Yellagonga Regional Park is a magnificent local treasure. Lake Goolellal, in Kingsley, is the jewel in the crown. Sit at the lookout, look at the scenery, watch the wild-life; you could be 100km away from the city!

I only became fully aware of Lake Goolellal when, after being elected to Council 14 months ago, I went to check on issues to do with Woodlake Retreat and the old Luisini Winery. The dual-use path all around the lake had just been completed a few months previously.

The guardian of the lake, the Friends of Yellagonda Regional Park, is a large group of committed people who spend hours preserving, planting, and protecting the park. Visit their web-site at www.yellagonga.org for more details.

In the next year or two the National Trust will develop the Luisini Winery to be used as a museum, a wine appreciation area, a cafe, a kiosk, outdoor dining areas (overlooking the lake), toilets, and an environment centre. And the Department of Environment and Conservation will soon install improved pathways, car-parking facilities, and an information shelter, close to the Kingsway junction on Wanneroo Road, a location away from houses.

In the meantime, while we look forward to these enhancements, it’s still a great place to walk, to cycle, or to just sit and contemplate.