BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK
AGL is continuing to refuse pushes to reopen Lake Liddell, with deadly brain-eating amoebas still believed to be inhabiting the waterway.
The man-made lake was created back in the late 1960s, as an extension of the now-partially destroyed Liddell Power Station.
It was shut in 2016, after an initial discovery of the rare Naegleria Fowleri amoeba.
The organism is commonly found in warm freshwater bodies and can cause a severe brain infection if water containing it enters the nose while swimming.
Despite the risk, many boaters and fishers are pushing for the Lake to be reopened to the public for recreational use.
Among those backing the push is Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell who said AGL needs to work quickly to re open the once popular public waterway.
"It's about continuing the conversation with AGL and making sure they are aware the community is still agitating to get the lake back," he said.
"Right now, there's a certain amount of trust between the community and AGL that they're doing the right thing and they're doing the right measures to make sure it can be used in the future.
"It's about trust and it's about working together."
AGL is continuing to monitor Lake Liddell for the amoebas, with the energy giant stating several seasons of water sampling are required to better understand it's condition.
Both the lake and nearby site of the power station remain under a contamination audit, as part of a state application to demolish and rehabilitate the location.
As a result, further testing is required before any motion to publicly re-open the lake can commence.
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| Lake Liddell. Picture: Wikipedia |
