We are now over 2 months into construction for Living Lakes – Stage 3 at Lake Ewlyamartup. The conditions have been favourable to date; however we are anticipating works will slow during winter. Together with the contractor, JAK Civil, we have developed a strategy to prolong this first construction period. The focus of the works to date has been to the north of the Katanning-Nyabing Road where drier conditions are required to construct the flushing channel. Once conditions are too wet in this area JAK Civil will shift to focus on the flushing channel and control structure on the southern side of the Katanning-Nyabing Road.  We will also be looking to commence preliminary works at Lake Yealering within the coming weeks. This will happen concurrently with works at Lake Ewlyamartup.

We have been holding fortnightly site meetings with the JAK Civil to monitor the progress of the works and to address any contract queries. Acid Sulphate Soil testing is being undertaken on the excavated material and the lime treatment being implemented is in accordance with the standards of the Acid Sulphate Soils Management Plan.

We have been liaising with the Shire of Katanning and the Lake Ewlyamartup Working Group on the Maintenance and Management Plan. The Shire of Katanning, together with the Lake Ewlyamartup Working Group has agreed to take responsibility for the maintenance and management of the works.

We have also completed the surveys for both lakes which aimed to gather information and input from the community for the Activation Plans. We had a reasonably good response to the surveys, obtaining 68 surveys for Lake Ewlyamartup and 25 for Lake Yealering. Those who competed the survey went into the draw for a chance to win a picnic set. This draw was held at Wheatbelt NRM offices on Wednesday 4th April 2018 and Matt Collis (Katanning) and Glenn Leeson (Wickepin) were drawn out by our CEO, Natarsha Woods. We are now in the process of analysing the survey data and will soon commence consultation with the Lake Ewlyamartup Working Group and the Lake Yealering Steering Committee to progress the Activation Plans.