Lake Batyo Catyo

The recreation reserve at Lake Batyo Catyo is Crown Land and operates under a Council appointed Committee of Management.

During recent years of drought, the lake has been empty and ahs seen very little camping activity until the2011 floods filed the lake. Council and the Committee undertook some maintenance and repairs to the facilities to enable camping in the short term.

Meanwhile Council and the Committee have been working together for some time with GWMWater on a long term Management Plan for Lake Batyo Catyo. The plan is in draft form and not yet ready for public release. The draft plan covers a range of issues and recognises the recreational value of the lake. Significantly however, the plan acknowledges that there is currently no long term guarantee of water supply for the lake which will impact on recreational use.

While a variety of options are being considered, there has been no decision made yet in relation to the Management Plan for Lake Batyo Catyo.

Council appreciates your suggestions about ‘primitive camping’ and the needs of travellers and I will ensure that Council and the Committee are mande aware of your suggestions. I trust this response helps clarify Council’s position and I am also happy to give permission for this response to be reproduced on the various caravan forums you have requested.

Yours faithfully

Jim Nolan
Acting Director Marketing & Community Development

MEDIA RELEASE

Council puts campground closure rumours to rest

Northern Grampians Shire Council has quashed recent claims that it intends to close the campground at Lake Batyo Catyo.

Mayor Cr Dorothy Patton said closure of the facility has never been considered and people were free to visit and enjoy the lake all year round.

Cr Patton said that despite there being no undertaking from GWMWater to supply the lake with water, it could still be appreciated and valued in its natural state.

“Council has not charged a fee for recreational camping at Lake Batyo Catyo for many years and patrons are currently able to camp at the site at no cost,” she said.

“The shire has a small Committee of Management to look after the area and with the return of some water to the lake last year after the long dry period, a quick assessment of the facilities was made to bring them up to standard for the summer.

“Council spent close to $20,000 to fix toilets and showers and to renew electrical fittings to ensure their safety.

“The dilemma for Council now is that this work is not sufficient to keep the facilities going for years to come, as the new regulations for the running of caravan parks require a very high standard to be maintained.

“Council and the lake's Committee of Management have been working together for some time with GWMWater on a long term management plan for the lake and it's surrounds and some decisions will need to be made about the level of facilities provided to campers.”

Despite there being no water allocated to the lake, it will still be suitable and safe for fishing and swimming unless natural run off in the next few months raises the level for water skiing.

“People love to be around water in summer and Batyo Catyo is there to be enjoyed. It's certainly looking beautiful compared to what it was like two years ago,” Cr Patton said.

Note they say camping is free which conflicts with the price schedule I had previously reported. I am seeking clarification. Meanwhile get out and enjoy the camp while the lake has plenty of water.

Hi Grae and Deb
The mystery still remains, with the Council emphatic that the camp ground is and always has been free.