2023-05-03
The ACT Government is calling for community feedback on plans to build a mini raingarden in Higgins to help improve the quality of storm water entering Canberra’s lakes and waterways.
Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction Shane Rattenbury said the government continues to work in partnership with the Canberra community to implement initiatives under the ACT Healthy Waterways program to improve the quality of stormwater entering the ACT’s lakes, ponds, and waterways.
“Raingardens look like a regular garden on the surface but beneath they help to filter water and reduce sediment and other pollutants from entering the ACT’s lakes, ponds and waterways,” said Minister Rattenbury.
“Kippax Creek in Higgins continues to receive poor quality stormwater from upstream urban areas. The proposed raingarden will help to improve water quality and help the government better understand the role that these nature-based filters can play across Canberra’s waterways.”
The proposed raingarden is part of a $20.5 million investment by the ACT Government under the Healthy Waterways program to help tackle the challenge of polluted stormwater leaving urban areas where it concentrates in Canberra’s lakes and ponds leading to blue-green algae blooms.
"The ACT Government invites the views of Canberrans and especially the residents of Higgins on the proposed design of the raingarden,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“With blue-green algae blooms an ongoing challenge for the ACT, it’s more important than ever that the government, business and the community work together to reduce pollutants such as rubbish, leaves and fertilisers from entering the stormwater drain in the first place.”
The survey closes on 13 June and is available on the YourSay website at: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/%21drafts/higgins-raingarden-healthy-waterways
Further information on the ACT’s Healthy Waterways program is available on the ACT’s Environment website at environment.act.gov.au