The Greens’ Shane Rattenbury is holding forth over last week’s report by the Environment Commissioner on the state of Lake Burley Griffin:
“It was interesting to learn that the bulk of contamination is coming from often unsuspected household sources such as garden chemicals, organic waste and pet faeces.
”Significantly, the Commissioner has identified numerous ways for us [...]

It seems the fogs and frosts are upon us even before the leaves have finished their turn.
Above is Geekette’s morning shot of Lake Burley Griffin.
Overheard has been snapping similar scenes:

If you’ve got a picture of fogs or frosts around Canberra email them in to images@the-riotact.com .

I left home in the dark for a pre-dawn ride around Lake Burley Griffin on the way to work.
I stopped to admire and took a photo at about 7am.
You can’t see it in the photo, but my toes are numb.
[Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? [...]

[ 20 May, 2012; 9:00 am; ]

In its seventh year at Commonwealth Park, our Million Paws Walk continues to be one of RSPCA’s most popular outdoor events for animal lovers and their furry friends. This year our theme is a lazy Sunday – and we want you to share what you do on your Sunday. Perhaps you chill on the couch [...]

Ben_Dover has been out by the lake with his camera and sent in this bucolic scene.
Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it to images@the-riotact.com .

The National Capital Authority is warning of ongoing difficulties with the water quality in Lake Burley Griffin:
An Extreme Alert Level remains in place for blue-green algae in West Basin and Weston Park East/Tarcoola Reach in Lake Burley Griffin.
The water is closed to primary contact recreation as exposure to this level of blue-green algae carries [...]

The end of daylight savings presents a unique opportunity for the lazy photographer!
Got up at what felt like a reasonable hour and snapped the attached shortly after sunrise.
[Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it to images@the-riotact.com ]

Canberra turn-out was great – 30 people in total. Lot’s of pic appearing online now
The two top photographers (Trey Ratcliff and Thomas Hawk, 3 Million follower between them) on G+ both commented on my post just after 7am – the exposure was huge!
This from the Google Photo Community manager Brian Rose (best [...]

Walking the dogs at LBG this morning, we came across a flock of about 30+ Black Cockatoos. Unfortunately I didn’t get great shots of them, but here’s a few samples.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow-tailed_Black_Cockatoo

Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it in to images@the-riotact.com .

Perhaps in a sign of how far the Liberal Party has strayed from its founding principals two Labor Governments have combined to erect a bronze statue of Sir Robert Menzies by the shore of the Lake he made happen.
Joy Burch has made the announcement:
Following the 2011 launch by the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the [...]

The National Capital Authority has announced they’re re-opened the lake for all uses:
Although bacteria has returned to a safe level, lake users are advised to be alert to the presence of hazards such as logs and debris which have entered the lake as a result of the flooding. These hazards may be partially or completely [...]

Scotty Master has dropped us a line to warn the public that on top of Skyfire on Saturday night there will be some attention getting rehearsals on Friday:
1230h – Squirrel Helicopter Pairs Display rehearsal – Airspace over Central Basin
1250h – Artillery Gun Live Fire rehearsal – Gallipoli Reach
So:
a) Don’t panic
b) Enjoy the show on Friday [...]

[ 18 March, 2012; ]

Carp Whacking Day this Sunday. What more do you need to know?

Well they’ve got a whole website for you.

The National Capital Authority has the bad news that the whole of Lake Burley Griffin is off limits due to the effects of flooding on the bowels of Queanbeyan.
Lake Burley Griffin was closed on Thursday 1 March, following the Queanbeyan Sewage Treatment Plant being on bypass operations. The NCA has been advised that bypass operations [...]

Chief Minister Gallagher has announced more signage for Canberra’s lake shores.
This project is part of the ACT Labor Governments long term plan to manage and upgrade urban amenity for the benefit of all Canberrans and maintain our high standard of living,” the Chief Minister said.
“It has been funded as part of a $9.2 million initiative [...]

