Community report card puts waterway health under the microscope


Released 18/10/2016

A report card released today highlights waterway health and the huge effort of more than 200 Waterwatch volunteers across the ACT region over the past year, Director-General, Environment and Planning Directorate, Dorte Ekelund, announced today as part of National Water Week.

The Catchment Health Indicator Program (CHIP) report for 2015-16 analysed data from Waterwatch volunteers who have conducted almost 2400 surveys from 243 sites across Canberra, Cooma, Queanbeyan and Yass water catchments – an area from the top of the Murrumbidgee River above Tantangara Dam, down to Burrinjuck Dam near Yass.

“The report provides a comprehensive picture of waterway health across the headwaters of the Murray-Darling Basin – an area covering over 11,000 square kilometres. It’s a credit to the efforts of Waterwatch’s committed volunteers and shows what can be achieved when volunteers receive support through ongoing funding from Icon Water and the ACT Government in partnership with the Australian Government,” Ms Ekelund said.  

“The almost 2400 surveys included 1973 water quality surveys, 208 water bug surveys and 196 riverbank vegetation surveys.

“Ninety-six waterway report cards were produced. These found that 42 of the waterway ‘reaches’ were in good or excellent condition, while 48 were in fair condition and six were in poor condition.”

Ms Ekelund said issues such as weeds and the lack of native plants on both our riverbanks or in our waterways are major factors contributing to poor health. Planting of native vegetation can capture sediments and nutrients entering the system while also providing valuable habitat for water bugs, frogs and other species dependant on wetlands and rivers.

“Healthy waterways are everyone’s responsibility and there are things we can each do to reduce the level of nutrients and sediment entering them. This can include simple things like keeping our drains and gutters clear of leaves, soil and gravel. You should also pick up pet faeces, appropriately dispose of cigarette butts and wash your car on the grass rather than the driveway.

“The Australian and ACT Governments are working together to implement the ACT Healthy Waterways project which will provide new wetlands, rain gardens, ponds, channel naturalisation and other infrastructure to help improve water quality in six of Canberra’s main water catchments.”

Ms Ekelund said the ACT Government is providing more than $2 million over four years to support Waterwatch to continue their great work.

For more information, or to view the report, visit www.act.waterwatch.org.au/chip.html

Editor’s note: A photo opportunity of a volunteer with Molonglo catchment Group undertaking water sampling will take place at Sullivan’s Creek next to Willows Oval (off North Road) at 10 am, Tuesday 18 October 2016. A representative from Waterwatch will also be in attendance.

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ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases

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