Parks Victoria's recent blue-green algae warning for Lake Bolac has drawn a range of responses from locals and visitors.
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Parks Victoria issued the warning on Monday, January 11. It advised people not to swim in the lake and to avoid any direct contact with the water.
People were also told to thoroughly clean and gut fish that had been caught from the lake before eating them.
Lake Bolac Caravan Park co-owner Lorraine Deutch said the warnings had dissuaded some tourists from staying in town.
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"Some people have cancelled because of the blue-green algae," she said.
"Unfortunately it's been a regular occurrence the past few years and it does always impact business."
A spokesperson from Lake Bolac Information & Business Centre said there had been some confusion over the severity of the lake's condition.
"There was a radio report on the blue-green algae the other morning, and they said the lake was closed," she said.
"So, some media reports are a bit more severe than our advice from Parks Victoria."
However, Lake Bolac Angling Angling Club president Shirley Thom said many residents were unfussed by the algae.
"It hasn't deterred people," she said.
"People have still been fishing up here at the lake.
"Some people I know ate the fish, and they're still walking around.
"If you're going to be on the lake, you do it at your own risk."
Parks Victoria has advised that ingesting blue-green algae toxins can cause cramps, nausea, and vomiting, while contact with the skin can cause rashes.
Lake Bolac Motel owner Allan Gale said his business had been largely unaffected by the algae, but noted this was possibly due to having a different customer-base to the caravan park.
"It hasn't affected us as yet," he said.
"We don't get a lot of people that are into boating and things like that. We mainly get contractors."
Parks Victoria area chief ranger Siobhan Rogan said they would continue to track the water quality.
"Blue-green algae blooms are naturally occurring and appear quite regularly at Lake Bolac," she said.
"Warning signs have been installed at the lake and the public is warned not to swim in and to avoid any direct contact with the affected water."
"While we can't treat the algae, we'll continue to monitor water quality and will remove warnings from the lake and our website when the bloom has naturally cleared."
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