Boating and fishing enthusiasts and lake users will benefit from the resumption of Aquatic weed harvesting on Lake Wendouree this week (04/05).

Harvesting is being carried out on the eastern and southern shore of the lake.

The Weed Cutter is operating on the eastern shore of the lake between the start of the rowing course and Gills Boatshed until tomorrow (05/05).

On Friday (06/05), it will work in the area south of View Point.

It will be harvesting weed between the shore and 20 metres out and delivering the harvested weed direct via conveyor to skips placed on the lake edge.

The works are a supplement to an earlier lake weed harvesting program carried out in February March this year.

A full harvesting program will resume in Spring, ahead of the summer boating season.

The City of Ballarat has called for Expressions of Interest in weed harvesting to commence ahead of next summer’s boating season.

The EOI closes next Wednesday May 11.

Portfolio Councillor for Growth and Development Judy Verlin said the weed harvesting followed on from harvesting carried out on the lake earlier this year.

“The machine currently being used will be able to efficiently cut the water ribbons, water milfoil and tall spike rush close to the lakebed,” Cr Verlin said.

It is hoped that following the harvest the predominant weed “Water Ribbons” will be replaced by “Water Milfoil”.”

Water Milfoil is easier to harvest, navigate watercraft through and is easier to use for composting and mulching in gardens.”

The work is likely to defer the need to harvest the areas close to shore until next summer.

It will also give Council and contractors valuable data on the amount of weed likely to be harvested in other areas of the lake next Spring.

Weed harvested from the lake will be made available to members of the public for composting or use as garden mulch from early next week.

The harvested weed will be able to be picked up from opposite the Gillies Street transfer station in Victoria Park.

Lake weed was not made available earlier this year because previous site where it was deposited allowed leachates from the weed to flow into stormwater systems.

The proposed collection point for residents is located away from stormwater drains.