news, environment, waterways, canberra waterways, lake burley griffin, lake tuggeranong, algae, algae problems, canberra lakes, lake inquiry
The state of Canberra’s major lakes and rivers will be investigated as part of a major investigation into ACT waterways. The inquiry, announced by the ACT government on Thursday, comes as areas such as Lake Burley Griffin and Lake Tuggeranong battle with major outbreaks of blue-green algae. The assessment will be carried out by ACT sustainability and environment commissioner Sophie Lewis, and will provide recommendations on how to protect Canberra waterways and improve water quality. Lake Burley Griffin, Lake Tuggeranong and Lake Ginninderra will be among the bodies of water focused on in the inquiry, along with creeks and rivers in the ACT that flow into the Murrumbidgee and Molongo rivers. ACT Water Minister Shane Rattenbury said a new investigation was needed, with the most recent examination of waterways being carried out back in 2012. “It is timely to reassess waterway health, as the information and recommendations will help identify priority locations for attention as we work to improve water quality and catchment health,” Mr Rattenbury said. “Our lakes and waterways have high ecological value and are an important part of life in Canberra. “We want to know whether our current approach is effectively protecting and restoring Canberra’s lakes and waterways and if there are any gaps or issues that need to be addressed.” The report into waterway health is expected to be handed down in early 2022. It’s expected the report will focus on the condition of Canberra’s waterways, along with the effectiveness of government strategies to boost water quality. The role of community groups and stakeholders will also be examined as well as various monitoring programs carried out by the territory government. An inquiry into Canberra’s waterways was a key recommendation from the ACT’s State of the Environment Report, which was handed down in 2019. ACT Sustainability and Environment commissioner Dr Sophie Lewis said the new inquiry would target areas of improvement. “Our lakes and waterways are much loved by Canberrans and so important for recreation, flood mitigation and biodiversity,” she said. “We look forward to the opportunity to identify future challenges to our waterways from urban development and climate change.” The ACT government has previously spent $93.5 million as part of the Healthy Waterways program. Of that, more than $30 million was allocated to helping clear blue-green algae from Lake Tuggeranong, which still remains a persistent problem. The newest initiative, launched last week, involved placing floating wetlands on the lake as a way to absorb any nutrients that may later turn into algae. Both Lake Tuggeranong and Lake Burley Griffin have been beset by blue-green algae issues, closing multiple times due to the heightened levels. The algae in the Lake Burley Griffin was once so bad that it could be seen from space. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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The state of Canberra’s major lakes and rivers will be investigated as part of a major investigation into ACT waterways.
The inquiry, announced by the ACT government on Thursday, comes as areas such as Lake Burley Griffin and Lake Tuggeranong battle with major outbreaks of blue-green algae.
The assessment will be carried out by ACT sustainability and environment commissioner Sophie Lewis, and will provide recommendations on how to protect Canberra waterways and improve water quality.
Lake Burley Griffin, Lake Tuggeranong and Lake Ginninderra will be among the bodies of water focused on in the inquiry, along with creeks and rivers in the ACT that flow into the Murrumbidgee and Molongo rivers.
ACT Water Minister Shane Rattenbury said a new investigation was needed, with the most recent examination of waterways being carried out back in 2012.
“It is timely to reassess waterway health, as the information and recommendations will help identify priority locations for attention as we work to improve water quality and catchment health,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Our lakes and waterways have high ecological value and are an important part of life in Canberra.
“We want to know whether our current approach is effectively protecting and restoring Canberra’s lakes and waterways and if there are any gaps or issues that need to be addressed.”
The report into waterway health is expected to be handed down in early 2022.
It’s expected the report will focus on the condition of Canberra’s waterways, along with the effectiveness of government strategies to boost water quality.
The role of community groups and stakeholders will also be examined as well as various monitoring programs carried out by the territory government.
An inquiry into Canberra’s waterways was a key recommendation from the ACT’s State of the Environment Report, which was handed down in 2019.
The algae has been so bad in the lake that it could be seen from earth-monitoring satellites in space. Picture: Supplied
ACT Sustainability and Environment commissioner Dr Sophie Lewis said the new inquiry would target areas of improvement.
“Our lakes and waterways are much loved by Canberrans and so important for recreation, flood mitigation and biodiversity,” she said.
“We look forward to the opportunity to identify future challenges to our waterways from urban development and climate change.”
The ACT government has previously spent $93.5 million as part of the Healthy Waterways program.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
