After months of uncertainty the Lake Cathie community is delighted with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's decision to open the lake to the ocean.
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At the November council meeting on November 21, council voted in favour of obtaining a one-off licence to open the lake.
Lake Cathie Progress Association president Vern Warner said the decision to open the lake is a great one.
"The Progress Association absolutely support council's decision to open the lake given the current condition of the lake," Mr Warner said.
"I think it is a great thing that needed to be done. It is an unprecedented situation but unfortunately we are in a no-win situation.
"We don't know what will happen when the lake opens but fish and marine animals are already dying and more fish may die opening the lake, but the ecosystem's long term health is at stake."
Mr Warner said he doesn't think opening the lake will have a big impact on Christmas trading but said something needs to be done.
"I think it is too late to make a real difference to the economy of the town this Christmas but we are all hoping the long term effects of the opening will be worth it," he said.
"The lake desperately needs water and we are hoping sand grading is done so that water can flow in and out gradually to help the lake long term rather than a channel being built."
A packed public gallery at the council meeting on November 20 heard the debate and the decision after Peta Pinson put forward a mayoral minute.
Lorraine Poulton said the town needed something to be hopeful about.
"Living at Lake Cathie, it is distressing and traumatising when we go across the bridge and see less and less water below," Ms Poulton said.
"To see the marine animals struggling is so upsetting and they need our help. We used to kayak in the lake and see crystal clear water and now my kayak is in storage."
Leonie Steinmetz said the deterioration of Lake Cathie is all the town is talking about and something needs to be done.
"It is all people in this town talk about, between the horrible bushfires and the state of the lake it isn't a very happy town right now," Ms Steinmetz said.
"We used to talk about walking along the lake collecting shells and swimming but that doesn't happen anymore.
"Hopefully this opening will be a good thing for the lake because I worry for the children who are worrying about seeing dead fish and other bad things when they come down here."
The council will appoint a contractor to open the lagoon entrance at the appropriate time, subject to licence approval which was submitted on November 21.
Sue Bullivant said she was delighted at the news Lake Cathie will be opened to the ocean once again.
"I am so pleased that we will finally see the lake opened again," Mrs Bullivant said.
"Am I concerned about more fish dying, yes, but I think the long term gain of a great lake again is worth the potential short term sadness."
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