Toolondo push gathers momentum

A rally to save Lake Toolondo, in the south-west Wimmera, attracted a crowd of over 300 on Sunday in Horsham and is shaping as a major issue in the up-coming State election in the seat of Lowan.

Locals say an allocation needs to occur in the next couple of weeks before fish start dying. Water is currently running near the lake meaning it can be filled without evaporation losses associated with water movement.

The event was attended by many from the local community who have been angered by what they see as a double standard in terms of water allocation and fishing enthusiasts from across the State.

The Labor Party has made positive noises about supporting a push for an emergency allocation of 5000 megalitres to keep the lake's eco-system alive, with the water level currently dangerously low, especially for the lake's famed trout population.

Independent for Lowan Katrina Rainsford spoke at Sunday's rally as did representatives for the Australian Country Alliance and the Australian Shooters and Fishers Party, but there was no one from the incumbent Napthine government.

Labor's pledge to consider the recreational benefits of Toolondo drew a scathing response from Water Minister Peter Walsh who said their decision was "irresponsible".

"The Victorian Labor Party has arrogantly disregarded the future water security of the district by promising to prioritise recreational fishing wishes above the stock and domestic supply needs of Wimmera Mallee families," he said.

He said Toolondo could not be filled at present as there was not enough water in the Grampians Wimmera Mallee system to allow water for the reservoir.

"It is an inefficient storage that loses too much to evaporation."

However, local Toolondo resident Carmel Officer said much of Mr Walsh's statement was based on inaccuracies.

"There has been more than enough water go down the Glenelg River in recent weeks in environmental flows out of Rocklands Reservoir to have supplied Toolondo with enough to keep it going over summer."

She said she resented the way supporters of Toolondo were being portrayed as environmentally irresponsible.

"We are not arguing with those downstream, we love the Glenelg as well, but I don't see what environmental benefits there are of running the river at close to minor flood levels out of Rocklands for ten days.

"If the catchment management authorities are trying to protect the environment why not have conditions mirror what is happening in this dry season and keep flows to the minimum needed for river health?"

Fishing expert Geoff Stock spoke at Sunday's rally and said the government should be embracing the lake as an international phenomenon.

"The lake is truly unique, its microclimate and ecology means there is nowhere in the world you can get the growth rates in trout you can get here, it is a very special place."

Mr Walsh said future water security in places that utilise the Wimmera Mallee pipeline could be jeopardised if Toolondo was filled.

Mrs Officer said, again, that claim was wrong.

"To get the small allocation we are asking for would take the equivalent of a cigarette paper of depth out of Rocklands.

"The channel is currently flowing right past Toolondo to fill another lake, so to suggest it means places will run out of water is wrong."

She also disputed Mr Walsh's view that Toolondo had a high evaporation rate.

"During the droughts of last decade it was one of the last lakes to dry up and even then it was because Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water pumped water out of it."

Mrs Officer said her local community, which contributes significant run-off to the GWM reservoir system, deserved its share of recreational water.

"The water is there, the channel is currently running so there would be no losses getting the water into Toolondo if they act now, so I just implore the authorities to move quickly and save the lake," she concluded.

Sufficient water has been found in the system to fill several smaller recreational lakes and creek weir pools throughout the Grampians Wimmera Mallee system this year, including several in Mr Walsh's own Swan Hill electorate.