Shopping trolleys, tyres, chairs, traffic bollards and other rubbish were exposed as Lake Tuggeranong’s water level dropped for routine inspections. Photos: Hindu Council of Australia.
As Lake Tuggeranong’s water level drops for routine safety inspections, a different picture of the lake is beginning to emerge: one littered with shopping trolleys, tyres, plastic bottles, traffic bollards, chairs and other rubbish discarded beneath the surface for years.
The ACT Government began lowering water levels at Lake Tuggeranong, Lake Ginninderra, Yerrabi Pond, Gungahlin Lake and Whitlam Dam this month to allow engineers and divers to inspect infrastructure normally hidden underwater as part of mandatory five-year dam safety checks.
While the inspections are focused on the condition of dams and lake infrastructure, the exposed lake bed has sparked widespread discussion among Tuggeranong residents after photos of the rubbish surfaced online.
Among the items that attracted attention were several Hindu religious idols, prompting questions from community members about their significance after images of them were shared on social media.
The idols’ appearance also prompted online questions about Hindu religious practices.
The council explained that immersing sacred idols in water is an important tradition during festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja, symbolising the deity’s return to nature.
However, it stressed that Hindu religious practice does not require the use of environmentally harmful materials.
“The Hindu Council of Australia and Hindu temples in Canberra that conduct these religious ceremonies only use idols made from biodegradable natural clay,” the council told Region.
“In particular, water-soluble clay idols are used for Ganesh festivals.”
The organisation said it does not support the disposal of idols made from plaster of Paris, metals or other non-biodegradable materials that could pollute waterways and has consistently encouraged devotees to choose natural clay idols and dispose of ceremonial materials responsibly.
“Hinduism places great importance on the protection and respect of nature. Rivers, lakes, trees and the natural environment are regarded as sacred, and caring for the environment is therefore entirely consistent with Hindu beliefs and values.
The council said it hoped the discussion woud lead to greater environmental awareness rather than division.
“We hope this discussion can contribute to greater understanding of Hindu religious practices, stronger environmental responsibility, and a respectful community conversation, rather than hostility towards any community.”
It further insisted that the conversation should not lose sight of the much bigger issue. Following the online discussion, council volunteers visited Lake Tuggeranong to inspect the site firsthand.
“The original post included photographs of four idols. We could not locate those particular idols during our visit and understand they may have been removed between the original post and our inspection,” the council said.
“What was particularly concerning, however, was the significant amount of other rubbish that had surfaced as the lake was being drained.”
“The goal should be a clean lake with no rubbish, regardless of what form it takes or who has left it there.”
The discussion comes just weeks after the ACT Government unveiled its Healthy Waterways Plan for Lake Tuggeranong, backed by a $2.7 million commitment in the 2026-27 Budget.
Developed with the University of Canberra, the strategy shifts the focus upstream, targeting the everyday sources of pollution entering stormwater drains before they reach the lake.
Rather than relying solely on wetlands and treatment infrastructure, the plan aims to reduce nutrients entering the lake from suburban streets, gardens and urban runoff — the main drivers of persistent blue-green algae outbreaks.
While engineers continue inspecting what’s beneath the water, many Tuggeranong residents say the exposed rubbish has highlighted another challenge hiding in plain sight — the amount of litter finding its way into one of Canberra’s best-known lakes.
