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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 04 Hansard (Thursday, 1 April 2004) . . Page.. 1664 ..

(3) Should the river have just remained closed altogether;

(4) What measures, if any, are being taken by Environment ACT to ensure the river can be reopened as soon as possible; if no work has been undertaken, why not;

(5) How many water skiing events have been cancelled due to the closure of the river;

(6) How many of those water skiing events would have included competitors from interstate;

(7) How many boat bookings have been cancelled during the time of the river’s closure.

Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The waterski area was closed when analysis of samples showed high levels of blue green algae.

(2) (a) Inspection and sampling on the 23 February confirmed blue green algae levels at the low alert level. This, combined with a trend of decreasing algae levels through February permitted the area to be reopened.

(b) The Molonglo Reach area was closed on the 2 March 2004, following a visual inspection and subsequent sample analysis that confirmed high levels of blue green algae were present and there was significant scumming on the surface of the water.

(3) The Molonglo Reach area is in high demand at this time of the year and is used extensively by the general public and water-skiing organisations. Every effort is made to keep the area accessible. As noted previously, within the constraints of the algae action plan, blue green algae levels had improved over time and test results confirmed there was no reason to continue with a total closure of the area.

(4) Very regular monitoring of the river is undertaken, generally on a daily basis, with water samples taken when there is a noticeable improvement or decline in appearance of the blue green algae.

The threat of algae blooms to the Molonglo River and Lake Burley Griffin has long been recognised and several large programs have been implemented to reduce the risk of blue green algae. The most significant of these has been a multi-year project to rehabilitate erosional hot spots in the Molonglo catchment. The Queanbeyan Sewage Treatment Plant, licensed under the Environment Protection Act has also been upgraded to reduce its discharge of nutrients.

(5) The Molonglo Reach area was closed on the 22 January 2004. During the period of closure, the ACT Waterski Association had 4 events cancelled.

(6) One event on the 20 to 22 February would have included interstate competitors. This event was the ACT/NSW State Titles.

(7) 514 boat bookings have been cancelled, not including the ACT Waterskiing Association events

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