The Lake Paluma Recreational Area plan has been released for public viewing.

Lake Paluma is part of $200 million worth of bulk water infrastructure that is managed by NQ Water.

At busy times, Lake Paluma hosts water skiers, school groups and nature lovers.

NQ Water is budgeting $200,000 for works in the popular camping area, said Chairman Ian Hamilton.

Stage One includes earthworks, road surfacing, construction of a boat ramp, tent sites and drainage works and erosion protection and re-vegetation, among others.

The works would go a long way toward securing the environmental values of the area, Mr Hamilton said.

ìLake Paluma is located in a pristine wet tropics environment, which is part of its attraction,î he said. ìIt is also one of the closest rainforest areas to Townsville and that is something we need to be sensitive about.î

ìAt the moment that there are no boat ramps, the toilet facilities are sub-standard and there are no designated camping areas, which means that people tend to camp where they want.

ìWeíre concerned about the environmental impact and will be calling tenders very shortly to address those and other issues. It will bring the facilities up to the standard of a modern camping ground and mitigate environmental impacts.î

The works were part of a master plan for the Lake Paluma area that NQ Water was drafting to ensure water quality was maintained, said Mr Hamilton.

ìWhilst we want to provide the facilities at Lake Paluma and we want to encourage people to use it, we donít want it to be overused or misused,î he said.

ìAs part of our long term strategy we are looking at our recreational master plan for the Lake Paluma area to ensure that it is managed in an environmentally responsible way.

ìWe want to maintain the area so that the values that make it attractive now will be appreciated by future generations.î

The Wet Tropics Management Authority had passed the recreational works and was considering further infrastructure applications at Lake Paluma from NQ Water, said Mr Hamilton.

The plans will be on display at the Townsville and Thuringowa Libraries and the Paluma Community Centre.

More information:
Media Liaison Robert Dark
Mobile: 0417 623 156

© 2004 NQ Water