The Valley Ponds, The Valley Avenue, Gungahlin
The ACT Government is funding the design and construction of The Valley Ponds, Gungahlin over 2010-2012. Three interconnected wetland will be built with construction commencing in October 2011 and finishing in 2012.
Three wetlands will be constructed on this unnamed tributary of Ginninderra Creek. Pond 1 (shown in the image above) will be enlarged and overflow into a pond below it (grassed area in the image to the right of the photo).
The wetlands will perform a number of roles: retention of stormwater from the Gungahlin Town Centre, improved stormwater quality, increased urban biodiversity and the provision of stormwater for irrigation of the enclosed oval (to be constructed).
As the proposed wetlands are in close proximity to Burgmann Anglican School, Gungahlin College and the Birralee Scout Hall, the landscape plans include an outdoor classroom, a boardwalk, rock jetties and interpretive signage.
Site investigations have included a heritage assessment, ground water study and vegetation study. The Master Plan has been developed by engineering consultants, Cardno Young and landscape architecture firm, Envirolinks.
The adjoining ridge of native grassland will be fenced off during construction and remain undeveloped whilst an existing on-site pond will be incorporated into the design. A small pond adjacent to The Valley Avenue, will also be protected during construction.
Greening Australia were engaged to remove soil samples from key areas to be disturbed by construction. Plant material that grows from these samples will be re-established on site.
As part of good environmental practice Greening Australia have been engaged to collect soil and plant samples from the wetland and grow these on at their Aranda nursery.
The Green Team, Gungahlin College participated in the Frogwatch survey in October 2010 with the Urban Waterways Coordinator.
The existing on site pond is a great source of locally occurring wetland plants. The Urban Waterways Coordinator collected Myriophyllum and Potamogeton and transplanted them at the Banksia Street, O'Connor wetland.
A range of events were held to inform the community about the project, these include:
- Frogwatch with Gungahlin College October 2011
- Attendance at the Burgmann College School Fete 5 March 2011
- Attendance at Christmas in Gungahlin, Gungahlin Town Centre December 2010
- The Wondrous World of Wetlands Weekend was held at Gungahlin Scout Hall on 29 August 2010
- A workshop was held on 3 August 2010 at The Chapel, Burgmann Anglican School, The Valley Avenue, Gungahlin. Click here to see the Presentation
(5MB) from this workshop, click on the following link - A Bike Ride was held on 17 October 2010 from The Valley Ponds site to Mulligan's Flat. The total distance was approximately 11kms.
Brochure (1MB)
For more information on the project, contact us.
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