Lake Ainsworth - is positive change around the corner?
Lake Ainsworth 1960s, photo courtesy of the Lennox Head Heritage Committee.
Is positive change around the corner for Lake Ainsworth? With Council releasing new plans for the south eastern precinct... maybe? I thought it was worth reflecting on the journey of our Lake so far. When did the problems with the Lakes health begin? And what was it that sparked our community to drive change?
Below is a timeline of the Lakes journey as we know it. No doubt, I have missed some poignant moments, for which I apologise for in advance.
Pre-european settlement: Lake Ainsworth is used by indigenous people as a women’s birthing place and a healing lake.
1842: First europeans come to the North Creek area, in search of cedar trees. Farming families follow around 20 years later.
1893: Lake Ainsworth and surrounds is proclaimed as a Reserve.
1922: Lennox village has its first subdivision, and by 1943 has a population of 149.
1940’s: Sydney Gibbon builds the Lakes first diving tower.
1950’s and 60’s: Lennox village becomes well established. Lake Ainsworth is a very popular recreation spot, activities include speed boating and water skiing. Sydney Gibbon builds a 2nd diving tower, to replace the first. Septic tanks and a commercial laundry (dates unsure) discharge waste into the Lake.
1967: Lennox is hit by a fierce cyclone which lasts three days. High seas break through low section of dunes and salt water enters Lake Ainsworth.
???: Mosquito fish and Bass are introduced into the Lake.
1980’s: Community concern for the health of the Lake rises as the Lake suffers from blue-green algae outbreaks and sewage seepage. A major blue-green algae outbreak occurs in 1986.
1993: Council begin to regularly monitor blue-green algae in the Lake.
1996: Continued pressure from the Lennox Head Residents Association drives the first comprehensive study on the Lake to be undertaken, the ‘Lake Ainsworth Process study.’
1997: Council makes an urgent attempt to address blue-green algae problems by installing a ‘bubble plume aerator’ in centre of the Lake. The aerator (still in use today) is designed to circulate and de-stratify the Lakes waters - this in turn, decreases the amount of phosphorus being released from sediments into the water column.
1999: Aquatic weeds are a problem and a weevil is introduced into the Lake to help control the noxious weed, Salvinia.
2002: ‘Independent Inquiry into NSW Coastal Lakes’ classifies Lake Ainsworth as significantly degraded. ‘Lake Ainsworth Management Plan’ is produced.
2003: The Lake has another major blue-green algae outbreak and is closed for 170 days.
2006: 'Lake Ainsworth Master plan' is produced and adopted by Council. Council receives grant funding to carry out major aquatic weed control.
2008: Boom is installed at the north end of Lake to help control Salvinia (boom is still used today and looks like a big black ag pipe).
2009: Regular monitoring of faecal pollution (aka poo pollution) in the Lake begins, as part of NSW Governments Beachwatch program.
2011: Population of Lennox Head is 6,147.
2012: 20 people become ill, allegedly after swimming in the Lake after heavy rain.
2014: The Lake continues to be a popular recreation spot and a social hub for many locals. Faecal pollution is on the rise and blue-green algae continues to be a problem in summer months. Council has $1.3m to spend on works to improve the health and amenity of Lake Ainsworth.
Check out Councils new plans for the Lake on their website, and decide for yourself whether what’s on offer is enough to restore our much loved Lake?? If you don’t think so - now’s the time to use your voice. Consultation period closes on November 21.
* If you are interested in seeing Lennox Head Landcares submission on Councils new plans for Lake Ainsworth, please click here.
Below is a timeline of the Lakes journey as we know it. No doubt, I have missed some poignant moments, for which I apologise for in advance.
Pre-european settlement: Lake Ainsworth is used by indigenous people as a women’s birthing place and a healing lake.
1842: First europeans come to the North Creek area, in search of cedar trees. Farming families follow around 20 years later.
1893: Lake Ainsworth and surrounds is proclaimed as a Reserve.
1922: Lennox village has its first subdivision, and by 1943 has a population of 149.
1940’s: Sydney Gibbon builds the Lakes first diving tower.
1950’s and 60’s: Lennox village becomes well established. Lake Ainsworth is a very popular recreation spot, activities include speed boating and water skiing. Sydney Gibbon builds a 2nd diving tower, to replace the first. Septic tanks and a commercial laundry (dates unsure) discharge waste into the Lake.
1967: Lennox is hit by a fierce cyclone which lasts three days. High seas break through low section of dunes and salt water enters Lake Ainsworth.
???: Mosquito fish and Bass are introduced into the Lake.
1980’s: Community concern for the health of the Lake rises as the Lake suffers from blue-green algae outbreaks and sewage seepage. A major blue-green algae outbreak occurs in 1986.
1993: Council begin to regularly monitor blue-green algae in the Lake.
1996: Continued pressure from the Lennox Head Residents Association drives the first comprehensive study on the Lake to be undertaken, the ‘Lake Ainsworth Process study.’
1997: Council makes an urgent attempt to address blue-green algae problems by installing a ‘bubble plume aerator’ in centre of the Lake. The aerator (still in use today) is designed to circulate and de-stratify the Lakes waters - this in turn, decreases the amount of phosphorus being released from sediments into the water column.
1999: Aquatic weeds are a problem and a weevil is introduced into the Lake to help control the noxious weed, Salvinia.
2002: ‘Independent Inquiry into NSW Coastal Lakes’ classifies Lake Ainsworth as significantly degraded. ‘Lake Ainsworth Management Plan’ is produced.
2003: The Lake has another major blue-green algae outbreak and is closed for 170 days.
2006: 'Lake Ainsworth Master plan' is produced and adopted by Council. Council receives grant funding to carry out major aquatic weed control.
2008: Boom is installed at the north end of Lake to help control Salvinia (boom is still used today and looks like a big black ag pipe).
2009: Regular monitoring of faecal pollution (aka poo pollution) in the Lake begins, as part of NSW Governments Beachwatch program.
2011: Population of Lennox Head is 6,147.
2012: 20 people become ill, allegedly after swimming in the Lake after heavy rain.
2014: The Lake continues to be a popular recreation spot and a social hub for many locals. Faecal pollution is on the rise and blue-green algae continues to be a problem in summer months. Council has $1.3m to spend on works to improve the health and amenity of Lake Ainsworth.
Check out Councils new plans for the Lake on their website, and decide for yourself whether what’s on offer is enough to restore our much loved Lake?? If you don’t think so - now’s the time to use your voice. Consultation period closes on November 21.
* If you are interested in seeing Lennox Head Landcares submission on Councils new plans for Lake Ainsworth, please click here.
Article published in Lennox Wave November 2014
