Plans to excavate channel at Lake Conjola

Published on 21 April 2025

Council has been granted permission by the NSW Government to open Lake Conjola to the sea prior to it reaching the water height trigger level of 1 metre AHD, for the purposes of flood mitigation.  

With the lake water levels currently sitting at 0.92 metres AHD, Council yesterday mobilised excavation equipment in preparation for the forecast rain to ensure the ability to promptly intervene.  

Overnight, an exemption to the NSW Crown Lands Licence was granted to allow the commencement of opening of Lake Conjola to the sea, in accordance with the Interim Lake Conjola Entrance Management Policy and Crown Lands licence, and subject to the safety of the machinery operators.

If ocean conditions and tides allow, a channel will be carved out between the lake and the ocean at Conjola Beach, this afternoon. In the event that cannot occur, a pilot channel will be completed to allow opening overnight or early Tuesday morning. 

With holiday activity and many beachgoers at the location presently, people are instructed to stay outside the work area and keep away from the edges of the dug channel and eroding banks following opening as these areas are very unstable and unsafe.

Given the tidal and weather conditions, it is likely that the lake may close again in the coming weeks. Council will continue to monitor the ICOLL and work in collaboration with the NSW Government on entrance management protocols, as well as a longer-term solution for the area and flooding impacts.

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