Arabic version: تراجع بحيرة هندرسون يغذّي الدعوات إلى خطة للمياه
According to ABC News, Henderson Lagoon at Falmouth on Tasmania’s east coast has diminished from a popular swimming and kayaking spot into a trickle, prompting local concern over low rainfall, water extraction and future management.
Nearby weather stations recorded low rainfall this year. Fingal received 18.2mm in July, 10.2mm in August and 10mm in September, while St Helens received 36.4mm, 25.2mm and 5mm respectively, Bureau of Meteorology data showed.
Residents are also worried about an application by Cooltrans Pty Ltd to vary an existing water licence and take an additional 360 million litres from Ferntree Glen Creek upstream of the lagoon. The application is being assessed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Cooltrans declined to comment.
Henderson Lagoon is among Tasmanian catchments without a formal water management plan. Environment Tasmania campaigner Lucy Tremain said such legally binding plans could provide targeted environmental protections as demand for rural water grows. Concerned residents have considered contributing about $50,000 to fund a plan if the state does not produce one.
An NRE spokesperson said licence applications are assessed under the Water Management Act 1999, considering water availability, environmental impacts, other water users and community submissions. TasFarmers chief operating officer Neil Grose said the department had been cautious in allocating water in stressed east coast catchments.
