hillveiw is a great venue mate but can be funny at times.the lakes are very similar in aproaches pellet and corn seem to be the best baits but meat can be deadly on its day.
i tend to fish long at 14m and 16m on the deck to start on pinging pellets over the top when fish come shallow then follow them up but use a long line and swing it past the pole tip the big carp are wise.i would also feed a 5m line with either meat or pellet/corn the edge is good but dont feed it till at least 2 hours from the end and dump it in.
the canals i would fish shallow down the middle with meat or pellet with a deck rig on same line i would also fishas tight to the bare bank as possible and down the edge keep an eye out for cruising fish coz these are easily mugged.
hope this helps mate have a good one.