Lake of ‘let down’
Inside Residents want action, recreation return Forensic backlog hits case LUXURY
Frustrated Mermaid Waters residents say council doesn’t have a “Plan B” to save a popular swimming lake impacted by toxic blue green algae.
Lake Hugh Muntz has been closed since January 25.
According to residents the closure was “expected” as a Phoslock treatment issued for August 2023 never occurred.
Gold Coast City Council confirmed in a community newsletter that it was unable to secure a provider for the algae treatment.
Concerns have been raised about dogs suffering from ear infections, bad smells emitting from the lake and rashes on swimmers prior to the area being closed. Residents say they are fed up with the ongoing confusion surrounding the lake.
John McManus has lived in the area for over 20 years.
“We’re a community that just want to enjoy the lifestyle that we’ve had to pay for and that lifestyle is enhanced by the lake,” Mr McManus said.
“As a community we feel incredibly let down because of lack of consultation and lack of communication.”
Division 12 candidate Cathy Osborne said the lake’s purpose had been “redefined”, the community with questions than answers.
“When you look back historically you can see it has been a recreational training area communities have enjoyed for years,” she said.
“These closures (for algae) started about 10 years ago and all of a sudden the definition then gets changed. I had a
TICKETS ESSENTIAL more meeting with council recently where the water body said it’s actually a borrow pit – a drainage of stormwater into a body of water to mitigate flooding in the area.
“Stakeholders have been in this area for a long time and have invested a lot in rates – what are they getting for their return? Particularly when this lake is such an important part of this community’s lifestyle.
“People purchased on this lake believing it was an accessible lake for recreational activities – now they’re saying ‘no, it’s just a borrow pit’. Well, their rates don’t reflect that. They’re paying some of the most premium rates here on the Coast.”
Mr McManus said: “One moment we’re being told it’s not designed for swimming, the next it’s safe for swimming.
“Modify the lake so people can use it – even if it’s only for summer. The alternate is it becomes a giant, smelly lilypond.”
Gold Coast City Council and Division 12 councillor Pauline Young were both contacted for comment.
A woman charged with helping the father of her child flee after he allegedly fatally stabbed another man has fronted court as the pair’s legal team faces “significant” forensic backlogs.
Jade Brenda Laing, 31, is charged with accessory to murder in relation to the fatal stabbing of Dylan McPadden outside RQ’s Tavern, Robina, on August 17 last year. It is alleged Tyler Rewi Malcolm Hailes had arrived at the pub only minutes before stabbing Mr McPadden, 26, in the chest.
He allegedly fled the scene in a car with Ms Laing, but was arrested at a Mermaid Beach motel in the early hours of the next day.
The 26-year-old was charged with murder and has been behind bars since.
Ms Laing would not be arrested and charged with her alleged involvement for another two months, with the court told during her successful bail application that she shared a then-six-month-old child with her co-accused.
In Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, Mr Hailes’ lawyer Lisa Searing said her client was “considering his position” while waiting for the final forensic evidence to be disclosed. Prosecutor Sammi Dustchke confirmed a “significant backlog” meant the remaining material would take about six weeks.
Both cases were adjourned to March 28. your next holiday awaits