Aseaside community leader wants local control of Lake George to continue and has called on Wattle Range Council to unequivocally resist any moves to cede any part of it to the National Parks system.

The suggestion to change the existing Lake George Crown Lands dedication is part of the Department of Environment and Water’s Coastal Lakes Review and has the personal support of Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll.

The Lake George middle basin is proposed to be proclaimed as a conservation park from its midpoint south, including the southern basin.

However, Councillor Sharon Cox has put forward an alternative stance which will be debated at the monthly council meeting in Millicent this afternoon.

Cr Cox was elected to council 17 years ago and currently represents Kintore ward which takes in Lake George.

Her motion calls on Wattle Range Council to support its local communities and ratepayers along with the Lake George Management Committee and Beachport District Development Association with the position of the local community control of Lake George.

Cr Cox explained that a meeting was held at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre on July14 and was attended by up to 400 people including several elected members of Wattle Range Council.

“There were presentations given by various different user groups of Lake George,” Cr Cox said.

“All presenters and attendees strongly supported by a show of hands there be no changes to the current control of Lake

George.

“I therefore hope that you will all support my motion.

“Lake George is extremely important to all South Australians.

“In fact, the reach goes even further to international visitors for bird watching, wind surfing world records etc.”