Water skiers will be able to take to the waters of Lake Learmonth for the first time in a decade this Easter, following the lifting of a 5 knot speed limit on the lake.

Council has received approval from Transport Safety Victoria to lift the 5 knot speed restriction which has been in place on the Lake since it refilled in September 2010.

Council workers were on site this morning putting updated signage in place to ensure the Lake is ready for an influx of visitors this long weekend.

Ballarat City North Ward Councillor John Philips said the lifting of the speed restriction was good news for regional water skiers.

“This is critical to Ballarat as a destination over Easter, particularly as Lake Burrumbeet is closed due to Blue Green Algae”, Cr Philips said.

“The 5 knot speed restriction was applied to a number of regional lakes as they began to refill in the aftermath of the September 2010 floods.  It was an essential measure in order to warn boat users of the possible presence of submerged obstacles and the absence of markers, signage and buoys from lakes that had been dry for many years.

“Council has been working with Transport Safety Victoria and the Lake Learmonth Advisory Committee to ensure the hazards in the Lake have been removed.  Signage and markers have been installed to ensure that yachts, power boats and small unpowered craft can all operate safely on the lake”, Cr Philips said.

Council’s Director of Growth and Development Eric Braslis said the current zoning on the Lake was under review to ensure adequate separation was provided between fast moving boats and skiers, and swimmers, yachts and small craft.

“This will involve an audit by Transport Safety Victoria and a new zoning schedule to be drafted with GPS coordinates”, Mr Braslis said.

“Council encourages all users of its lakes to take notice of regulatory and warning signs installed at all boat ramps”.

Lake Burrumbeet is currently closed due to the presence of toxic blue green algae. This is being monitored weekly and last week’s laboratory samples were showing signs of reduced levels of algae. Once 2 weeks’ worth of samples have been recorded with levels acceptable under the Department of Health guidelines, the lake will be re-opened.