BREAKING: Open for business - Minister’s surprise Bonney dip

LAKE Bonney is open and safe – and a state government minister proved it in Barmera this afternoon by taking an unexpected dip in the Riverland tourism attraction.

Days ago it was confirmed that blue-green algae had been found in a small section of the lake, however pumps have since been deployed to pump in fresh water, helping to mitigate the problem.

And in Barmera this afternoon, Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakac bs was unexpectedly dunked in the lake, during a paddle around with Berri Barmera Mayor Ella Winnall and several local children.

A good swimmer but a self-confessed novice paddler, Mr Szakacs emerged from the lake dripping, but in good humour, and eager to stress that the lake – the sole remaining spot along SA’s stretch of the River Murray that remains available for recreational activities following a state government restriction imposed earlier this week – is open for business.

“I’m here to reiterate to Adelaide and South Australia that Lake Bonney is safe, it’s beautiful and it’s the only place on the river that we can recreate now without restriction,” Mr Szakacs told The Murray Pioneer.

“Those people who are thinking of coming somewhere for a paddle or a fish, get down to Lake Bonney it’s a great place to be.”

Mr Szakacs said media messaging about Lake Bonney’s algae outbreak had unnecessarily impacted tourism in the town.

“The local community has told me that some of the catastrophising around the lake has been hurtful for them,” he said.

“We have very small pockets of alga in the lake, but the lake is completely open for business.”

Ms Winnall, much more at home on the water than the minister, also stressed that the algae blooms were restricted to a tiny part of the lake, on the northern side, and that people wanting to enjoy water activities should head to Barmera.