The water authority’s board decided to transfer up to 1000 megalitres of its carryover water holding to recreation water.

As of last week, the lake – which has a capacity of 5350 megalitres – was just over half full.

Board chairman Peter Vogel said the group's decision was influenced by the current reserve levels in its holdings, and a Wimmera Development Association-commissioned report that assessed recreational water’s socioeconomic benefits.

“The report found that recreational water contributes as much as $30 million per annum to the economy of the Wimmera Mallee,” he said.

“Access to recreational water also provides positive social, health and mental health benefits to the community.

“GWMWater is fortunate to be in the position of holding more than four years’ reserve in its water holdings from the Grampians headworks system based on current demands for water.

“The strength of our water holding has given us the confidence to make this decision. This release would not have been able to have been made without the region having reaped the significant benefits of the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline.”

Mr Vogel said the decision would take advantage of the fact that a channel running between Rocklands Reservoir and Taylors Lake – which runs past Green Lake – was full.

Horsham Rural City Council will pay the recreational water tariff of $21 a megalitre, the standard top-up price for councils and management committees for the 12 recreational lakes and weir pools serviced by the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline.

Mayor Pam Clarke said the council would work with GWMWater as supply arrangements for recreational water across the region were reviewed, with a view to securing a more permanent supply for Green Lake.

“We are acutely aware of the benefits of recreational water to the health and well-being of the community, as well as the economic benefits that it brings,” she said.