The Federal Government will contribute “up to $76 million” to a $93.5 million water infrastructure program to reduce the impact of urban run-off and improve downstream water quality and river health in the ACT.
ACT Senator Zed Seselja and ACT Environment and Climate Change Minister Simon Corbell announced the joint local and Federal government initiative this morning, calling for feedback via a six-week consultation program on the ACT Healthy Waterways (Basin Project) in the process.
Up to 25 waterway improvement projects will be constructed across six ACT catchments — Lake Tuggeranong, Fyshwick, Yarralumla Creek, West Belconnen, Upper Molonglo and Lower Molonglo, Senator Seselja said.
Representing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce, Senator Seselja said the ACT had an important to play in the larger Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
“As the only capital city and largest urban area in the Basin, the ACT is central to ensuring positive economic, social and environmental outcomes of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan,” the senator said.
Mr Corbell said the program would lead to the construction of new wetlands, ponds, rain gardens and channel naturalisation to reduce sediment, nutrients and other pollutants from entering lakes and waterways and downstream into the Murrumbidgee River and the Murray–Darling Basin.
“In addition to improving water quality in our waterways, these projects are expected to improve the amenity of local neighbourhoods and creating spaces for residents to enjoy,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
“The most appropriate and cost-effective treatment options have been determined for each of the catchments, with several reserve projects also identified.
“These will go ahead if any of the priority projects are no longer considered viable or if they come in under budget.”
Mr Corbell said the projects were chosen following extensive investigations and community feedback received during Phase 1 of the project.
“I encourage Canberrans provide their comment on the final design plans and meet the waterway improvement team at one of six drop-in sessions to be held across Canberra next month,” Mr Corbell said.
The six week consultation runs until September 30. For more information visit yoursay.act.gov.au
DROP-IN SESSION SCHEDULE
· Yarralumla Creek catchment: Hughes Community Centre, Whittle Street, Wednesday 7 September, 3-7pm
· Lower Molonglo catchment: Weston Creek Uniting Church Hall, 16 Parkinson Street, Thursday 8 September, 3-7pm
· Fyshwick catchment: St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, corner Canberra Avenue/Captain Cook Crescent, Manuka, Tuesday 13 September, 3-7pm
· Upper Molonglo catchment: Riverside Oval Community Room, 14-21 Carinya Street, Queanbeyan, Wednesday 14 September, 3-7pm
· Tuggeranong catchment: Tuggeranong Library, Cowlishaw Street, Thursday 15 September, 3-7pm
· West Belconnen catchment: Kippax Uniting Community Centre, corner Luke Street/Hardwick Crescent, Holt, Tuesday 20 September, 3-7pm
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