People in Ballarat will have noticed weed clearing from Lake Wendouree and beautiful expanses of open water beginning to appear.

30% of the total lake weed area to be harvested has now been completed. This equates to 38 hectares and 700 compacted tonnes of weed.

City of Ballarat Councillor Judy Verlin said contractors were still on track to finish works in September.

‘The percentages are increasing each week. The crews are bringing back greater support vessels each time to carry weed from the lake. It’s getting it from the harvester, onto punts and across to the shoreline that takes up the most time, simply due to the large volume of weed’.

Cr. Verlin said questions had been raised about the weed growing back.

‘As it has in the past, the lake weed will continue to grow and require ongoing harvesting. That's the sign that it's a living, flourishing and healthy body of water.’

Residents are encouraged to pick up lake weed for their gardens free of charge from Victoria Park on Gillies St, opposite the Ballarat Transfer Station.