The group officially started in March and formed to take matters into their own hands in a bid to make authorities listen and act to restore the health of the ailing waterways that make up the Lake Innes, Lake Cathie and Lake Cathie lagoon ecosystems and catchments.

President of the group Danielle Maltman said the first of many forums was a chance for the public to get informed on what the group had been doing on their behalf.

"This is the first of what will be many public forums because the lake and the health of the lake is so important to so many," Mrs Maltman said.

"We have a lot to learn from our predecessors but we must focus on what we can implement and what we can lobby to get implemented so that we can help the lake and its ecosystems."

The public forum packed out Lake Cathie Bowling Club with a few hundred supporters and concerned residents coming to listen.

"We are all about going things for the betterment of the lake and we have an amazing board made up of local specialists and experts and we are all working together to form our strategic approach," she said.

"We are a big believer in that by doing the right thing we bring out the best in people and that is certainly what is happening with our group.

"We are visionary pioneers and the lake is in the worst state we have ever seen it in. Implementation of long term strategies is complex but we are all working hard so that our children can see the lake restored to its former beauty."

Mrs Maltman also said the lake is now in such bad shape that even great downpours of rain will not fix the problem now.

At the forum the goal was to educate the community on what has already been achieved and what are the next steps for the group.

"We have six priorities including creating policy to achieve improved water quality and the quality of the marine life habitat balanced with amenity for human use, assess immediate opportunity to address sand build up and review significant erosion on the northern ad southern side of the lake's entrance.

"This is just the beginning and we will keep working until we achieve our goals."

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