Lake Ainsworth

Lake Ainsworth is an important recreational and environmental asset and remains 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. It’s managed by NSW Crown Lands and the southern end reserve is managed by Ballina Shire Council.

Lake Ainsworth Coastal Management Program (CMP)

2018 - 2020 
Objective To design and deliver a holistic plan of management for Lake Ainsworth in line with the NSW coastal management framework
Funding $183,000 funded by the NSW Dept of Planning and Environment (DPE) Coastal and Estuary Grants Program and Council

In 2018 Council engaged Hydrosphere Consulting to prepare a 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 and was one of the first CMPs to be certified in NSW. The Lake Ainsworth CMP contains 29 actions in total which are to be carried out within 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

Action 1 – Trial modifications to artificial aeration

complete 

Objective To determine the best aerator regime for the lake to improve water quality and reduce the incidence of blue-green algae
Funding $125,000 funded 2:1 by NSW Dept of Planning and Environment (DPE) Coastal and Estuary Grants Program and Council 

Lake Ainsworth - Action 1 - Trial Modifications to artificial aeration - Report (pdf)

The Phase 1 monitoring trial was carried out during the summer months of 2022 and was intended to continue through autumn, however autumn sampling was not carried out due to extremely high lake levels following the February and March floods. Phase 2 of the monitoring trial commenced in September 2022 and will run until May 2023.

This project is designed as a trial over a two-year period to test the effects of modifying the current aeration program on lake water quality and specifically the incidence of blue-green algae blooms. The following modifications are being undertaken in the trial:

Phase 1 aerator trial – results

Phase 1 of the trial indicated marked improvements in water quality observed with 24-hour operation of the aerator.

  • At the conclusion of the trial nutrient concentrations measured in the lake and particularly at the surface of the lake had decreased substantially.
  • Phosphorus showed the greatest reduction, while the overall reduction in nitrogen was minor. Chlorophyll a and cyanobacteria concentrations were also reduced during the 24-hour/day operation.
  • Reductions in nutrient and particularly bioavailable phosphorus concentrations observed are likely to have contributed to reduced levels of cyanobacteria and algae, although the climatic conditions this summer (i.e., above average rainfall and cloudy, cool conditions) are also likely to have created conditions less favourable for algal growth.

Phase 2 aerator trial – September 2022 - May 2023

  • Step 1. Aerators to be operated 24 hours per day over the Spring/Summer season (as Phase 1 trial showed improvements to water quality). 
  • Step 2. Reporting and analysis of monitoring data collected.
  • Step 3. Provision of a final report with recommendations for future management of the aerator regime in the lake, based on the results of the data collection and analysis.

Actions 3 and 10 – Beach nourishment and erosion protection

March 2022 - late 2024 

Objective To stabilise bank erosion and riparian vegetation and improve public safety and amenity of the foreshore
Funding $250,000 funded by the NSW government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF)

Council was successful in obtaining grant funding under the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) to undertake works surrounding the lake in areas that have been heavily eroded through natural factors and human use. Eroding banks and exposed tree roots are creating uneven footing with trip hazards and causing damage to tree health and bank stability.

The project aims to take the following approach:

  • Carry out beach nourishment through the placement of sand along priority foreshores to address the loss of beach areas.
  • Establish a beach retention sill where required to stabilise steeper beach gradients. This will consist of a row of large sandbags installed underwater to act as a retaining sill to reduce the downslope loss of sand.
  • Backfilling of tree roots. This measure is an extension of the beach nourishment and will re-establish soil levels over tree roots that have been exposed due to continued erosion.
  • Riparian vegetation, fencing, and access management. This measure is part of a continuing strategy to ensure that vegetation around the lake is healthy and resilient, and the foreshore is managed to reduce human impacts that cause erosion.
  • Stormwater management will be addressed and will be vital in ensuring foreshore erosion is minimised.

Actions 4, 9 and 22 – Riparian vegetation enhancement for erosion control and educational signage

March 2022 - late 2024 

Objective To stabilise bank erosion and riparian vegetation, improve public safety and amenity of the foreshore and provide educational resources on the values of Lake Ainsworth
Funding $96,500 funded 2:1 by NSW Dept of Planning and Environment (DPE) Coastal and Estuary Grants Program and Council.

This project has been slightly amended in response to the impacts of the severe weather and flooding experienced in the Ballina Shire in early 2022 leading to the lake levels being higher than normal and access to riparian area being inaccessible. This project will begin with rehabilitation of the dune areas at the Eastern side of the lake. Once water levels have receded this project will follow woks outlined in Action 3 of the CMP with the Southern and Eastern foreshore rehabilitated and revegetated in a way that offers greater erosion protection while managing adequate access for the community.

Issues to be addressed:

  • Foreshore erosion of the lake
  • Foreshore accessibility and public safety
  • Stormwater impact
  • Poor riparian vegetation condition
  • Terrestrial weeds
  • Decreased amenity and enjoyment
  • Reduced aesthetic quality of the foreshore
  • Educational resources to foster understanding, respect and stewardship for the Lake.

 


Actions 15 – Manage the increasing use of the western side of the lake to preserve ecosystem values

July - August 2024 

Objective To preserve the relatively 'untouched' ecosystem along the western shoreline, while providing formalized access to a limited section in order to reduce impacts resulting from centralized use. To protect habitat values, water quality, Aboriginal Heritage, scenic values and ecosystem health of the lake.
Funding $321,999 funded by NSW Government and Council

This project will involve the formalisation of the pathway through the western foreshore as a combination of low impact mulch pathway and raised boardwalk section and viewing platform.

The project will also involve bush regeneration to remove weeds and plant additional endemic species to improve the vegetation in this location.

Signage will also be installed to enhance the visitor experience when visiting the area.


Resources

The water quality snapshots below have been used to facilitate the preparation of the Lake Ainsworth Coastal Management Program.

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The General Manager
Ballina Shire Council
PO Box 450
Ballina NSW 2478

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