27 March 2017

Carp the only losers in Tuggeranong waterways revamp

| David Tuckwell
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"Big Common Carp in a Fish Tank, Selective Focus on Head"

The ACT government has kicked off its new federally-funded waterways project, aimed at upgrading the territory’s water infrastructure and relocating wetlands.

The public works, it is hoped, will guard against rare flood events and improve water quality, while leaving native wildlife unharmed. Construction will begin in Tuggeranong before proceeding to other parts of the territory in the coming months.

“These kinds of projects are a win–win,” said Senator Zed Seselja.

“They create an even better environment and opportunities for recreation for Canberrans, and also deliver flow-on benefits for downstream water quality and river health for the Murray–Darling Basin.”

Water quality has been a big issue in Tuggeranong. It has been suggested that the area’s infamous smell may owe to stale water.

The developments will receive 90 percent of their funding from the federal government, and come as the latest instalment in the ACT Healthy Water package.

Tuggeranong residents will be mostly unaffected, except for some small bike lane and walking path closures.

Safeguards have been put in place to ensure the local wildlife is protected. Birds will “relocate themselves” while lizards and ground animals will be relocated.

“Protocols will be in place to deal with any unexpected finds, from turtles or snakes to shopping trolleys,” said ACT Minister for Planning Mick Gentleman.

Fish are a trickier issue. The government says it will take pains to identify which species of fish are which, and ensure that native fish like the Murray Cod are captured and put in aerated tanks before being relocated to Lake Tuggeranong.

The large population of carp will be less fortunate as the waterways project will double function as a pest control project.

Carp are a pest introduced from Europe and get a bad name because their destructive bottom-feeding habits damage waterways and rivers. They’re unloved by fishermen too as their bad taste means there is no market for them, at the family dinner table or otherwise. They have featured in countless control efforts over the years, of which the waterways project is the latest.

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Good to read!

dungfungus said :

What is CNP stand for?

Canberra Nature Park

Roksteddy said :

dungfungus said :

The wider solution is to cull the foxes – perhaps concurrently with the annual kangaroo shoot?

Two totally different management situations. The roo cull is carried out in discreet areas (CNP). A fox cull would have to occur throughout the urban area. I don’t think we can have shooters wandering through people’s backyards.

What is CNP stand for?

While foxes hunt in urban areas they have their lairs in nature reserves which I understand are the same places as the roo culls occur. I can’t see the problem in coordinating both activities.

And licensed shooters with registered firearms are welcome in my backyard, anytime.

Yo Yo said :

Who do we write to to request they build islands for turtles to safely nest on away from foxes etc? As they’re struggling with over 90% of nests plundered by foxes

The wetlands that are being constructed as part of this project will help protect the turtles

dungfungus said :

The wider solution is to cull the foxes – perhaps concurrently with the annual kangaroo shoot?

Two totally different management situations. The roo cull is carried out in discreet areas (CNP). A fox cull would have to occur throughout the urban area. I don’t think we can have shooters wandering through people’s backyards.

Yo Yo said :

Who do we write to to request they build islands for turtles to safely nest on away from foxes etc? As they’re struggling with over 90% of nests plundered by foxes

Indeed this is a problem as the NSW department of environment quotes: “In NSW, freshwater turtles face many threats. Introduced foxes and pigs rob their nests and in some areas consume over 90% of their eggs. The baby turtles that hatch from the few remaining eggs have to contend with turtle-eating fish, birds and other predators. Adult turtles are protected by their shells from most natural predators when they are in the water, but when they venture onto land they can be killed by dogs, foxes or pigs, or crushed by motor vehicles.”

The “pond” at the corner of Bugden Avenue and Nicklin Crescent in Fadden recently had an island created in it; perhaps this is part of a plan to protect our freshwater turtles although that dam is full of carp (this may be short-lived hopefully). I have never seen turtles anywhere near that dam actually.

The wider solution is to cull the foxes – perhaps concurrently with the annual kangaroo shoot?

Who do we write to to request they build islands for turtles to safely nest on away from foxes etc? As they’re struggling with over 90% of nests plundered by foxes

“Water quality has been a big issue in Tuggeranong. It has been suggested that the area’s infamous smell may owe to stale water.”

That may be true for the area around the lake but the “other” smells to the north of Tuggeranong are emanating from the Mugga Lane land fill, composting facility and the infrastructure there.

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