East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) continues to monitor conditions at Lake Tyers estuary with Parks Victoria, Gippsland Ports and the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
East Gippsland CMA, Gippsland Ports and the East Gippsland Shire Council met with the Nowa Nowa community last week to discuss the current estuary conditions. This offered the community an opportunity to ask questions regarding the high levels of the lake that is affecting infrastructure and businesses in their local area.
“The delicate balance of social, cultural, economic, and environmental values are all taken into account when considering an artificial estuary opening,” Bec Hemming, chief executive officer of the East Gippsland CMA, said.
Last week the East Gippsland CMA undertook water quality monitoring throughout the lake.
“The oxygen levels remain low in Lake Tyers, particularly in the lower parts of the water column,” she said.
“This is a potential major risk to fish. If we were to undertake an artificial estuary opening with the current conditions, it would be highly likely fish would suffer. Rain and flow into the catchment are required to mix the oxygen throughout the water column.
“When we have a rain event the East Gippsland CMA, in partnership with other agencies will undertake further water quality monitoring to see if the conditions have improved to consider an artificial estuary opening.”
