Stanhope Police and Goulburn-Murray Water are reminding the community that Greens Lake at Corop will be closed for 48 hours over the New Year’s Eve period to ensure public safety.
Stanhope Police Leading Senior Constable Frank Scopelliti said emergency services urged GMW to close Greens Lake based on public safety concerns following a number of unsafe situations that occurred at the lake in the lead-up to the first closure in 2014.
“The decision to prioritise public safety and close Greens Lake for New Year’s Eve made in 2014 still stands today,” Leading Senior Constable Scopelliti said.
“This is about avoiding a life-threatening tragedy.
“We continue to make this decision each year to ensure the safety of the community – the actions of drug and alcohol-affected people can put their own and others’ safety at risk.”
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) General Manager Water Delivery Services Warren Blyth said this was the seventh consecutive year Greens Lake has closed and will not be accessible for recreational activities by members of the public for 48 hours.
If you are planning on visiting Greens Lake when it is open, will need to sign in via a QR code for contract tracing purposes – this is part of GMW’s COVID Safety Plan for Greens Lake.
Works to build new amenities at Greens Lake are underway. The installation of bollards along the foreshore and a fixed crest weir are expected to be finished by 18 December 2020.
The installation of a barbecue area has been delayed until the new year. There will be no construction items left on site over the Christmas break, and the area where the barbecue is to be installed will be sectioned off by bollards, however visitors are urged to take care in this area.
If you are planning on visiting any of GMW’s lakes, dams or reservoirs, including Greens Lake, you must also comply with COVID Safe principles:
- Ensure physical distancing: stay at least 1.5m away from anyone you don’t live with.
- Wear a face mask when required: Everyone in Victoria aged 12 years and older must carry a fitted face mask outside their home, unless they have lawful reason not to use one. Face masks must be worn outdoors in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Practice good hygiene: When visiting GMW storages, bring your own 60 per cent alcohol-based hand sanitiser or soap, and clean water for hand washing.
The lake will be closed from 12 noon on Wednesday 30 December to 12 noon on Friday 1 January.