Edwina Richardson from Urban Waterways, Laura, Henry and Simon Corbell and Jenny

Gillis from Urban Waterways inspect the plans for the Banksia Street
wetland.

The City Chronicle Volume 30 No. 2 Tuesday January 19, 2010

 
Wetland work begins
By Elliot Woods

Construction on the urban wetland on Banksia Street, O’Connor is now

underway.

The highly anticipated project was celebrated by more than 1000 inner north
residents at a fair in September last year — a good indication that the wetlands
have been well received. The $370,000 project will filter water running into Lake
Burley Griffin while providing residents with an aesthetically pleasing spot to walk
and relax.

Minister for the Environment, Simon Corbell, joined Urban Services staff Edwina
Richardson and Jenny Gillis at the site on Friday morning to discuss the project
in depth. He said the ACT Government was thrilled to be involved with such a
positive project. “I am pleased to see this project underway, the filtration process
will see water quality improve while the community will receive aesthetically
pleasing amenities on their doorsteps,” Mr Corbell said. “It really is a win-win
situation.”

During the last 10 years, blue green algae levels in Canberra’s Lakes have
become a point of concern. Closures have caused hassles for thousands of
Canberrans who use the lakes every day. The cause of the algae has been
blamed largely on nutrient run off. Filtration wetlands, like the one on Banksia
Street, will help to stop this run off before it gets to the lake.

As well as provided filtration for run off, the wetlands will also work to support a
range of wildlife including fish, frogs, plants and birds.

Ms Gillis said the wetland had been well planned for times when water was
scarce and in excess. “Ephemeral plants will be planted in areas where the water
will dry up in the summer months while there will be reeds, shrubs and a few
trees in the other areas,” Ms Gillis said.

The generous budget for the wetland means around 50,000 plants will be grown
on the land, all planted by community members. The original budget of $250,000
was boosted by $120,000 to pay for some public art to be placed near the
wetland.

Ms Richardson said the wetland was to be a part of the community. “We would
like to see the community take ownership of these wetlands and get involved with
their upkeep and their production,” Ms Richardson said.

Note: copyright of the material in this clipping resides with Fairfax Media. Usage
permitted in accordance with the Australian Copyright Act 1968, Section 42: Fair
dealing for purpose of reporting news. Source: The City Chronicle – 19 January 2010