The Department for Environment and Water is consulting about the future of series of lakes in the South East and is proposing a recreational hunting ban.
The department has released the South East Coastal Lakes Proposals Paper for public consultation and it is proposing banning hunting.
The plan focuses on the management six lakes including Lake Bonney SE at Millicent and Lake George at Beachport, along with Lake St Clair, Lake Eliza, Lake Hawdon North and Mullins Swamp.
The department first consulted the community on this matter in 2022, receiving important feedback about the use and value of the coastal lakes.
National Parks and Protected Area Program area manager Kym Rumbelow said this feedback enabled the department to explore areas for improvement in the management of the lakes.
“This has been integrated into a document that proposes a new way of managing the lakes into the future,” he said.
“DEW has been undertaking research and consultation on the community use and management of the South East coastal lakes over the past 12 months.
“This proposal document reflects what we learned in phase one.
“The community wants to enjoy the lakes and continue recreational activities in a managed way, whilst also increasing the conservation and protection of the environment.
“We developed the proposal document with input from First Nations, key stakeholders, park managers and technical experts.
“The paper provides an overview of which areas are proposed to remain Crown land, and which are proposed for proclamation under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
“The lakes are currently unalienated Crown land and DEW has been undertaking an engagement and planning process to identify opportunities to manage the lakes to ensure their unique features and values are protected into the future.”
Proposals also range from altering some boundaries and proclaiming some areas as conservation parks.
Four main themes were identified during phase one of the project and have been highlighted in the proposal.
The themes are based on each of the lakes recreational use and values, environmental values, cultural and European heritage, and management challenges.
A list of current and future permitted activities has also been included in the Lake George and Lake Bonney proposals.
Lake George is popular for duck hunting, as well as other recreational activities such as birdwatching, bushwalking, camping and kayaking. The only proposed change to activities at Lake George and Lake Bonney would see the ban of hunting, which is currently permitted.
Meanwhile dog walking and grazing may be allowed but subject to management planning and consultation.
Maps and concept drawing are provided in the document to support the proposals at each site. DEW encourages contributors ensure submissions are concise and clear.
“Once all submissions received have been carefully considered, a final proposal document will be prepared together with a detailed analysis of submissions received,” Mr Rumbelow said.
DEW intends to forward the final proposal and analysis to Climate, Environment and Water Minister for consideration.
Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower is looking to his council and the wider community to respond to the latest draft management strategies for the South East coastal lakes including Lake George and Lake Bonney.
“I circulated the consultation link to the elected members when we initially received it,” Mr Gower said.
“I have also asked that Department of Environment and Water’s correspondence be placed on the agenda for discussion at the June monthly council meeting.
“I also asked our media officer to promote the DEW survey through our social media channels so the community has the best chance to have their say.”
The 48-page proposal can be viewed in full online, along with a link to the ‘Your Say’ survey at yoursay.sa.gov.au/se-coastal-lakes-project.
Comments can be submitted via post, email or online and is open until July 3.
