A lake foreshore recreation area at the end of Archbold Road, Long Jetty is now able to be used by the public over the summer.

Central Coast Council has completed the first stage of works of a $150,000 project designed to stop pollutants from entering the lake from the stormwater that runs off the local catchment.

Council’s Group Leader of Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mr Mike Dowling, said the area was previously a low-lying boggy area, making it inaccessible to the public.

“These water quality improvement works included filling in this boggy area, which is now an 80 metre grassed area that the public can use over the summer,” Mr Dowling said.

“It’s perfect for picnics with some lovely trees to sit under, amenities and new showers.”

The project involves the establishment of a planted swale to filter the stormwater and draw out nutrients and other deplorables, together with a Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) that collects rubbish and dirt before the water enters the swale.

The area is next to a constructed beach immediately south of Long Jetty.

Saltmarsh, and a range of native Australian plants including succulents with flowers, will be planted in the swale in February 2017.

The plants absorb excess nutrients and trap the dirt in water before it enters the lakes, in a process called polishing.

The result is cleaner water in the lakes.

The project is supported by Council from funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and is due for completion in March 2017.