Cooby Dam recreation areas re-opening to the public
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Two popular Cooby Dam recreation areas are re-opening to the public.
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Parks and Recreation Services portfolio leader Cr Tim McMahon said Loveday Cove at Cooby Dam was open to residents and visitors.
Cr McMahon said the dam’s water quality had improved to a standard that allowed residents to safely resume water-based recreation activities, including fishing.
Cr McMahon said electric powered boats could return to the water, in addition to rowing, sailing, canoeing or windsurfing activities.
“In a further positive move, residents also will be able to enjoy the picnic facilities near the Cooby Dam wall from 7am on Monday, August 17,” Cr McMahon said.
“Council is pleased to re-open these areas at Cooby Dam for recreation activities. Residents are reminded to please observe all mandatory social distancing requirements and hygiene practices.”
Cr McMahon said Perseverance Dam was open for picnicking and water skiing for members of the Perseverance Aquatic Club. Cressbrook Dam’s picnic areas and campground are open, along with normal boating and fishing activities.
TRC Water and Waste portfolio leader Cr Nancy Sommerfield said recent testing of Cooby Dam water samples by staff at the Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant laboratory had shown the facility was safe to re-open to recreation activities.
Cr Sommerfield said three water sample tests for cyano bacteria had returned results below the threshold required to allow residents back on the water at Cooby Dam.
“The cyano bacteria represent no risk to drinking water supplies as they are removed by the water treatment and disinfection process,” Cr Sommerfield said.
“Council monitors the three dams on a weekly basis for algae and numerous microbiological parameters, including E.coli. We also test chemical parameters such as iron, manganese, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, nitrate, colour, turbidity and phosphate.
“The treatment process is also closely monitored (daily). When the water leaves the treatment plant we conduct tests in the distribution system in accordance with our Drinking Water Quality Management Plans.
“Even if we are not using a particular dam, but a test shows that we are out of specification in relation to primary contact (swimming) or secondary contact (boating) we inform Council’s Parks and Recreation Services branch about closing a facility to the public.”
To view activities open or closed at the dams, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/damstatus