In 2017 Barwon Water and Fisheries Victoria stocked the Painkalac Reservoir with 7000 native estuary perch fingerlings, which will grow up to be a drawcard for recreational anglers. The Reservoir previously supplied Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven with drinking water but was taken out of service when the townships were connected to the Geelong water supply system in May 2016.
Aireys Inlet and district has a new recreation area that when completed will includes a shared use track on either side of the reservoir for walking, horse riding and bicycle riding; picnic facilities, a bird watching facility; educational signage at key locations; and opening the reservoir for recreational fishing (this may include stocking subject to a suitability assessment by Fisheries Victoria).
Some activities are not available:
- camping because there will be no toilet facilities, no potable water and because of bush fire risk;
- swimming because the spillway, when overflowing, constitutes a significant hazard;
- boating because there is no public road access to bring in boats and because of the spillway hazard.