brownbill Ward Councillor, Barbara Abley, is ecstatic with the project’s launch, explaining “the jewel in Geelong’s heart is being polished”.

“Balyang is one of the most used facilities by all ages from babies in prams to the elderly, but it has needed work for a long time.  The City had been waiting for more rain to flush the waterways out but that just wasn’t happening, so it will have to be done this way.”

The Balyang Sanctuary improvements are the first since the lake was built in the early 1970s.  The waterway receives all of its flows from stormwater runoff from part of the Newtown residential area and the water quality in the lake is poor as a result of a number of factors, including pollutants entering from the stormwater system.

The lack of aquatic and lake edge vegetation and a large population of European carp are also contributing factors and there have also been several blue-green algal blooms during the summer months, with one outbreak of avian botulism.

The rehabilitation works will focus on improving the water quality within the lake, as well as safety around the lake edge and upgrading of old infrastructure.  Stage one will include installation of a new water level control valve near the existing south-western outlet, draining the lake temporarily to eradicate European carp without harming native species, and establishing a new, safer lake edge along Marnock Road with earthworks, rockwork and lake edge vegetation.

The revegetation of the area between the kerb of Marnock Road and the new lake edge has started, together with a new gravel pathway linking the reserve to the asphalt path near Shannon Avenue.  Stage one also includes three new, replacement footbridges, removal of footbridges as part of the new earthworks and the installation of two large sections of timber boardwalk along the edge of the eastern shoreline of the lake.

Stage two works program will involve the establishment of a sedimentation basin at the northern end of the lake, a wetland along the western side of the lake and the reshaping of the floor of the lake to create a defined flow channel.   These major works will commence in the summer of 2007 and be underway for a number of months.

Cr Abley encouraged people to try the new boardwalks and bridges but reminded visitors to be patient while the improvements were completed over a period of time.  Not all areas of the reserve will be able to be open to the public during some of the major works, particularly during next summer, but Council will ensure the main picnic areas and carpark at the southern end of Marnock Road remain available for use.

“I’m really pleased the City is continuing to bring the sanctuary up to pristine condition.  There will be safe pedestrian access, good parking, boardwalks, bridges and paths winding through the trees.  I’m absolutely delighted with the progress,” she said.

Alison Martin