Transforming a stormwater system into wetland sanctuary

Out of the concrete suburbs of Canberra, a highly engineered stormwater system is being transformed into a system of wetlands and open vegetated channels. And new residents like Black Ducks, White-faced Herons, Long-necked Turtles and frogs are moving in.

Funding

This flourishing wetland sanctuary barely resembles the man-made urban creek system that sat in the inner-city suburb of O'Connor behind the local shops. Locals have embraced their new wetland, developed with funding of more than $138,000 from the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust and in-kind contributions from the ACT Government.

Not stopping at one wetland, the community-driven programme now aims to create 14 wetlands from the urban creek system that runs along the course of Sullivans Creek and its tributaries. Work on the second wetland - off Banksia Street in O'Connor - is scheduled to begin soon.

Activities

The story began in 1999 when five O'Connor residents formed the Sullivans Creek Catchment Group to reduce the level of pollution in the area's water supply.

Founding co-ordinator Jennie Gilles said planting new vegetation played a major role in purifying the water that enters the wetland system.

"The water that runs through the David Street creek usually contains quite high levels of phosphorous and nitrogen from the fertilisers and lawn chemicals that are washed in when it rains," Jennie said.

"Decomposition of organic matter like grass clippings and autumn leaves also adds more nutrients to the water. Then there is the extra problem of bacteria caused by the mixing of sewerage and storm water infrastructure.

"It's something that people don't often like to think about, but these bacteria levels can be quite high sometimes, particularly in older neighbourhoods.

Achievements

Jennie said that the creek bank vegetation in the wetland now absorbed a large percentage of these nutrients and chemicals. As well as this, increased sunlight reaching the water during its extended stay in the wetland ponds also helped lower bacterial levels.

"The water diverted back out of the wetland returns to the creek and is as much as 60 per cent cleaner," she said.

The Canberra Investment Corporation, Pendon Constructions and Community Housing Canberra, which were involved in the construction of a nearby apartment block, contributed further funding towards the construction of the wetland. A local commercial nursery, Seeds and Plants Australia, donated many of the 60,000 native grasses, shrubs and trees for the site.

More information

1. Sullivans Creek Catchment Group: sullivanscreek@heritagesolutions.com.au
2. Molongolo Catchment Group 

Australian Government NRM Team
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
1800 552 008 (toll-free)

DEWHA  | DAFF  | australia.gov.au  | NAP  | NHT 
Caring for our Country is an Australian Government initiative jointly administered by the Australian Government departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts