Half of Belconnen Oval in Eastern Valley Way could be transformed into the Territory’s first underground wetland with the Government’s ACT Healthy Waterways calling for community input on the proposal.
Inviting Canberrans to attend an information session this Saturday (15 October), Minister for Water, Shane Rattenbury said the proposed subsurface wetland would help remove pollution from the Emu Creek Catchment stormwater and improve the quality of stormwater entering Lake Ginninderra.
Subsurface wetlands are typically designed to keep the water level below a layer of rock or gravel, whereas a surface wetland keeps water flows above ground.
“The proposed construction of the subsurface wetland on Belconnen Oval would be an innovative and attractive solution for improving water quality while also improving amenity and building our understanding of waterway health,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Based on water quality modelling, the subsurface wetland in Belconnen could intercept and filter around 30 per cent of the total suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus coming from the Emu Creek catchment before they enter Lake Ginninderra,” he said.
“This is a significant reduction and will help to reduce the likelihood of blue-green algae blooms.”
Mr Rattenbury said the project was part of a holistic approach to improving water quality.
He said 13 new Healthy Waterways assets were planned to be built across the ACT, including the proposed first subsurface wetland on Belconnen Oval.
“The aim of the Healthy Waterways program is to improve the water quality of the ACT’s lakes, ponds, and waterways by reducing the amount of pollution entering from stormwater systems,” the Minister said.
“I encourage those wanting to learn more about the subsurface wetland and comment on the proposal to attend an information session.”
Mr Rattenbury said officials from the ACT Healthy Waterways team would be in attendance at Saturday’s information session in the Belconnen Library Community Room from 10:30am to 12:30pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
More information on the Healthy Waterways initiative can be accessed at this PS News link.
