Lake Macquarie’s beautiful landscape is the drawcard which has made it the number 1 choice in NSW for people moving out of capital cities. Many come to the area because of its lifestyle and natural beauty, but this regional migration trend also puts a strain on our environment.
From very visible projects like the Salvinia weed management at Muddy Lake in Dora Creek, to the lesser-known legacy mining contamination of LT Creek, and the ongoing Lead Contamination Remediation projects attributed to the former Pasminco Smelter in Boolaroo, there are many environmental issues requiring attention.
Locals have shown continued interest in the changing nature of Muddy Lake.
I first brought this invasive weed issue to Crown Lands’ attention in 2022, and significant work has been undertaken since. Control of Salvinia using weevils continues to be effective with Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC) releasing them again in late 2025. Surveys show a steady increase in weevil numbers and decline in weed coverage.
In 2023, University of NSW Water Research Laboratory (WRL) assessments confirmed reinstatement of tidal connection is the most effective long-term option to control Salvinia, which doesn’t survive in salty waters, at Muddy Lake.
WRL completed a design in 2024 to reinstate tidal flow and recommended further field investigation to refine the design, understand the water flow and assess risks.
Research at Muddy Lake by LMCC and the University of Newcastle found Lake Macquarie’s only population of endangered green and golden bell frogs. Salinity level testing to minimise the presence of Salvinia, without negatively impacting frog populations, is ongoing. The findings will be completed by December 2026 and will inform channel design to achieve effective tidal flushing.
Crown Lands, working with LMCC, developed the Lake Macquarie Coastal Management Program for the next 2-5 years. This will investigate hydrological characteristics and water quality of Muddy Lake to deliver a suitable management approach including Environmental Protection works.
Muddy Lake near Dora Creek suffers from an infestation from invasive Salvinia weed.
Many of you will have never heard of LT Creek, which meets Lake Macquarie at Fennel Bay. The catchment suffers from high levels of suspended sedimentation, a negative legacy of mining operations at Newstan Colliery, which was owned by the State for most of its operating life.
I continue advocating to Parliament about the need for the NSW Government to fund remediation of LT Creek. The Government should exercise responsible stewardship, promoting sustainability, as they would expect from mining corporations. This is a request I’ve made repeatedly in Budget submissions.
Investment must be made to ensure our presence here does not destroy or contaminate the very environment that gives our region its beauty.
LT Creek in Fassifern sufferes sedimentation caused by legacy mining operations at Newstan Colliery.
More than a century of lead and zinc smelting at the former Pasminco site at Boolaroo left a legacy of soil contamination in northern Lake Macquarie.
The Lead Abatement Scheme (LAS) was implemented between 2007 and 2013 to address soil contamination and associated health risks, but its effectiveness was called into question following a 2014 research study by Macquarie University students which found evidence of elevated lead levels remaining in local yards and public grounds.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) later convened a panel of experts to review the effectiveness of the LAS. It also appointed a community reference group, which I chaired, to liaise with the expert panel on behalf of residents and other community members.
In late 2016, the LEWG released its report into managing the legacy lead issue at Boolaroo, making 22 recommendations which will assist Boolaroo residents and manage any future health and environmental factors.
Since then, we have seen significant public and private investment to remediate the site, which is now home to Costco, Bunnings, residential development, industrial development. We have also benefitted from the connection of Munibung Road to Boolaroo.
Lake Macquarie City Council has done an amazing job completing the remediation of public spaces. Council also successfully administered the Lead Mitigation Grant Program, funded by NSW EPA, which assisted with the cost of lead remediation and mitigation activities to eligible households that have been impacted by lead contamination from the former Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter.
The grants program operated from January 2020 – June 2026 and disbursed over $1 million in funding to residential landowners and tenants in the Lead Abatement Strategy (LAS) area.
Former site of the Pasminco Smelter- now remediated and the home of Costco, Bunnings and residential development.
