LAKE Toolondo has been handed a lifeline, with the State Government committing 5000 megalitres of water for the recreational waterway.
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Premier Daniel Andrews was joined by Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford and Environment and Water Minister Lisa Neville on Saturday to release water into the lake.
The water came from mineral sands miner Iluka Resources, with the State Government paying $100,000 in transportation costs.
‘‘In a very generous act, Iluka has effectively donated that water, an excess entitlement, back to the environment and back to recreational fishing,’’ Mr Andrews said.
GWMWater previously put a $500,000 price tag on 5000 megalitres of water.
The allocation will boost the lake from 16 per cent capacity – or 7424 megalitres – to about 27 per cent.
Asked whether the water allocation had set a precedent for other ailing Wimmera waterways, Mr Andrews said he did not make pre-election commitments about every recreational waterway.
‘‘It would be wrong to try to convince people that there is an unlimited supply – there clearly isn’t,’’ he said.
‘‘The case was strong here. This is a unique environment, it’s a stand-out environment in terms of trout fishing and a premier location, one that we need to protect and save and invest in and that’s exactly what we’ve done.
‘‘Any other bids, of course we’ve got an open door and we’re happy to sit down and listen and deal with issues on a case-by-case basis.’’
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said she welcomed the news for Lake Toolondo but was concerned about Labor’s plans for water management and allocation.
‘‘What is Labor’s water policy for the rest of the region? And where does it place farmers in the future in terms of allocation of water for stock and other purposes?’’ she said.
Ms Kealy questioned whether the government would help the region’s other recreational waterways such as Edenhope’s Lake Wallace, Natimuk Lake and Green Lake.
She said Labor had also been silent on water for Moyston farmers who were affected by fire.
‘‘We haven’t heard anything from Labor in terms of replenishing water stores which were taken for fire-fighting purposes a few weeks ago,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ve written to the water minister and haven’t received a response.’’
Toolondo spokesman Trevor Holmes said it was a massive result for recreational fishing and the wider community.
Mr Andrews said Toolondo was famous for its quality and numbers of fish.
‘‘We need to make sure that people in other states, people in other parts of the world know that this is the best brown trout fishing ground, the best fishery anywhere and we should be encouraging them to come and to spend up big,’’ he said.
Mr Holmes said there would be a range of economic benefits for the region through increased tourism.
The government will also establish the Lake Toolondo Recreational Fishing Advisory Group, led by former Agriculture Minister and Member for Ripon Joe Helper, to guide the lake’s future.
