Quarry could be flooded to create leisure lake

A GIANT freshwater lake could soon appear on the western boundary of Geelong, hiding the former Batesford quarry under 48 billion litres of limestone-filtered water.

Operators of the quarry are moving ahead with plans to transform the hole in the ground into a 30m deep, 1.64sq km lake by turning off pumps and allowing it to naturally fill — a process that could take several years.

The operators envisage the lake will be publicly accessible and used for non-motorised water sports such as sailing, rowing, and paddleboarding.

“(Operator) Adelaide Brighton and our partners would like to ensure that following completion of rehabilitation, the quarry site can be an asset for the enjoyment of the Geelong residents and visitors,” Adelaide Brighton chief executive Nick Miller said.

“We are looking forward to council’s recommendations on proposals that the current working quarry becomes a lake with adjoining open space for public recreation, following completion of the quarry rehabilitation program,” he said.

Neighbouring landowner Bill McCann said: “My family has enjoyed this area along the river for generations and we would like to leave something behind that future generations of people can continue to use and enjoy.”

The Batesford quarry was established in the 1800s by the McCann family to supply limestone for cement, with production eventually wrapping up in 2001.