Jawm has sent in some great shots of Scrivener Dam dumping out the recent rainfall from Lake Burley Griffin.
Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it to images@the-riotact.com .

Ian H has sent in this marvellous panorama shot taken on Sunday morning of a heliotrope sunrise over Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin.
Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it in to images@the-riotact.com .

Came across an interesting site on a walk around Lake Burley Griffin. The Memorial near the fountain had a rather large fish in it!
My guess is that a fisherman may have caught it and threw it in there as I dont see any other way it could have found its way in there!
[ED - [...]

Martyo watched the sun go down over Lake Burley Griffin yesterday and sent us this piece of gorgeous as a result.
Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it in to images@the-riotact.com .

Anyone know where I can hire a stand up paddle board in Canberra?
[Photo by Richard]

The National Capital Authority has the news that their lake closures remain stubbornly in place:
A high bacteria alert remains in place at Weston Park East and East Basin in Lake Burley Griffin.
The water is closed to primary contact recreation due to microbiological contamination, as exposure to contaminated waters carries and increased risk of adverse health [...]

The National Capital Authority is letting us know they’ve closed East Basin to primary water contact, on top of Weston Park East:
At present the water is closed to primary contact recreation due to microbiological contamination, as exposure to contaminated waters carries and increased risk of adverse health effects.
Primary contact recreation means recreation that involves whole-body [...]

This morning we noted the Navy was farewelling its Sea King Helicopters and 817 Squadron with a fly over Canberra the lake.
Here’s my favourite of the ones we took. But we’ve got a pretty good slideshow of the show.
I note that naval aviators are much more punctual than their air force colleagues, the display starting [...]

The Fleet Air Arm’s 817 squadron is saying farewell today and flying it’s large Sea King Helicopters over Sydney Harbour, Canberra, and their home of Nowra.
Here are the details:
What: Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopters of 817 Squadron
making their final flight before decommissioning.
When: [...]

Martin took some cracking HDR pictures down by the Lake yesterday afternoon amongst the storms.
For the photo buffs here are the settings:
Nikon D5000 Sigma 10mm
HDR – 3 frames EV1.3 – Photomatix merge
Processed Camera Raw layers in Photoshop to bring back highlights and details in the clouds
One soggy camera

Got an image of Canberra you want to [...]

Last week the National Capital Authority warned that the flap gates on Scrivener Dam were banjoed and they’d have to undertake expensive works to fix this crucial piece of infrastructure.
Deep in an FAQ they managed to mention that, oh yes, the water level of the lake was going to be going down, and staying there [...]

Down by Lake Burley Griffin this morning I came across this cormorant sunning himself.
Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it to images@the-riotact.com .

Brian took this beautiful shot near the yacht club.
Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it to images@the-riotact.com .

The National Capital Authority are warning that the blue-green algae threat in the lake has not abated.
The National Capital Authority (NCA) advises Weston Park East remains closed to primary contact recreation.
The blue-green algae levels and bacteria levels in Weston Park East are at the ‘High Alert Level’.
The water is closed to primary contact [...]

Despite a rather good flushing this week the National Capital Authority brings word that the first blue-green algae outbreak of summer has coincided with the first day of summer.
The blue-green algae levels and bacteria levels in Weston Park East are at the ‘High Alert Level’.
The water is closed to primary contact recreation as exposure [...]

The National Capital Authority has announced their plans to make some major renovations to Scrivener Dam:
The National Capital Authority (NCA) today announced that major engineering works at Scrivener Dam will commence in the new year. It is anticipated the works will cost in the order of $15 to $20 million.
The works involve progressively replacing 120 [...]

The Canberra Times has a story about a possible new football stadium on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin.
Andrew Barr has said that the government is considering building a convention centre and football stadium, in close proximity to each other, on the lakefront.
I think it would be a great idea to have a stadium on [...]