Toxic algae at Jackadder Lake Reserve forces closure, costs $400,000 to fix
Blue-green algae at Jackadder Lake will cost $140,000 to $400,000 to fix.
Toxic blue-green algae forced the City of Stirling to close Jackadder Lake Reserve in Woodlands, which has been closed for more than six months. Water testing in January found the potentially harmful algae, triggering warning signs and activity bans.
The WA Department of Health advised against all water contact and activities near the shore. The risk comes from breathing in water aerosols.
An independent investigation found the algae is fed by stormwater, diverted drain water, groundwater and nutrients trapped in lake sediments. The lake has limited water circulation and low dissolved oxygen, creating ideal conditions for algae growth.
To fix it, Stirling must spend between $140,000 and $210,000 on monitoring, groundwater testing and sediment surveys over 12 to 24 months. A short-term algaecide treatment would cost $25,000 to $40,000 but only provide temporary relief.
If dredging is needed to remove contaminated sediments, costs could exceed $400,000.
- More than six months
- Closure duration
- January
- Detection month
- Woodlands, City of Stirling
- Location
- More than $400,000 for dredging
- Maximum cost estimate
Why it mattersA popular family park sits unusable for months while councils debate expensive long-term solutions. This shows how environmental contamination disrupts community spaces.
AustraliaWestern Australian residents lose access to a family lake and local council budgets face major unexpected costs for environmental cleanup.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
