FARMERS throughout western Victoria have been inundated with excess rain throughout spring, but there was a welcome silver lining announced on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The state government announced 10,000 megalitres of water would be transferred from Rocklands Reservoir to Lake Toolondo, essentially saving the renowned trout fishery, currently at just 10 per cent of capacity, from ruin.
Lake Toolondo has no significant natural catchment and is reliant on in-flow from Rocklands for its water.
The wet spring meant water levels in Rocklands exceeded trigger points, which water entitlement holders agreed would allow water to head to Toolondo.
The Toolondo community received the welcome boost on Tuesday night, the evening before the state government was due to make the announcement.
Water Minister Lisa Neville said initially the announcement was to be for the transfer of five gigalitres, but the heavy rain through the Rocklands catchment meant an extra five gigalitres was allocated to Toolondo.
“It is fantastic news and assures the lake’s future for at least the next two summers,” she said. Recreational fishers also rejoiced, with the state government announcing the release of 7000 yearling trout into the lake.
Minister for Fisheries Jaala Pulford said Toolondo had a special place in the hearts of Australian trout fishers.
“We know Lake Toolondo is special and produces some of the finest trout fishing on mainland Australia,” she said.
Trevor Holmes, who spearheaded a community campaign to save the lake, congratulated the government, the local Wimmera Mallee Catchment Management Authority and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water for their work in getting water back to the lake. Water is expected to run into the lake from now until December.
GWMWater’s storages are currently at 56 per cent, compared with 32 per cent at the same time last year.
Toolondo and its fish narrowly survived the past two years of drought primarily because of a five gigalitre allocation in January 2015.
The 10 gigalitre allocation is likely to take the 46 gigalitre lake to 35 per cent of capacity.