Hughenden Recreational Lake

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    • The new Recreational Lake Precinct will be approx. 22 hectares (59 acres), making it approx. 900m in length and up to 400m at its widest point. To put that in perspective, it will be the size of approx. 35 football fields.
    • The new lake will be built on undeveloped land south of the Showgrounds and the historic ‘Coolibah” Tree, and to the east of existing residential areas including Abbott, Byers and Page Streets. Vehicle access to this part of the lake will be via Mowbray and Moran Streets, with path links to the lake leading from Stansfield Street. There will be a formal park entry for pedestrians from Mowbray Street.
    • The main body of the lake will extend south, skirting the railway corridor, and there is an existing graded road leading from the Flinders Highway that will connect near the southernmost edge of the lake precinct. A map has been provided on the back of this flyer to show the location of the new lake in relation to Hughenden’s existing street layout.
    • A dam is any barrier that is used to hold back water. A lake is a still body of water that is surrounded on all sides except a side where it is fed by a river or stream.
    • The Australian Government’s Building Better Regions funding allocation to the Flinders Shire for this project is $4.1 million towards a total project cost of $6,078,058. Council will be contributing $1.9 million in additional funding over three years.
    • It envisaged that works will commence by July 2018 with expected completion by December 2019.
    • Hughenden Recreation Lake will be formed by filling the natural depression of Station Creek via the construction of an earth wall on the northern end, approximately 500m from where the creek enters the Flinders River.
    • The lake will be filled by natural runoff from the catchment area. In addition to the lake’s natural catchment, it is planned to keep water in the lake by pumping from the Flinders River. In the event that an additional source of water is required, a bore located on the northern side of the river will be connected to the pipeline that flows into the lake.
    • Wherever possible, local contractors will be employed to work on the construction of the Lake. There will likely be some specialised works that will have to be tendered out to firms with expertise in specific fields for compliance purposes. However, if the skills we need are in the local workforce then our preference is to hire locally.
    • There will be a walking/running/cycling track around the perimeter of the lake. In some areas, it will be a formal 2.5 -3.0 metre wide concrete path for both pedestrian and vehicular access (emergency and maintenance vehicles only). The remainder will be an informal graded access path for pedestrian and cycling activities that forms part of the broader landscaping of the site.
    • Provision has been made for various aquatic activities, including canoeing, swimming, a 500 metre rowing course, sailing, fishing and a full figure 8 for water-skiing and slalom circuits.
    • Boat access will be provided via a 2 vehicle boat ramp with turning circle and direct access off Moran Street. Boat trailer parking will be available in an overflow car park zone.
    • The lake’s swimming facilities include a sheltered sandy beach and recreational zone that is separated from the area set aside for water-based sports like skiing by a floating rope. The beach itself will be 3approx.. 15 metres wide between the lake pathway and the water’s edge.
    • Fish and fish stocking is one of the most asked questions at this point. However, it does take time for the lake to reach “maturity” from a chemical perspective (those of you familiar with fish tanks will appreciate this), and Council will let the natural process of the lake develop before undertaking research into the potential for fish stocking in the lake. It is expected that after three wet seasons the lake will have reached a point of maturity.
    • There will be a range of amenities for everyone to enjoy. These include park shelters, BBQs, a viewing deck, pathways, adjacent parkland, fishing jetty, and boat ramp and a protected sandy beach zone. There will be a feature playground zone in the park, with soft fall under and ‘sail’ type shade structure over. Picnic shelters will be erected in selected areas for all to enjoy. Toilets and other amenities such as drinking fountains and bench seating will be installed throughout the site.
    • Dogs will be permitted, but must be kept on leashes and under control at all times unless there is a designated off-leash area.
    • Yes. Designated car parking areas will be in the vicinity of both Mowbray and Moran Streets, near the lake’s parkland and beach zones. There will also be overflow and temporary parking areas for “event” days.
    • There will be a children’s playground area with picnic facilities but no, there will not be a water park.
    • Check the Council website regularly for updates and more Q&A. Don’t forget the plans will also provide further details about what features the lake will have - these are available via the website in both PDF and JPEG format for everyone to inspect.

Preliminary Plans

Flinders Shire Council has completed substantial planning for the development of a Recreational Lake to be positioned near Station Creek adjoining the Hughenden Showgrounds.

With the site chosen and the land made available for the building of this lake, planning is well on its way.

Preliminary plans for the lake itself and recreational areas have been completed and available on this website for your perusal.

Council is in the process of submitting applications for the building of the lake and the recreational zones through the National Stronger Regions Program and the Sport & Recreation Get Playing Plus Program.

Open Space Master Plan - PDF Open Space Master Plan - JPEG
Recreational Zone 1 - PDF Recreational Zone 1 - JPEG
Recreational Zone 2 - PDF Recreational Zone 2 - JPEG
Recreational Zone 3 - PDF Recreational Zone 3 - JPEG