General News
7 February, 2024
Bullen Merri trial fails
RESULTS of an 18-month trial have shown blue green algae issues in Lake Bullen Merri have not been solved
Corangamite Shire Council recently received the final report on the Lake Bullen Merri Blue Green Algae Control Pilot.
The project tested ultrasonic equipment intended to break up algae cells.
Shire manager environment and emergency Lyall Bond said an independent scientific advisor had analysed the pilot which was finished early last year.
“They found the process was not effective on the three key measures,” he said.
“There was no strong evidence of a change in algae densities from the previous or following year.
“There was also minimal disruption to the dominant cyanobacteria species.
“Sampling showed no significant changes in cell walls and cell counts across the study.”
Mr Bond said the report concluded technology and pontoon reliability would need to be optimised if future pilots or trials were to be considered.
He said the ultrasonics did not remove the nutrients from the lake, which is one of the main contributing factors to blue green algae blooms and further work would be beneficial to understand nutrient cycles at the lake.
The final report can be found at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/BGA
Shire mayor Kate Makin said it was “disappointing” the pilot did not provide a solution to the lake’s algae issues.
“Now that council has undertaken this pilot, we are hopeful that the lake managers will consider trailing or implementing other control programs,” she said.
“Lake Bullen Merri is a really special place for a lot of fishers and recreational boat users from across the shire and beyond.
“We want to see it in a healthy condition for use by our residents and visitors.”