Joint bid to reduce algae

Friends member John Chester said removing the algae would improve the health of the lake but also remove a food source for midge larvae.

‘In the past the algae has been left to break down and settle as sludge on the lake bottom where it provides ample food for the larvae to breed up rapidly as the weather warms in early summer,’ he said. ‘Adult midge then emerge in enormous numbers to form swarms which impact on the amenity of nearby residents.’

A Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman said reducing the amount of nutrient run off into Lake Goollelal was the only long-term solution to reducing midge numbers.