MEDIA STATEMENT - Lake Ewlyamartup Vandalism

Published on Friday, 16 May 2025 at 9:35:06 AM

MEDIA STATEMENT 

Lake Ewlyamartup Vandalism 

It was found on Tuesday that an unknown group of people have, without authority, removed all the panels in the Lake Ewlyamartup Flushing Channel Gate sometime over the last week.

This has drained the lake beyond the minimum acceptable water depth, putting into jeopardy the food sources for the waterbirds who rely on Lake Ewlyamartup and has also required changes to the early winter flushing management plan.

Since this discovery, Landcare and Lake Ewlyamartup Working Group volunteers have retrieved and reinstated the panels to prevent any further water loss from this critical wildlife drought refuge.

Katanning Landcare’s Senior Officer Ella Maesepp says “the opening and closing of the flushing channel at Lake Ewlyamartup is carefully controlled and takes into account the salinity of water in both the lake and the stream system above it, the timing and quantity of rainfall and the needs of the waterbirds who rely on it.  It’s not for just anyone to decide when to open it.  The impact of this unauthorised and inconsiderate action will detrimentally alter the flushing regime we can achieve this coming winter.”

Shire of Katanning President Kristy D’Aprile says “it is timely to remind everyone that community infrastructure, like the Lake Ewlyamartup Flushing Channel Gate, is not to be tampered with and if caught, significant penalties apply.”

Community members with any enquiries about Lake Ewlyamartup's water management are invited to contact Katanning Landcare on 9821 4327.