Harvester makes short work of weeds

Lake Eden at North Lakes is looking tidier after a visit from an aquatic weed harvester last week.

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway (Div 4) says the visit was part of scheduled maintenance for the lake.

“Lake Eden is the centrepiece of North Lakes,” Cr Shipway says.

“I love that this machine not only improves the ‘look’ of the lake, but it also improves the water quality for our wildlife.”

A Moreton Bay Regional Council spokesperson says the harvester cuts and scoops weeds from the water.

“The weeds are then put into a compactor (like a rubbish truck) that transports them to a waste facility.

“There are eight lakes around the region on a regular maintenance schedule - Lake Eden is one of those.”

Restricted species

The spokesperson says left untreated, weeds can choke the waterways and impact dissolved oxygen levels, reducing water quality.

“Some of the weeds which are removed are classed as restricted by the Queensland Government, which is why they are removed.

“This minimises their spread and assists to ensure that Council’s General Biosecurity Obligation is being met.”

Weeds removed from the region’s lakes include elodea, cabomba and salvinia.

The Council spokesperson says weed harvesting at Lake Eden is usually undertaken three to four times each financial year.

“The timing and duration of each treatment is dependent on the waterbody, the type of weed present and weather conditions, which affect the growth rates of various weed species.”