Join Team Toolondo on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/107505375985544/1029301190472620/?notif_t=group_activity&notif_id=1469531879814884 A couple of years ago, Toolondo Reservoir, an iconic waterway in the West of Victoria, was in dire need of a life saving water input. The coalition Government at the time, showed absolutely no interest or concern for the Lakes survival. The Water & Fisheries Minister at the time,publicly declared that Toolondo would receive no water & would most likely go dry.. At this point, with a State election looming, Daniel Andrews announced that if elected, his Government was committed to ensuring, that the badly needed, water input lifeline, would occur. Further more, he also announced that an Advisory Group would be set up, with the aim of trying to find a way of ensuring Toolondo's long term viability, as he deeply understood the value of this Premier Fishery. He demonstrated that he did indeed have a deep personal insight into Toolondo's uniqueness , beauty & value, to not only the Toolondo locals, but to the thousands who visit the lake from across the entire country, every year. Mr Andrews, true to his pre election promise, attended the Toolondo Foreshore in January 2015. Accompanied by Minister's Lisa Neville & Jala Pulford. He flipped the switch to open the Rocklands Toolondo Channel & the first trickle of the life saving 5000ML of water cascaded down the dry channel into the lake. A cheer went up from the hundreds of Toolondo supporters that had gathered there that day. The lake had at least brought some time. The Advisory Group also became a reality, with the various Government, Fisheries & Water Groups, Environmental people & other interest parties being involved. Over several months of meetings, a general consensus was reached within the group, despite the odd occurrence of somewhat passionate debate. The Advisory Group has since disbanded & sadly no outcome to ensure Toolondo's long term survival, has resulted. Eighteen month's down the track & now Toolondo is in dire straits. It is at present 8% of it's capacity, with an average water depth of approx 4 feet. If not for the current cold conditions & rainfall, the thousands of trout, many of them of trophy dimensions, would have died. Along with the trout & thousands of huge redfin, every other aquatic inhabitant & abundant bird life, that depend on a sustainable water level for their survival, is in jeopardy. One of the outcomes of a study done by the VEWH, concluded that Toolondo's environmental value was lower than the Glenelg & Wimmera rivers & therefore was not eligible for an environmental water allocation. Toolondo has a hugely complex ecosystem that supports a myriad of diverse species. It is situated in a sand basin which acts like the substrate in a home fish tank. This results in crystal clear water, which in turn allows sunlight penetration that supports extensive weed beds, that are the main drivers for the whole system. In short Toolondo is a freak of nature, a one in a million occurrence, , that results in the fastest growth rates for Trout on the entire mainland. As well as a consistency in quality of Trout, that equal the best in Tasmania or New Zealand. In is indeed “Now or Never”time for Toolondo. As a couple of month's down the track , when the weather warms up & the rain drops off, the final decline will begin & it will not be a pretty sight. One last possible lifeline would be for Rocklands to receive enough water, for it to reach the trigger point that would allow a release of water into Toolondo. It is the chances of this not happening, that is the main reason for this petition. Mr Andrews, you have saved Toolondo once, & all of Toolondo's supporters extend a huge thank you for that. However Toolondo desperately needs help again. Perhaps Toolondo's environmental value could be reassessed, allowing a small environmental water allocation to be granted? Perhaps an allocation that is not required by one of the current water holders, for this year, could be found? Perhaps just a simple exception to the seemingly, inflexible rules that are currently in place could be made.. If nothing happens very soon, then history will no doubt repeat itself & this unique resource will be destroyed. This will result in another generation, missing out on the Toolondo experience. This beautiful place ,that is held in such high esteem by all who visit it, could continue to exist , with a simple input of 5000ML of water, which falls from the sky. Thank You..