Water Science & Technology Vol 21 No 2 pp 251–254 © IWA Publishing 1989

Recreational Use Considerations of the Sugarloaf Reservoir (Melbourne, Australia)

N. H. Howard

Sugarloaf Reservoir, one of Melbourne’s newer storages, draws an increasing proportion of its water from the unprotected and polluted lower Yarra requiring all supply to be comprehensively treated before being supplied to consumers. Because of this special situation, compared to harvesting from protected catchments, a recreational use study of the reservoir and its small natural catchment was initiated.

The first phase of this study was undertaken by Dr J Forsyth of the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit, University of Melbourne which recommended that, from the public health point of view, the present nominal recreational use (passive) at Sugarloaf Reservoir could be extended to include shore based fishing, establishment of a catchment nature trail, sailing, rowing, youth club and model yacht sailing. A Phase 2 study reported on the financial, managerial aspects, etc, not addressed by Dr Forsyth, while the “implementation stage” is being currently considered in a third phase. A report on this last phase is to be submitted to the Board and Minister for Water Resources for consideration for the summer of 1988.

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