Wasn’t this feral fish eradication program completed in 2018?

An eradication was undertaken in late 2018. Unfortunately, in subsequent fish surveys, feral fish species were identified as being present. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the eradication program was unsuccessful as the feral fish could have been re-introduced following the re-filling of the lake. Satterley will not be undertaking any further fish eradication programs following the completion of this upcoming scope of works, as responsibility for ongoing maintenance to the lake will be handed over to the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale upon completion. Satterley will be installing additional signs around the lake to advise residents of the impacts of dumping feral fish into the lake.

Does Lake Allambee connect directly with the river system?

Lake Allambee is a fully lined impervious lake, so does not connect directly with the river system. However, in the case of the lake overflowing in winter, there is a risk that the feral fish could then make their way into the creek that runs parallel, which is why the feral fish are deemed a threat to the waterways.

What are the short-term impacts of Rotenone and how long they will last?

Rotenone will be dispersed in the lake on Tuesday 15 th June. Rotenone is an insecticide designed specifically for the elimination of feral fish and decomposes rapidly in the light and air, so will have no impact to the surrounding soil or groundwater in anyway. It will also have no impact on nearby persons and no long-term impact on the environment or to any other birds or animals. The dead fish will then be scooped from the lake with hand-nets and disposed of at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility. The lake will remain untouched for a few days and will be surveyed again to ensure no more feral fish remain present. Once we are sure there are no more feral fish, the lake will be refilled using groundwater and re-stocked with two types of native fish species.

Who is funding this feral fish eradication program?

Satterley, the project managers of the Glades at Byford are undertaking these works with the assistance of suitably qualified contractors.

Why can’t the feral fish stay in the lake?

Lake Allambee is a fully lined impervious lake, so it does not connect directly with the river system. However, in the case of the lake overflowing in winter, there is a risk that the feral fish could then make their way into the creek that runs parallel. This risk is why the feral fish are deemed a threat to the waterways and are required to be removed.

Who is responsible for approving these works?

Satterley has engaged suitably qualified contractors to prepare the Feral Fish Eradication Program with approval to proceed granted by the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale. The use of Rotenone has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

Fish Program | Byford Real Estate WA

Eradication of feral fish from Lake Allambee

Many local residents will have already received a letterbox drop advising them of the following (or will do over the coming days), but we wanted to ensure everyone is aware of the following project about to be undertaken at Lake Allambee, located on the corner of Doley Road and Gallant Turn within The Glades at Byford.

Unfortunately, two non-native and feral fish species continue to be found in Lake Allambee – Pearl Cichlid and Mosquitofish. These fish are a threat to the local environment, not only within The Glades but also the Serpentine River catchment. As such, they need to be eradicated.

To do this, Lake Allambee will be lowered to a depth of 1 metre on Tuesday, 8^th June 2021. The water pumped from the lake will be used for irrigation purposes, so no water will go to waste.

We will then disperse Rotenone over the lake to kill the noxious fish on Tuesday, 15^th June 2021. Rotenone is a chemical designed specifically for the elimination of feral fish and decomposes rapidly in light and in the air, so will not impact the surrounding soil or groundwater in any way. It will also have no impact on nearby persons and no long-term impact on the environment or any other birds or animals.

Dead fish will then be scooped from the lake with hand-nets and disposed of at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility. The lake will be surveyed two days after the first treatment, and if live fish are present, then the lake will be re-treated on the fourth day. The lake will then be re-filled using groundwater through the existing recycling system. When the feral fish have been eradicated, the lake will be restocked with two species of native fish. The whole process is anticipated to take 10 days.

The process has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale. The work will be undertaken by qualified contractors and a temporary fence will be erected on the northern boundary of the lake with signage also placed around all entry points to the lake.

It is likely that these fish have been released into the lake by people, who perhaps did not realise the impact they would have on the local environment. We will ensure signage is placed around Lake Allambee, specifically reminding people not to release any fish or feed wildlife in the lake to prevent any future harm to the ecosystem.

If you have any questions about this process, please don’t hesitate to contact Jordan Williams, The Glades at Byford Development Manager on 08 9297 9915

FAQ

Wasn’t this feral fish eradication program completed in 2018?

An eradication was undertaken in late 2018. Unfortunately, in subsequent fish surveys, feral fish species were identified as being present. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the eradication program was unsuccessful as the feral fish could have been re-introduced following the re-filling of the lake.

Satterley will not be undertaking any further fish eradication programs following the completion of this upcoming scope of works, as responsibility for ongoing maintenance to the lake will be handed over to the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale upon completion. Satterley will be installing additional signs around the lake to advise residents of the impacts of dumping feral fish into the lake.
Does Lake Allambee connect directly with the river system?

Lake Allambee is a fully lined impervious lake, so does not connect directly with the river system. However, in the case of the lake overflowing in winter, there is a risk that the feral fish could then make their way into the creek that runs parallel, which is why the feral fish are deemed a threat to the waterways.
What are the short-term impacts of Rotenone and how long they will last?

Rotenone will be dispersed in the lake on Tuesday 15^th June. Rotenone is an insecticide designed specifically for the elimination of feral fish and decomposes rapidly in the light and air, so will have no impact to the surrounding soil or groundwater in anyway. It will also have no impact on nearby persons and no long-term impact on the environment or to any other birds or animals.

The dead fish will then be scooped from the lake with hand-nets and disposed of at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility. The lake will remain untouched for a few days and will be surveyed again to ensure no more feral fish remain present. Once we are sure there are no more feral fish, the lake will be refilled using groundwater and re-stocked with two types of native fish species.
Does Rotenone kill other living creatures living in the lake?

Because of the presence of the feral fish species, no native fish were detected (after independent testing) in the lake at all.

Rotenone is specifically designed to kill feral fish species only. It also decomposes rapidly in light and in the air, so will not impact the surrounding soil or groundwater in any way. It will also have no impact on nearby persons and no long-term impact on the environment or any other birds or animals. The use of Rotenone has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
Who is funding this feral fish eradication program?

Satterley, the project managers of the Glades at Byford are undertaking these works with the assistance of suitably qualified contractors.
Why can’t the feral fish stay in the lake?

Lake Allambee is a fully lined impervious lake, so it does not connect directly with the river system. However, in the case of the lake overflowing in winter, there is a risk that the feral fish could then make their way into the creek that runs parallel. This risk is why the feral fish are deemed a threat to the waterways and are required to be removed.
Who is responsible for approving these works?

Satterley has engaged suitably qualified contractors to prepare the Feral Fish Eradication Program with approval to proceed granted by the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale. The use of Rotenone has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.