The Community Has Spoken On Bird Lake
- 15th July 2026
- Council & Advocacy
- 3 min read
Community survey reveals overwhelming support for restoring one of Suffolk Park's most important environmental assets.
For many Suffolk Park residents, Baywood Chase Lake, affectionately known as Bird Lake, is much more than a stormwater basin.
It's part of our daily walks.
It's where people pause to enjoy nature, spot birdlife & connect with the landscape around them.
Perhaps most importantly, it's the headwaters of the Tallow Creek catchment, with water flowing downstream into Arakwal National Park & the Cape Byron Marine Park.
Earlier this year, Suffolk Park Community Association asked residents a simple question:
What should the future of Bird Lake look like?
The response delivered one of the clearest community mandates we've seen.
A Strong Community Mandate
Fifty residents participated in our community consultation.
The results demonstrated overwhelming support for taking action to improve the health of Bird Lake.
Here's what residents told us:
100%
Concerned about the condition of Bird Lake
96%
Support seeking external funding for restoration
88%
Want better water quality & environmental outcomes
82%
Support restoration that benefits the entire Tallow Creek catchment
The message from our community couldn't be clearer.
Residents aren't asking for another short-term fix. They want long-term investment that restores Bird Lake, improves water quality & benefits the entire Tallow Creek catchment.
More Than Just A Lake
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the consultation was that residents understand Bird Lake is part of a much bigger environmental system.
Water entering the lake eventually flows through the Tallow Creek catchment before reaching Arakwal National Park & the Cape Byron Marine Park.
Improving Bird Lake isn't simply about making one local waterbody look better.
It's about improving water quality, strengthening biodiversity, supporting flood resilience & protecting the health of downstream ecosystems.
Everything is connected by water.
Watch the video below, where SPCA President Kelly Minahan explains why restoring Bird Lake is about far more than one lake. It's about protecting the entire Tallow Creek catchment, improving water quality & investing in long-term environmental resilience.
Building On Existing Science
One of the encouraging aspects of this project is that we're not starting from scratch.
Over many years, Byron Shire Council has undertaken extensive scientific investigations into the health of Bird Lake & the wider Tallow Creek catchment.
These studies have identified many of the challenges affecting the lake, while also outlining practical opportunities to improve water quality, habitat & stormwater treatment.
Our role has been to bring together community voices alongside this existing body of work, demonstrating that local residents strongly support investment in practical, nature-based solutions.
Read the Community Consultation Findings
Our full consultation report summarises the survey results, community priorities & recommendations that have been shared with Council.
Looking Ahead
Over recent weeks, SPCA has continued sharing the survey findings & supporting information with Council staff & other stakeholders as discussions continue about future opportunities for Bird Lake.
There is still a long journey ahead. The good news is that the planning work already exists, community support is clear & funding opportunities continue to emerge.
Funding & planning will take time.
Partnerships will continue to develop.
But for the first time in many years, there is growing momentum around the future of Bird Lake.
Thank You
To everyone who took the time to complete the survey, thank you.
Your feedback has provided a clear community mandate that will help inform future discussions about one of Suffolk Park's most important environmental assets.
Together, we're helping ensure Bird Lake receives the attention it deserves; not just as a local lake, but as an important part of the wider Tallow Creek catchment & the environmental future of Suffolk Park.
Want to help shape the future of Bird Lake?
Join SPCA's Environmental Subcommittee. Explore SPCA Subcommittees to get involved & help protect the environment.
Related News
What Happens After Council Says Yes?
Community Action Delivers Results For Suffolk Park’s Beaches
