Maylands Lakes project update August

Additional Scientific Advisory Panel member

At the April 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting, it was resolved to include an additional member on the Scientific Advisory Panel with an engineering and/or environmental engineering background, with knowledge and/or experience in dealing with similar lakes environments.

Following an expression of interest process, Professor John Ruprecht has been appointed to the panel. Dr Ruprecht brings a wealth of knowledge and is highly regarded in the engineering and water management field. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering Studies, MBA and PhD.

His background includes working with the City of Melville on water quality improvements at Frederic Baldwin Lake and Capel Lakes water quality with Iluka. Dr Ruprecht is also an Associate Professor at the Centre for Water, Energy and Waste within the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University.

Expressions of Interest for the use of pumps and filtration

The City has progressed expressions of interest (EOI) for the use of pumps and filtration following Council’s resolution at its April 2024 meeting.

EOIs were invited to offer proven solutions to:

• remove cyanobacteria
• prevent the release of cyanobacteria toxins
• prevent reoccurrence of cyanobacteria blooms.

Project delivery firm Plexus Water & Energy is assisting the City in progressing the EOI. Twenty-three companies registered and, of these, eight responded to the EOI with nine potential solutions. Outcomes of the EOI process will be presented as a report at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 27 August 2024. Subject to this, a tender process will be required to engage an appropriate contractor. It is hoped to have a preferred solution identified by spring 2024 with infrastructure in place by early 2025.

Maylands Lakes Environmental Restoration Masterplan

Alluvium Consulting, in collaboration with Josh Byrne and Associates, have been appointed to develop the Maylands Lakes Environmental Restoration Masterplan. The consultant has considerable experience in the management of lakes and water bodies across Australia and is experienced in dealing with water quality issues and approaches to mitigate them. The consultant will be in attendance at the Maylands Lakes Community Forum on 5 September at the Maylands Sport and Recreation Club.

A project plan and engagement plan with deliverables and associated timeframes is currently being refined by the consultant and will be published prior to the forum.