New recreation facilities a drawcard for Lake Eppalock

27 July 2018

Residents and visitors of Central Victoria’s Lake Eppalock will have access to upgraded facilities following the completion of works at Kimbolton Foreshore, funded by the State Government.

Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan today opened a range of new recreation facilities at the Lake, near Bendigo.

The $400,000 project at Kimbolton Foreshore installed a new toilet block and barbecue shelter area, as well as better signage and landscaping. The project has also delivered two other smaller shelters and new pathways to connect these areas, including disabled access.

Lake Eppalock was built in 1964 to supply water for irrigation. Today, the lake supplies irrigation, environmental, and stock and domestic water as far north as Echuca, as well as providing urban supplies to Bendigo, Heathcote and other central Victorian towns.

Over time, the lake has become one of the most popular recreational inland waterways in Victoria and is an ideal location for water skiing, fishing, boating and swimming.

Earlier works completed as part of this Lake Eppalock package included construction of solar lighting at the lake, upgrades to Kimbolton carpark and boat ramp, installation of pre-launch preparation zones for vessels, new recycled plastic bollards and improved signs.

The project is a joint initiative between Goulburn-Murray Water, the Victorian Fisheries Authority and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

The State Government recognises the importance of having good visitor facilities at Victorian waterways to encourage more Victorians to use them for fishing, boating, camping and walking. That’s why this year’s budget made a $3.2 million investment for a two-year Boosting Recreational Water Use Initiative.

The State Government’s statewide water plan Water for Victoria acknowledges the recreational values of our water resources and the need to consider these in how we manage water.

In addition, new legislation has been introduced to enshrine recreational water values into law for the first time across Victoria – embedding recreational values into the decision-making of water managers.

These reforms recognise how essential waterways such as Lake Eppalock are to the health and wellbeing of communities in Victoria – attracting valuable tourism and boosting local business and jobs in the region.

Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan

“These vital upgrades will benefit locals and help attract more visitors to this beautiful area – boosting local jobs.” “We’re investing in waterways in Central Victoria and across the state, to ensure they remain a great place to visit for all Victorians.”