Our Environment
Being by the water in a friendly community is why we love living here.
We enjoy a unique waterway lifestyle and we all have a role to play to help maintain and protect our environment.
You can do your bit to keep this special place in the best possible condition by:
- not disturbing or removing sand, rocks or other natural features
- controlling and cleaning up after your pets
- not feeding or leaving out scraps for birds
- making sure you follow fishing rules and regulations
- using low phosphate detergents and fertilisers
- helping look after weeds in the Tidal Waterways
- helping look after stormwater quality in the Quiet Lakes.
The Natural Environment
Sand, rocks and other natural features must not be disturbed or removed to prevent erosion.
Erosion of this kind leads to increased maintenance costs as the beaches need to be replenished and the waterways dredged to maintain adequate depth for boats.
Pets
Pets are welcome at Patterson Lakes, but owners must take care to control their animals to ensure the environment we all enjoy is not spoilt.
Unfortunately, issues relating to dogs or stray animals have been a problem in the past. This is due to our many open spaces within the reserve.
Please prevent your cat from roaming off your property, using the sand beaches as a toilet and preying on the native bird population.
Please also don't allow your dog to enter the water, pollute the water or the reserve with their droppings, or be a nuisance to others.
There are designated 'off leash' areas for dogs provided by Kingston City Council. The nearest are:
- Roy Dore Reserve, 7 Dyson Road, Carrum
- Bonbeach Sports Reserve, 103 Scotch Parade, Bonbeach
- Chelsea Bicentennial Park, 100 Thames Promenade, Chelsea
- Amaroo Drive Reserve, 21 Amaroo Drive, Chelsea Heights
Thanks for helping keep Patterson Lakes beautiful and a place that everyone can enjoy.
Bird feeding
Please do not feed or leave scraps out for Seagulls, Pelicans, ducks or other birds. Feeding them harms their health and the environment.
Fishing
The Tidal Waterways are a rich and diverse breeding nursery for fish and other aquatic animals.
The Fisheries Act (1995) and regulations apply in the Tidal Waterways. Residents who fish are required to hold a current recreational fishing licence (though the Act does contain exemptions relating to age).
Purchasing a licence is simple. To find out how to obtain one visit the Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Recreational Fishing Licence page online. Alternatively you can call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Low Phosphorous Detergents and Garden Fertilisers
Phosphates used in laundry detergents and other cleaning products have a negative impact on water quality. Please use low phosphate detergents for laundry or general cleaning, especially when using grey water on lawns.
Phosphorus is a plant nutrient that is naturally present in waterways and soil in very low concentrations. Phosphorus is also contained in many fertilisers.
By reducing the amount the synthetic or organic fertilisers that you use you are helping to improve the water quality.
Protecting our Aquatic Environment in the Tidal Waterways
The Tidal Waterways and canals provide a home and breeding areas for many birds, fish, plants and other aquatic creatures.
This environmental importance adds value to our community.
It is maintained and operated to be suitable and attractive for boating and other recreational activities including canoeing, kayaking and sailing and swimming.
Excessive weed growth in the Tidal Waterways can occur at times and have a negative impact on the environment.
The most common types of weeds that grow are commonly found in marine environments and estuaries throughout Victoria. They include: filamentous algae, sea lettuce and sea grass.
No identified health risks are associated with these weeds, however, human contact should be avoided as there have been reports of allergic reactions.
Residents may rake weeds deposited above the high water mark on beaches and canals and Melbourne Water will collect as part of the scheduled rubbish collections.
Water Quality in the Quiet Lakes
The Quiet Lakes are brackish (a mix of salty and fresh water) and are not affected by tidal changes - as they do not connect directly to Port Phillip Bay.
The Quiet Lakes are an integral part of the local drainage system. Following significant rainfall they store stormwater runoff until it can be discharged back into Patterson River.
The Quiet Lakes are exposed to runoff from the surrounding streets, especially following significant rain. Litter, uncontrolled pets and incidents such as accidental spills can also have a significant impact on water quality.
While Melbourne Water's maintenance program aims to keep the water quality at a suitable level for swimming and other recreation activities, the quality of the water cannot be guaranteed at all times.
Blue-green algae has also been a persistent problem in the lakes for some years. It exists in all open waterways and there is no simple, inexpensive, permanent way of removing it.
In 2010 Melbourne Water investigated several major infrastructure options to reduce blue-green algae, including increasing bore water supplies, diverting water from nearby rivers and a building a wet land to filter nutrients. The community was asked to vote in a ballot on whether to increase rates to fund such a project, but voted 'no' to the increase in rates that it would require.
Other potential solutions have also been trialled over past years, including an Algal Block trial and an Aeration trial. To date, none of these has been successful in consistently and practically bringing blue-green algae levels below the threshold set by the Victorian Government for recreational water used for "primary contact" such as swimming. These investigations and trials have not been funded by the Quiet Lakes precept rates.
Melbourne Water is continuing to work with aquatic scientists, and in consultation with the community, to put together a draft plan to make minor improvements to the lakes. The aim of these lower cost improvements is to achieve small reductions in blue-green algae levels over time. For more information contact Melbourne Water.
Click here for the results of the regular water quality monitoring that Melbourne Water undertakes in the Quiet Lakes.
You can help look after our local environment by:
- cleaning up after dogs and cats
- not feeding seagulls, pelicans , ducks or other birds – it is not good for their health or the environment
- stopping litter from entering drains and the lakes, including lawn clippings
- washing your car at a licensed car wash
- avoiding the use of fertilisers
- reporting sewers that are leaking or blocked immediately to South East Water on 131 694
- reporting illegal fishing activities to the Department of Primary Industries’ offence reporting line on 13 3474.
