Revive Lake Cathie president Danielle Maltman is urging residents to turn attend Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's June 19 meeting voice their support for immediate action on the lake's deteriorating health.
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At the meeting, the council is set to adopt its 2019-20 operational plan.
A review of the existing Lake Cathie Opening Strategy has been recommended.
This would be in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS), the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), NSW Fisheries and Department of Industry (DPI - Lands) and the community including the Revive Lake Cathie community group.
The Revive Lake Cathie group formed in 2019 after growing concern about the evaporating lake, water quality and its future.
Mrs Maltman said the group's submission to help future-proof the lakes in the 2019-2020 operational plan was declined for funding.
"It's disappointing news," Mrs Maltman said.
Council has sought advice from the state government to find out whether, as a result of the Revive Lake Cathie submission, the Lake Cathie Opening Strategy should be reviewed.
Revive Lake Cathie presented more than 700 submissions in response to the council's 2019-20 draft operational plan.
The submissions represented a collaboration of the group's volunteer research supported by 787 submissions from concerned community members.
Mrs Maltman told the May council meeting that the group sought an outstanding collaboration between community, local, state and federal government and all key stakeholders.
On June 17, Mrs Maltman said while the group's submission has been rejected for funding in the operational plan, it will continue to work with council and other stakeholders moving forward.
Mrs Maltman said it's important that stakeholders acknowledge that how they have been managing the lake to date has not been working. She said the environment and its animal inhabitants continue to suffer.
Based on prior research, Mrs Maltman said a sustained rain event isn't the only factor at play in saving the lake.
"There are a number of mitigating issues," she said.
A contingent from the Revive Lake Cathie action group will attend the Wednesday, June 19 meeting which starts at 5.30pm.
Mrs Maltman said high community attendance will reiterate that the situation at Lake Cathie is a high priority for the region.
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