LAKE PROTEST STEPS UP

PROTESTERS are preparing to jump into the water if council trucks start filling in Black Swan Lake at Bundall.

It comes as the Council and Gold Coast Turf Club prepare to begin the process of filling in the native habitat “any day now”. “If I see a truck backing up, I will get my wetsuit on, grab my boogie board and I’ll get in the lake and stay there,” said protester Bronwyn Baker.

PROTESTERS are preparing to put their bodies on the line and jump into the water if Gold Coast City Council trucks start dumping dirt to fill in Black Swan Lake at Bundall.

It comes as Council and the Gold Coast Turf Club prepare to begin the process of filling in the native habitat “any day now”.

“If I see a truck backing up, I will personally get my wetsuit on, grab my boogie board, a bottle of water and I will get in the lake and stay there,” said protester and animal lover Bronwyn Baker.

“I cannot just sit by and watch that happen.

“We have people who live near by that will call straight away and we will be down there, jumping in the water with no hesitation.”

Originally the council had planned to collect “birds and chicks” to relocate them or “humanely euthanise” them if suitable relocations options were not viable.

However, Councillor Gary Baildon said the responsibility was now in the hands of the Turf Club, saying Council was not responsible for the welfare of the lake’s native animals.

Ms Baker said while swans and other native birds could be moved, other amphibians such as turtles and frogs would simply be “buried alive”.

She said she was afraid the birds would be euthanised rather than relocated.

“I picture them ringing their necks,” she said. “And what about all the other smaller amphibians they won’t catch?”

A Council spokesman said he could not comment on an exact time frame for when works would start.

The Turf Club were unavailable for comment last night.