Community survey shows commitment to improving Canberra’s lakes and waterways


Released 20/06/2016

A region-wide survey into people’s views on our waterways has shown how important our streams, rivers and lakes are to the community and environment, Director-General of Environment and Planning, Dorte Ekelund, said today.

"Over 4500 people participated in the ACT and Region Social Expectations of Waterways survey, undertaken by the University of Canberra on behalf of the ACT Government as part of the ACT Basin Priority Project," Ms Ekelund said.

"Participants of the ACT and Cooma–Monaro, Palerang, Queanbeyan and Yass local government areas were asked how they use and value local waterways including the region’s rivers, wetlands and lakes and what behaviours they perform that may affect water quality.

"The findings show how important clean waterways are for individuals, communities and the region for agriculture, health, sport, recreation and wellbeing.

"Respondents particularly told us how important our waterways are for recreation—be it in, on or around lakes, wetlands and rivers—and showed strong support for a range of actions to improve water quality."

The survey results will inform a community education campaign around improving water quality as part of the $93.5 million Basin Priority Project.

"The Basin Priority Project, an ACT-Commonwealth Government partnership, aims to improve long-term water quality in the ACT and region lakes and waterways, and the overall environmental health of the Murrumbidgee River system," Ms Ekelund said.

"The survey found that residents and scientists have different perceptions about the causes of water quality problems. Residents were most likely to consider packaging waste (e.g. bottles, plastic bags) a big problem for local water quality (62% of residents), followed by blue green algal blooms (60%) and pest fish species (59%).

"Only 38% considered leaf litter and grass clippings entering the stormwater system to be a water quality issue. However, water scientists consider this to be a key cause of problems.

"The survey results are a timely reminder for all of us to actively stop leaf litter and grass clippings entering drains, by collecting this material and either composting it or taking it to the green waste recycling facilities at Mitchell or Mugga Lane," Ms Ekelund said.

The survey also found support for water quality improvements including constructed wetlands, improving storm water drains, planting more vegetation along waterways and increasing the number of hard waste, paint and oil depots so people don’t dump these pollutants down the drain.

"This reinforces the findings from our initial community consultation about how the government, under the Basin Priority Project, can improve water quality in six priority catchments," Ms Ekelund said.

"Community action is critical to improving water quality in our lakes and ponds and to protecting the health of the Murrumbidgee River and broader Murray-Darling Basin."

The survey report is available at www.environment.act.gov.au

- Statement ends -

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