Walkers Lake

Walkers Lake is a freshwater lake, located adjacent to the old Avon Plains School, approximately 26 kilometres from Donald, 32 kilometres from St Arnaud and 40 kilometres from Minyip.

Walkers Lake and its surrounds are situated on crown land previously purposed for the management of wildlife and preservation of wildlife habitat. In 2014, the land was repurposed for public recreation. The reserve consists of approximately 80 hectares, an even balance of natural/built environment and the lake itself which, in turn, is around 2.5 to 3 metres deep with a volume of approximately 900 ML.

Historically, with its freshwater and rich food resources, Walkers Lake provided a favourable area to live and camp for the Dja Dja Wurrung People and for the peoples that lived or travelled through the area.  The lake has since been a celebrated feature of the area, with a long history of recreational use; activities such as camping, fishing, yabbying, swimming, skiing and hunting, in season, are currently enjoyed by local, regional and visiting communities.

The Donald Angling Club has previously stocked the lake with golden perch and Fisheries Victoria has stocked it with Murray Cod. VRFish have stocked the lake with Golden Perch and there is also a population of English Perch (Redfin) found in the lake.

In 2013, following support from local community members, Northern Grampians Shire Council placed notices in the North Central News seeking community members interested in forming an interim advisory group to identify and progress ongoing support for the utilisation of Walkers Lake and the need for pipeline-delivered recreation water. The meeting was well attended, with community members, appointed advisory group members, councillors, agencies, and council staff present, and clear support for the immediate need to progress requesting a pipeline water supply to the lake. Furthermore, discussions were entered into regarding future management arrangements so as to ensure that any current water based recreational opportunities were progressed. During the meeting it was noted that the lake had been subjected to recreational activity for decades, when suitable water regimes were available, and that the current natural attributes of the lake had remained relatively intact. 

The main management objective is to foster an environment where the natural and cultural values of Walkers Lake biodiversity are protected and enhanced and that opportunities to access and enjoy the lake are facilitated in a sustainable way. High priority management challenges affecting Walkers Lake include:

  • The impact of camping and increased usage
  • Loss of native flora and fauna
  • Protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage sites
  • Provision of designated public access
  • Unauthorised access and activities impacting on environmental and cultural heritage values
  • Unmanaged weeds and pests
  • Sympathetically designed infrastructure
  • Provision of public amenities
  • Education and awareness of the way we treat the environment and how we all must work together to ensure a sustainable natural eco-system, a place that caters for all needs, including people, for the long-term

 

 

 

Project

Responsibility

When

Inspections

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Monthly

Water supply

GWM Water

March and August yearly (pending rainfall)

Toilet maintenance (pump out)

Northern Grampians Shire Council

November each year

Fish stocking

VR Fish

TBC

Slashing/Fire management

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Carried out in December 2022 (continually monitored)

Water quality testing

Northern Grampians Shire Council

February 2023

 

Boating and Recreation

Project

Responsibility

When

Boat Ramp - Slippery Surface work

Northern Grampians Shire Council

 

Once high-water levels drop to manageable levels

Boating Rules - Buoys (near boat ramp)

Northern Grampians Shire Council

 

Once high-water levels drop to manageable levels

Review signage (replace faded printing)

Northern Grampians Shire Council

 

Once high-water levels drop to manageable levels

 

Map Design

Project

Responsibility

When

Camp Sites - Mapping and Management

Northern Grampians Shire Council/ Walkers Lake Advisory group

May-August 2023, mapping and decisions

Fire Pit - Location and Construction

Northern Grampians Shire Council/ Walkers Lake Advisory group

May-August 2023, mapping and decisions

Dump Point

Northern Grampians Shire Council/ Walkers Lake Advisory group

May-August 2023, mapping and decisions

 

Weed and Native Species - Mapping and Management

Project

Responsibility

When

Scotch Thistle

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Mapping complete November 2022

Contractor engagement September 2023

African Boxthorn

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Mapping complete November 2022

Contractor engagement May and September 2023

Horehound

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Mapping complete November 2022

Contractor engagement May and September 2023

Other weeds following flood

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Mapping TBC

Contractor engagement September 2023

 

Native Species - Protection Zones (4 zones identified November 2022)

Project

Responsibility

When

Zone 1

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Group Approval February-March 2023. Bollards

Zone 2

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Group Approval February-March 2023. Fence (Lunette)

Zone 3

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Group Approval February-March 2023. Fence (Southwest)

Zone 4

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Group Approval February-March 2023. Bollards (old access track)

 

Regeneration Works

Project

Responsibility

When

Eastern Camp - Lunette bank

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Group Approval February 2023

Dja Dja Wurrung Consent March-April 2023

Contractor Engaged May 2023

Southeastern Corner incl erosion controls and track diversion

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Group Approval February 2023

Dja Dja Wurrung Consent March-April 2023

Contractor Engaged May 2023

Mapping, Schedule and Works including signage and barrier flags

Northern Grampians Shire Council/ Walkers Lake Advisory group

Mapped December 2022

 

Pest Management

Project

Responsibility

When

Rabbit (Fumigation)

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Mapped December 2022
Contractor Engaged February-April 2023

Rabbit (Burrow Ripping)

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Mapped December 2022

Group Approval February 2023

Dja Dja Wurrung Consent March-April 2023

Contractor Engaged May 2023

 

Signage

Project

Responsibility

When

Signage - Rules (design and construction)

Northern Grampians Shire Council/ Walkers Lake Advisory group

Design phase October-December 2022

Group Approval Feburary-March 2023

Construction August-October 2023

Signage - Development (recreation, biodiversity, cultural, wayfinding, speed, projects, etcetera) and Construction

Northern Grampians Shire Council/ Walkers Lake Advisory group

Design phase October-December 2022

Group Approval May-June 2023

Construction August-October 2023