Dickson and Lyneham wetlands
The Dickson and Lyneham wetlands are the latest in a suite of wetlands to be constructed in the Sullivans Creek Catchment.
These wetlands provide multiple benefits including:
- provide water quality improvements
- play a role in flood detention
- increase aquatic and terrestrial habitat in urban areas
- provide an oasis in the suburbs
- create new recreational, volunteering and educational opportunities
- supply stormwater to irrigate playing fields.
Both wetlands include seating, informal play areas, viewing spots, pedestrian paths, artwork and shade.
Wetland construction commenced in September 2010.
Dickson
The construction of the off-line wetland at Hawdon St, Dickson was completed in December 2011. The pond and surrounds have been planted with a wide variety of locally occuring plants.
Excess stormwater will be piped to the Dickson Playing Fields and stored in tanks on site. This water will replace the use of potable water (drinking quality water) and helps the ACT Government reach its water reduction targets.
Plans (General Arrangement Plan)
A young wetland carer shelters from the rain
Community Planting Day - 4 June 2011
Over 200 people attended the Community Planting Day on Saturday 4 June 11 despite the bleak weather. They planted macrophytes (reeds), native grasses and trees and installed tree guards to protect plants from ducks and cockatoos. The event was followed by a bbq where volunteers consumed 18kg of organic sausages!
Looking at water bugs - water bugs or macroinvertebrates are a good indicator of how healthy a waterway is
Tree guards were made up ready to be installed around plants
Installing guards
Dickson Wetland Carer Group
More than 100 people indicated that they wanted to join the Dickson Wetland Carer Group. The role of the group will be to take part in community plantings, help install plant protection and undertake water quality monitoring and frog recordings. The group is supported by the ACT government.
School Visits
Year 1 and 2 students from North Ainslie School were the first members of the public to view the wetland.
Students walked to the wetland in June 11
Fauna
Maned wood ducks quickly arrived after the wetland filled in May 2011 and a couple of black swans. Wood ducks are grazers and consumed mass plantings of Carex and Juncus. A range of measures were trialled to protect the plants including installation of bird netting and tree guards.
Local residents have spotted a number of other birds on site including:
- Black-fronted dotterels
- Plovers
- Australasian Grebe
- Hardheads
- Coots
One of the rarer visitors was a flock of Plumed Whistling Ducks in spring 2011.
Frogs quickly colonised the wetlands. In October 2011, two local residents took part in the Frogwatch census with the Urban Waterways Coordinator. They recorded calls of:
- Limnodynastes tasmaniensis
- Crinia signifera
- Crinia parasignifera
Two other frog species have been recorded since then
- Litoria peroni
- Limnodynastes dumerili
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Lyneham
The Lyneham wetland was opened to the public in April 2012. Like Dickson, it was planted with a diverse range of plant species. A Community Planting Day was held on 4 December 2011. Volunteers planted 1200 native grasses and shrubs.
View from the Wattle St, Lyneham bridge, March 2011
Lyneham Wetland Carer Group
NEXT
Community Planting Day and Rubbish Removal - Sunday 24 June 2012
11am - 1pm
Bring sturdy shoes, gloves and a hat. We will be planting native grasses and shrubs and picking up rubbish on the eastern shoreline. These activities will be followed by a free BBQ.
Community Planting Day
Planting the embankment with shrubs and grasses
Making tree guards to protect plants from Wood Ducks and Cockatoos
Planting native grasses species - Poa and Themeda
Planting more grasses
Plans (General Arrangement Plan)
Community Engagement
The staff from the Urban Waterways program worked with local schools to design tiles for the inner-north wetlands. Students from Dickson College and Majura Primary created tile mosaics that reflect the wetlands. The mosaics have been installed in the paving at the Dickson wetland.
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Tiles by Dickson College ceramics students.
The Directorate has undertaken a range of community engagement activities to inform the inner north community about the wetland developments including:
- Inner North Community Fair - Banksia St, O'Connor - September 2009
- Community Meeting, Majura Community Centre, December 2009
- Bicycle Tour - Inner North Wetlands - February 2010
- Public Meeting - onsite - Lyneham - February 2010
- Technical Briefing - Lyneham wetland - February 2010
- Public Meeting - onsite - Dickson Wetland - February 2010
- Inner North Community Fair - Hawdon Oval, Dickson - May 2010
- Majura Spring Carnival - Majura Primary - September 2010
- On-site start up meeting - Goodwin St, Lyneham - September 2010
Other initiatives include:
- Letterbox drop of brochure - January 2010
- Display of proposed wetlands - Dickson Library - February 2010
Edwina Robinson, Urban Waterways Coordinator
Phone: 02 6207 5520/ 0466 153 641
Email: edwina.robinson@act.gov.au
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