Council is proactively working to facilitate a swift opening of Lake Conjola.
While water levels in the lake are currently sitting below the licenced trigger for a mechanical opening, Council has received permission from NSW Crown Lands to undertake maintenance of the dry notch area, between the ocean and the lake.
Surveyors are onsite today along with staff assessing heavy machinery access. A 20-tonne excavator will be brought in to remove sand from behind the entrance of the lake, ahead of forecast rain over the Easter long weekend.
"We understand the community at Lake Conjola is feeling nervous about the forecast of rain this weekend, particularly given their experience with flooding during the two previous Easter periods," said Mayor Patricia White.
"I'd like residents at Lake Conjola to feel confident heading into the weekend knowing Council is doing what it can to prepare in the event that the lake's water level rises," Cr White said.
"We are doing everything we can, in accordance with our policies and licence agreements, to reduce the impact of flooding on the community at Lake Conjola," she said.
The maintenance work is being conducted in accordance with the updated Lake Conjola Entrance Management Policy (EMP), which was adopted by Council in 2025.
Currently, the water level in Lake Conjola is 0.91 metres.
Opening the lake at a level lower than the trigger is likely to be unsuccessful, however undertaking dry notch maintenance to reduce the sand burden behind the entrance will ensure a much more effective and efficient opening.
Council has also been notified by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) that the shorebird nesting season has ended and there is no nesting shorebirds present at the site, should heavy machinery be deployed to the area.
