BAYWOOD CHASE LAKE

Shaping the Future of Baywood Chase Lake

Baywood Chase Lake is a key part of our local environment & stormwater system, flowing into the wider Tallow Creek catchment. While originally designed for drainage, it now plays an important role in water quality, ecosystem health & community amenity.

With Byron Shire Council developing a Coastal Management Program (CMP) that will guide this catchment over the next decade, this is a critical opportunity for our community to help shape what happens next.

We’re inviting the community to have their say through a short survey to help shape what happens next.

TAKE THE SURVEY ↓

Why This Matters

Baywood Chase Lake sits within the Tallow Creek catchment, which extends from Suffolk Park through to the ocean & includes a network of creeks, wetlands & coastal systems. Water from the lake flows downstream into this system, meaning its condition directly impacts broader environmental outcomes.

Currently, concerns include:

Water quality & nutrient build-up
Algae, odour & stagnation
Limited ecological health

These are not just local issues, they contribute to cumulative impacts across the catchment, where waterways are already sensitive to sediment, nutrients & reduced flushing.

Taking Action for Baywood Chase Lake

We are working towards a clear, community-supported plan to improve Baywood Chase Lake; balancing its role as critical stormwater infrastructure with its potential to deliver better environmental & community outcomes.

This includes identifying practical, achievable improvements such as:

Water quality treatment
Habitat restoration
Nature-based solutions

Building on Council’s existing work, this process brings together community input & evidence-based recommendations to help guide future management.

As part of the Tallow Creek catchment, improving the lake will also contribute to better downstream water quality & broader environmental outcomes.

Why Now

Council has identified Baywood Chase Lake as part of its Coastal Management Program for the Tallow Creek catchment, with actions expected to be included to guide its future management. This program will set priorities, funding pathways & actions for the next 10 years.

That means:

Decisions are being shaped now
Priorities are still being determined
Community input can influence outcomes

Without clear direction, the lake risks being treated as a low-priority drainage asset rather than a site with broader environmental & community value.

This survey builds on Council’s 2024 consultation & provides updated community input to inform current decision-making.

A Better Outcome for the Lake

There is a real opportunity to improve how Baywood Chase Lake functions, both as infrastructure & as part of the local environment.

A well-designed approach could:

Improve water quality entering Tallow Creek
Reduce algae, odour & stagnation
Restore habitat & support biodiversity
Enhance the look & feel of the area

These types of outcomes are increasingly delivered through nature-based solutions, which work with natural processes to improve performance over time.

Community-Led Input

This work is being informed by the community to ensure local knowledge, priorities & concerns are clearly represented.

The goal is to develop a community-backed position that:

    • Supports practical, achievable improvements
    • Aligns with Council’s catchment-based planning approach
    • Helps guide decision-making through the CMP

Community-Led Action

To support this work, the Suffolk Park Community Association has established a dedicated Environmental Subcommittee to provide focused leadership on local environmental priorities, including Baywood Chase Lake.

To join this subcommittee, please click here to apply. Or you can email secretary@suffolkpark.org.au

Have Your Say

We’re inviting the community to help shape a clear, practical direction for Baywood Chase Lake.

Your input will directly inform a community-backed position paper to Council, helping ensure local priorities are reflected in future planning & investment decisions.

Want to Learn More?

For those interested in more detail, we’ve prepared a short overview outlining the background, timeline & how decisions are being made. Read the Baywood Chase Lake Overview (PDF).

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