After the mercury soared well above 35 degrees Celsius this week Lake Lonsdale Action Group president Ray Howard said conditions of the foreshore posed a great fire risk. 

“GWM Water are supposed to be cutting it – we’re almost at Christmas and there will be a lot of Christmas and New Year campers out there,” he said. 

“I am predicting for there to be quite a lot of activity out there this year and at the start of next year, so it definitely needs to be a priority for the safety of campers and residents.”

Mr Howard said continued maintenance of the foreshore was a crucial issue after consistent rainfall over the past three months led to increased water levels at the lake. 

“It hasn’t been too much of an issue in the past few years because it hasn’t had much water and fish in it, but this year after all the rain the lake is full and there are plenty of fish,” he said.

Stawell resident Terri-Lee Campion visited Lake Lonsdale last week and said she was disappointed by the “neglected” state of the area. 

“I went for a drive out to the Sandbar at Lake Lonsdale and I was disappointed to see that GMW have neglected the area and the grass is overgrown this year and taller than myself in some places,” she said. 

“It is not very safe for the public and a fire risk.

“Camping has been re-opened and the area is a huge draw card for tourists for the region – It is not a very welcoming sight in summer.”

But GWM Water spokesman Andrew Rose assured slashing works were carried out this week.

“The Manager of this area has confirmed my understanding and the contractor was scheduled to be on site this week to slash the grass,” he said. 

“It is always a fine balancing act to ensure that we time slashing works to maximise its benefit, we don’t want to start slashing too late and equally we don’t want to do it too early.”