Constructed Wetlands

The protection of water supplies and the natural environment are two of the main priorities of the ACT Government. These aims are being realised through the design and construction of a myriad of wetlands in urban Canberra. These wetlands provide a range of benefits such as:

• Restoration of concrete channels to 'living systems' 
• Improved water quality - reduction of nutrients and suspended solids 
• Improved flood protection - by detaining water and releasing it slowly 
• Creation of aquatic habitat - planted wetlands attract water birds, frogs, turtles, water bugs and yabbies 
• Provide opportunities for 'natural' recreational experiences in our suburbs 
• Provide the community with education and volunteer programs 
• Harvested stormwater is used for irrigation of local school and sports grounds instead of drinking water

Improving Stormwater Quality

Using wetlands in urban areas is one of the most environmentally effective ways to improve the quality of stormwater. One of the most common causes of poor water quality is suspended solids. Wetlands slow the flow of water (as opposed to fast flowing concrete channels) allowing solids to settle. Wetlands plants bind the phosphorus and nitrogen removing these contaminants before the water is discharged.

Returning Sullivans Creek to life: Inner North Wetlands

Sullivans Creek once consisted of ponds, floodplains and rocky incised gullies. While the catchment restoration does not aim to mimic this historical form it does provide enhanced urban biodiversity by creating a series of planted ponds linked by fingers of vegetation.

Projects:

• Dickson and Lyneham wetlands (construction commenced September 2010) 
• Banksia St, O'Connor wetland (constructed 2010) 
• Flemington Road Ponds, Mitchell (constructed 2009) 
• David St, O'Connor wetland (constructed 2001) - Case Study  (2.1 MB) 
• The Valley Ponds, Gungahlin - Ginninderra Creek Catchment 
• Planning History - Sullivans Creek Catchment  (30.7 KB)

Education

The ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate and the ACT Education and Training Directorate have produced a 56 page coloured booklet on constructed and natural wetlands. Units of work are provided for early childhood, later childhood, early adolescence and later adolescence. They focus on three essential learning achievements:

ELA 2 - The student understands and applies the inquiry process

ELA 19 - The student understands and applies scientific knowledge

ELA 20 - The students acts for an environmentally sustainable future

These units build understanding of what a wetland is and the place of wetlands in larger systems. They explore the practice of managing urban stormwater by constructing urban wetlands.

In order to understand that the Canberra region hosts a diverse array of wetlands, information is provided on sites such as the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Ginini Flats, Nursery Swamp, Horse Park and Lake George. A case study focuses on the David St, O'Connor urban wetland, constructed in 2001.

For pictures from the launch of the program at O'Connor Cooperative School, click here.

Understanding Canberra's wetlands: a school curriculum program for the study of constructed urban wetlands (2010)   (3.4 MB).

Ministerial media release - New curriculum takes wetlands into the classroom

Learn about wetlands via movie making

Australia's amazing wetlands

Banksia St, O'Connor, July 2009 - Before the construction of the wetland

Banksia St Community Planting Day, March 2010

Children enjoy the community planting day