Lake Ainsworth

Lake Ainsworth is an important recreational and environmental asset and a key visitor destination in the Ballina Shire. Lake Ainsworth is categorised as a typical acidic freshwater coastal dune lake and covers an area of 12.4 hectares. The lake is managed by NSW Crown Lands and the southern end reserve is managed by Ballina Shire Council. Management of Lake Ainsworth is guided by the Lake Ainsworth Coastal Management Program. More information on the Coastal Management Program for Lake Ainsworth and current status of management actions is included below.

Lake Ainsworth Coastal Management Program

In 2018 Council engaged Hydrosphere Consulting to prepare a Coastal Management Program (CMP) to provide a long-term strategy and management actions for Lake Ainsworth. The CMP was prepared in accordance with the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016 and the NSW Coastal Management Manual. It was one of the first CMPs to be certified in NSW. The Lake Ainsworth CMP contains 29 actions to be carried out over a ten-year timeframe. These actions cover various management issues including:

  • Water quality
  • Sediment management
  • Bank erosion
  • Catchment management
  • Cultural heritage
  • Flooding
  • Flora and fauna
  • Community uses
  • Education

 

Lake Ainsworth CMP Actions

The below table provides a snapshot of the actions included in the Lake Ainsworth CMP and status. 

Action

Name

Desired Outcome

Status

Action 1

Trial modifications to artificial aeration

Determine the best aerator regime for the lake for water quality improvements.

Complete

Action 2

Trial sediment treatment

To improve and maintain water quality and ecosystem health of the lake and surrounding habitats.

Not required

Action 3

Beach nourishment with a geofabric container beach sill

Improved public safety and amenity of foreshores and stabilisation of bank erosion and riparian vegetation.

Complete

Action 4

Riparian vegetation enhancement for erosion control

Improved public safety and amenity of foreshores and stabilisation of bank erosion and riparian vegetation.

Complete

Action 5

Stormwater treatment/improvement

Best practice stormwater treatment systems are installed and maintained.
Continuation of low impact land management practices in the catchment.

Complete

Action 6

Litter management/recycling

Improve waste management and education to reduce litter impacting on amenity, water quality and wildlife.

Complete

Action 7

Flood planning

Ensure all development and management actions in the study area are suitable for the location and/or are adaptive to changing flooding risk.

Ongoing

Action 8

Develop and implement local Cane Toad management strategy

Reduce Cane Toad numbers and their undesirable impacts on native wildlife.

In progress

Action 9

Riparian vegetation management

To improve condition and extent of natural fringing vegetation around lake.

Complete

Action 10

Backfill exposed tree roots

To improve the health of Broad-leaved Paperbark trees along lake foreshores.
To reduce trip hazards, access issues and improve public safety.
To improve and maintain water quality and ecosystem health of the lake.

Complete

Action 11

Aquatic weed harvesting

To reduce aquatic weeds and improve recreational opportunities and aesthetics.

In progress

Action 12

Grass species selection for open space areas to minimise bare areas

Enhanced aesthetics, recreational values and protection against erosion.

Complete

Action 13

Wildlife/turtle crossing warning signs on Camp Drewe Road

Raise awareness of the presence of native fauna and need for care to be taken to avoid road kill.

Pending

Action 14

Replace boom used in aquatic weed management

Allow for effective ongoing control of aquatic weeds when high densities occur.

Complete

Action 15

Manage increasing use of the western side of the lake to preserve ecosystem values

To preserve the relatively ‘untouched’ ecosystem along the western shoreline, while providing formalised access to a limited selection in order to reduce impacts resulting from concentrated use.
To protect habitat values, water quality, Aboriginal Heritage, scenic values and ecosystem health of the lake.

Complete

Action 16

Review of public safety risk assessment

To ensure public safety at lake access points.

Pending

Action 17

Greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal heritage

To identify culturally appropriate ways to better acknowledge the indigenous history of the lake and surrounding habitats.

In progress

Action 18

Encourage alternative transport to the lake

To reduce congestion, parking pressure and vehicle use, leading to enhanced amenity, lower carbon emissions/pollution and increased safety. Encourage exercise and community connectivity with associated increased health benefits.

Pending

Action 19

Management of future parking arrangements

To evaluate the extent of parking issues following completion of Foreshore Improvement Works and assist in directing further management effort.

Complete

Action 20

Traffic management Camp Drewe Road

To improve public safety and reduce likelihood of wildlife road kill on Camp Drewe Road.

Complete

Action 21

Manage dog access

Reduction in the number of dogs in the lake and foreshore areas, reducing the inputs of urine and faeces to the lake and reduced impacts on native wildlife at the lake.

Complete

Action 22

Education campaign

To inform the community about the values of the lake and its unique ecosystem components and sensitivities to human impact. The overall aim is to foster a higher level of understanding, respect and stewardship, translating into positive changes in behaviour.

Pending

Action 23

Review blue green algae alert/lake closure signage

Better communication of risks associated with algal blooms with a view to reducing swimmers during high risk periods.

Complete

Action 24

Establish an integrated management group

To ensure coordinated and cooperative management for ongoing and effective management of the lake.

In progress

Action 25

Monitoring program

To track performance of actions implemented as part of the CMP and allow for timely maintenance and adaptive measures to be implemented as required.
To better understand the level of issues and priority for management.

Pending

Action 26

Review of CMP progress and monitoring of performance targets

Continuous improvement towards the CMP objectives across the full range of issues.

Pending

Action 27

Ten year review of CMP

Management actions and approaches remain appropriate for the long term.

Pending

Action 28

Flood planning – NSW Office of Sport

Ensure all development or management option in the study area is suitable for the location and/or is adaptive to changing flood risk.

Pending

Action 29

Biological control of Salvinia

To provide ongoing control of Salvinia in the lake.

Complete

 


 

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Lake Ainsworth is part of the Healthy Waterways Program, which protects the ecological, cultural, recreational and economic benefits of waterways and the environment enjoyed by residents and visitors of the Ballina Shire. Learn more about Healthy Waterways here.