Tar is proving to be a sticky problem for users of the Millicent Swimming Lake with particles lodging on feet, bathers and aquatic play equipment.
Reaction has been mixed with some swimmers unaffected while others have had to put their children in discomfort to remove the tar particles from their soles.
The tar is a legacy of a $132,000 asphalt-laying process late last year which was aimed to reduce water leakage.
Wattle Range Council engaged roadworks contractors to do the work and water usage has almost halved in comparison to a year ago.
It is currently 291 kilolitres per day compared to 502 kilolitres in January of 2024.
The council is monitoring the situation and erected signs near the wading area.
“The Millicent Swimming Lake floor has been freshly sealed and we have had reports that on hot days areas of the sealed surface can be sticky,” the signs read.
“The sticky surface has left black marks on pool toys, hands and feet.
“Please discourage children from digging in the sand along the shallow edges of the lake.
“It is not harmful and is best removed by using a citrus-based hand cleaner.”
The situation has prompted a large number of hostile comments on social media.
The SE Voice called at the lake on Sunday afternoon when the temperature was in the 30s and about 150 swimmers were present.
Lakeside Deli proprietor Shaun Sparkes said he had fielded a number of complaints about the tar particles and referred them to the council.
Mr Sparkes said he did not believe the tar particles had stopped anyone from using the lake and patronage levels remained high.
“I tell people the alternative would be to shut the lake,” Mr Sparkes said.
Millicent resident Dave Foster said he was a regular user of the lake and had experienced no problems whatsoever.
“I live only 100 metres from the lake,” Mr Foster said.
“I come here every night with my two daughters whenever the temperature is over 30 degrees.”
Others concur, stating the northern end of the lake has no problems with tar particles.
However, five-year-old twin boys Akumah and Phoenix Bui were disappointed the tar particles stained their life jackets which they wear when using their
kayak.
Another complainant is former Mount Bur resident Curtis Hardy who has had the tar particles stick to the soles of his feet.
“It is not a great situation as you can feel them (tar particles) when you walk along,” Mr Hardy said.
“They are hard to come off.”
Similar concerns were expressed by a Millicent man who said three members of his family were affected.
He said the tar particles were painful to remove.
Meanwhile, water usage at the lake is currently well below a year ago according to the staff of Wattle Range Council.
Their data is part of a staff report to the next monthly council meeting tonight (Tuesday).
“Despite only being open for six weeks, the results are positive,” program manager Craig Turner reported.
“The average daily usage last season 2023/24 was 502 kL while the average daily usage this season so far 2024/25 is 291 kL.
“Officers will continue to monitor usage to establish a more reliable average, which fluctuates based on swimmer numbers and evaporation rates.”
Extensive leakage was found in mid-2023 and a number of remedial measures have since been undertaken, including the bitumen reseal.
