Page 1096 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 3 May 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
As I touched on earlier, the research for Lake Tuggeranong has particularly identified that even eucalypt leaves sitting in the gutters can release nutrients that flow right through the system and into the lake. What we are trying to do is look further upstream. Whilst gross pollutant traps are part of our response, overall there are opportunities to intercept some of the nutrients before they even get down anywhere near the lakes or some of those urban ponds.
MR DAVIS: Minister, of the $14 million announced, what specific investments are being made in Lake Tuggeranong?
MR RATTENBURY: As I indicated earlier, the bulk of the investment is actually in the Lake Tuggeranong catchment. Significant research work has been undertaken through a fantastic partnership with the University of Canberra, who have really looked at Lake Tuggeranong in far greater detail than has ever been done before. It has given us really improved insights and understanding into the dynamics in the lakes. The history of them, of course, is that they were set up as pollutant traps. That was how they were designed in the early days. With changing community expectations, that has proven to be a problem. We are seeking to make them more amenable.
There are a number of programs across the Tuggeranong catchment. They are particularly looking at getting upstream, higher into the catchment, so things such as bioretention swales and the naturalisation of creek lines. But they are also looking at some of the ovals in Tuggeranong where it has been identified that excess fertiliser can flow off those community sporting ovals into the drains and also provide those nutrients into lakes.
There are a number of projects across Lake Tuggeranong and the Tuggeranong catchment. Similar to my earlier remarks about the Belconnen area, as those projects get developed, there will be a range of community consultations so that we are working with the local community. There is a fantastic community contribution in Tuggeranong. We want to make sure that those partnerships are strong and the community understand why the projects have been put where they are, why they are being designed that way and whether they have any comments on the design before we proceed to construction.
Suburban Land Agency—Coombs and Wright
DR PATERSON: My question is for the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development. Minister, can you please provide an update on the Suburban Land Agency’s work to improve public spaces in Coombs and Wright?
MS BERRY: I thank Dr Paterson for her question and for her continued engagement as a local member in her community for improvements in this space. The government has been working hard to ensure that all of the land sales that it makes deliver great results for the community. The Coombs and Wright project is a key result of that work, and I am pleased to say that the Suburban Land Agency is working to secure building partners who will be able to deliver on these high expectations.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video