Robina Lakes were constructed between 1983 and 1991. There are 3 lakes – South Lake, West Lake and Clear Island Waters. The lake system is bounded by Markeri Street to the north, Bermuda Street to the east, Cottesloe Drive to the south and Robina Parkway to the west.
The precinct has a shoreline of 20 kilometres and a water depth ranging from 3 metres to 10 metres. Approximately 6 million cubic metres of soil was excavated to elevate surrounding home sites above flood level.
History
Construction of Robina Lakes was the largest dredging and earthmoving project ever undertaken in our city at a cost of $24 million. The owner, Robina Land Corporation, handed the waterways over to the Albert Shire Council (now City of Gold Coast) as a major public amenity.
The constructed lake system was built to act as a retention basin for flood waters and stormwater runoff from Mudgeeraba and Worongary Creek catchments. Two concrete weir structures and a navigation lock at Boobegan separate the lakes from the tidal waters of Little Tallebudgera and Boobegan Creeks. These structures were constructed in response to events experienced during the 1974 floods. They regulate floodwaters into the central Gold Coast canal.
Floodwaters from the upstream catchments are stored in the lakes and then released across the weirs. These weirs have a dual role of controlling outflow rates as well as preventing tidal intrusion.
The lakes were constructed with the intention of becoming freshwater, providing habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Over 50 types of bird species and a diversity of vegetation inhabit the lakes and surrounds.
References:
January 1991, Robina Review, Edition 17, page 7. Published by the Robina Land Corporation, Robina.
WBM 2009, Robina Lakes Management Plan, prepared for the Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast, Queensland.
Water quality monitoring
We conduct several water quality monitoring and management activities within Robina Lakes. For more information visit the following pages:
Pest plants & animals
Robina Lakes is known as a hotspot, where free-floating native and invasive aquatic plants collect. This creates a mat-like appearance on the water that some residents find visually unpleasant.
Common pest aquatic plant species found in Robina Lakes include:
For more information visit Pest plants & weeds.
Currently, there are a number of pest fish species in Robina Lakes due to either accidental or intentional release into the lake system.
Native plants & animals
Robina Lakes is a freshwater ecosystem that has been artificially created and provides a variety of freshwater habitats, including:
- shallow habitats
- vegetated and bare shorelines
- deeper water habitats which are generally unvegetated.
Native aquatic vegetation is an important component of freshwater ecosystems, providing habitat and food for a wide variety of native fish, turtles, birds and other wildlife. Plant growth allows removal of excessive nutrients washed into the lakes. It does this through the growth of the plants themselves and the habitat they provide. This also provides breeding space for algae, epiphytes and biofilms (colonies of microorganisms that adhere to plants and other surfaces), which filter out and consume nutrients in the water column.
Common native aquatic plant and animal species found in Robina Lakes include:
For more information visit Native plants and Native animals.
How can locals help Robina Lakes?
The stormwater entering Robina Lakes is largely untreated. This means that the growth of aquatic plants is highly dependent on the condition of the catchment. It is also dependent on inflows including:
- chemicals such as fertilisers
- waste such as grass clippings and dog faeces.
It is vital that all residents and businesses ensure that fertilisers, detergents, pet droppings, lawn and garden clippings are not allowed to wash into the lakes. These substances break down into a ready supply of plant-available nutrients stimulating further aquatic plant and algal growth.
If you have any queries regarding your canal area, contact us and call on 07 5667 5974.
Locals are responsible for revetment walls
Waterfront landowners are responsible for the upkeep of revetment walls that benefit their property. The Body Corporate has responsibility for revetment walls that benefit community title developments.
Can you swim in Robina Lakes?
No. Robina Lakes is not a designated area for swimming.
Entering the water should be carefully considered, mindful that dangerous aquatic organisms such as stingrays, jellyfish, catfish, stonefish, sharks, algae and other microorganisms might be in the lakes.
Report pollution in the lakes
If you become aware of pollutants in the lakes, act now by:
- reporting this problem using our online form
- or calling us on 07 5667 5988
Report water pollution
Report inappropriate boat use on the lakes
The use of motorised vessels in Robina West and South Lakes is prohibited. It is restricted to commercially registered boats owned and operated by us. Boating is allowed in Clear Island Waters but a six-knot speed limit applies.
City of Gold Coast has no authority to control boating within the Robina Lakes system, so if you are concerned about the actions of irresponsible boat users, contact:
More information about boating on the Gold Coast can be found on our Boating, fishing & jet skiing page.
To report any damaged speed advisory signs within Robina Lakes, please contact Maritime Safety Queensland.