A new construction project to clean stormwater flowing into Lake Burley Griffin from the wetlands in Fyshwick has been announced jointly by the ACT and Federal Governments.
ACT Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman and Senator for the Territory, Zed Seselja announced that the project had begun.
Mr Gentleman said three new wetlands would be created to help clean the run-off from heavily urbanised, industrial, commercial and agricultural areas in the Fyshwick catchment.
“These new wetlands will help reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants flowing into Jerrabomberra Creek and on into Lake Burley Griffin,” Mr Gentleman said.
“The Narrabundah wetlands will be constructed along 420 metres of Jerrabomberra Creek and include a chain of six open water ponds.”
He said this would provide cleaner water and improved habitat for fish, birds and frogs, along with a wider, cleaner and better creek running through improved green space that the Narrabundah community would enjoy.
“The other two wetlands will be between Eyre Street and the Jerrabomberra Wetlands in Kingston and on Jerrabomberra Creek off Dairy Road,” Mr Gentleman said.
Senator Seselja said the wetlands would play a critical role in improving water quality in the ACT, downstream in the Murrumbidgee River system and in the wider Murray-Darling Basin.
“The nature of the catchment, with its industrial and agricultural run-off, made it a priority from day one of the project,” Senator Seselja said.
