Lethbridge Lake Boardwalk

L Lake boardwalk
Lethbridge

Council will begin preparation work to install a new boardwalk at the Lethbridge Lake on Thursday 23 February.

The new boardwalk, to be located at the north-west side of the lake, will feature fibre-reinforced polymer decking with concrete footings. To provide continuity between land and the boardwalk concrete approaches will also be installed. This new structure replaces the existing, ageing wooden boardwalk.

As part of the replacement works, Council will need to dewater the existing lake to a level where the lakebed is exposed along the alignment of the new boardwalk. This will require the lake water levels to be dropped approximately 800mm to 1000mm. A diesel pump will be used to dewater the lake, with excess water flowing into the Bruce Creek spillway. Dewatering will take approximately 3 to 4 days, with the pump operational only during work hours.

The lake will contain sufficient water levels at the altered depth to retain and allow existing aquatic life to remain healthy and active, and the works will be completed in stages from 23 February until 24 April.

For more information, please read the Frequently Asked Questions below, or contact Council’s Recreation and Community Infrastructure team on 03 5220 7111.

This $275,000 upgrade is being jointly funded by Council, contributing $95,000, and the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, contributing $180,000.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the project?
The project will feature the installation of a new boardwalk at the Lethbridge Lake within the Lethbridge Lake Reserve. This will replace the existing, ageing wooden structure with a Fibre Reinforced Polymer decking (see image below) with concrete footings and concrete approaches installed on the embankments.

What will be included in the boardwalk?
The boardwalk be 57m in length and 1.5m wide between kick rails (edging). It will have a viewing platform located centrally (3m by 2m) and will have concrete approaches installed on the embankments. Due to the soil profile containing rock at shallow depths, the piles supporting the boardwalk need to be founded into a 1650mm x 500mm x 400mm concrete pad footing for stability.

What are the timeframes/stages for the project?
Works are expected to commence on site from 23 February and will be completed in late April 2023. Indicative timeframes for each stage of the works (weather permitting) are as follows:

From 23 February 2023 

  • Water pump onsite and operational for diverting water from the lake into Bruce’s Creek.

From 6 March 2023

  • Demolition and removal of old wooden boardwalk.
  • Construction of new concrete footings and piles.

From 27 March 2023 

  • Completion of piles supporting boardwalk.
  • Installation of new boardwalk Fibre Reinforced Polymer in sections.

From 17 April 2023

  • Construction and curing of concrete approaches to the new boardwalk.

From 24 April 2023

  • Project completed and open to the public.

Why does water need to be removed? 
Despite scheduling in late summer, water levels in the lake are still too high to undertake the works due to extensive spring rainfall and cooler weather conditions. De-watering or diverting of water downstream into Bruces Creek will occur in late February using a diesel pump – which will only operate near the spillway in business hours and is to be located more than 100 metres from any housing. The additional flow of water into Bruces Creek will have a positive impact on this waterway and its ecosystems downstream.

How will these works impact the lake and access?
During construction, fencing and signage will be in place limiting public access to the impacted areas. Other spaces around the perimeter of the lake including the fishing pontoon, rotunda and toilets will still be accessible to the public. Sufficient water levels will be retained in the lake to allow existing the ecosystem and aquatic species to remain healthy.

Is the existing boardwalk to remain?
No, the existing boardwalk will be decommissioned and removed from site. Its condition was assessed as nearing end of life and is being replaced with a more modern and stable structure.

Where is the new boardwalk going?
The new boardwalk will be introduced at the north-west end of the lake just to the south of the existing reeds and in a similar location to the existing wooden structure that is being removed.

Who is completing the work under what authority?
Fleetwood Urban is the contractor completing the works on behalf of Council. The works have been approved by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA), Council as the landowner at Lethbridge Lake Reserve and approved by the Federal Government as an eligible project for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund.

Who is funding the projects?
The $275,000 project is funded as a joint venture between the Golden Plains Shire Council ($95,000) and the Federal Government under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure stream ($180,000).

For any further details contact Ben Jordan - Manager Recreation and Community Infrastructure
03 5220 7145 or [email protected].

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