Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Minister Suzanne Orr discusses the new Belconnen Oval Wetland with Healthy Waterways program manager Ralph Ogden. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
The first man-made wetland of its kind in Australia has been completed in Belconnen and is ready to do its work of filtering stormwater before it flows into Lake Ginninderra.
The $4 million Belconnen Oval Wetland off Renny Place is also a new recreation area and wildlife haven. The amount of infrastructure to be installed is still to be decided, reflecting community differences on how natural the surrounding space should be.
But the wetland’s main job is to filter about 30 per cent of nutrients and solids from water in the Emu Bank catchment – that can cause toxic blue-green algae – before it reaches the lake.
The wetland joins the ACT’s growing network of 27 wetlands used to manage and filter stormwater flows but its point of difference is the way it does this.
It’s the first in the nation to include subsurface elements in addition to a traditional wetland and ponds, meaning water flows underground through the roots of the wetland plants.
The roots absorb nutrients from the water to nourish plants above so they can grow, while cleaning the flowing stormwater below.
The Belconnen wetland site in February 2024. Photo: ACT Government.
Healthy Waterways program manager Ralph Ogden said it worked like a hydroponic garden.
Mr Ogden said this approach had been done successfully in north-eastern United States but it was difficult to transfer that experience to ACT conditions.
It had also been effective in treating sewage.
He said a monitoring program was being established that would transition to citizen science to see how well the subsurface approach worked here.
It was expected the wetland would also increase biodiversity in the area.
Mr Ogden said the wetland program was a more natural way to manage stormwater runoff and designed to improve the quality of water going into the ACT’s lakes.
“So we’re actually trying to treat it before it gets to the lake,” he said.
Taking shape: The Belconnen wetland project in June 2024. Photo: ACT Government.
Mr Ogden said the program would also prevent the escape of leaf litter, grass clippings and garden fertilisers into runoff before water was treated, which the government promoted through regular information campaigns.
He said the amount of infrastructure in the green space around the wetland – such as barbecues, picnic tables and seating – would be up to the community and City Services but any decisions would need to balance opinions.
Some community members have called for lighting, others say this will be detrimental for wildlife.
“The government will need to work with the community to decide what’s the right balance between natural stuff and unnatural stuff,” Mr Ogden said.
Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Minister Suzanne Orr said feedback already received would be handed to City Services as it looked at the most appropriate amenities for the area and how to improve the space.
“We’ve already seen today there’s slightly contrasting views within the community as to what makes a really great place,” she said.
“I think it’s exciting people want to see the best that can be made out of this area.”
Ms Orr said the project was setting an example for the rest of Australia in how to be innovative with infrastructure so it served the city but also delivered a place for the community to enjoy.
