Unfortunately, the stench around the Progress Jetty area in Paynesville is persistent. We agree with business owners, visitors and residents – it’s been pretty awful at times.

As the land manager, we have been investigating and although it smells like sewerage, the odour is from decomposing material in the lake and washing onto the beach.

DEECA and the EGCMA have also investigated.

What we know:

• This is a natural event.
• The decomposing material is causing the smell.
• East Gippsland Water has, on multiple occasions, inspected its sewer assets around the area and confirmed no odour or leakage. The pump stations servicing Paynesville are equipped probes and remote alarms to automatically advise of any issues, of which there were none. EGW undertook manual checks as a precaution and all were clear.
• The smell is not linked to the nearby toilet block.
• A weather event could agitate and distribute the bloom and improve the situation.
• DEECA has conducted additional testing today.

What we are doing:

• We have a contractor scheduled to complete a beach clean-up before the weekend and another prior to the June long weekend. We also completed a beach clean-up three weeks ago. There is no guarantee the beach clean will have much of an impact, but we are intent on doing what we can.
• We will continue to monitor and schedule ongoing clean-ups as required, and provide signage if required.
• We will continue to work with other agencies. 

Thank-you for understanding, and we will continue to do everything we can.