Valley Ponds
The ACT Government is developing The Valley Ponds, Gungahlin. Construction of the three interconnected wetlands began in February 2012 and is nearing completion.
View of pond 2 from the native grassland and the outdoor classroom (part completed).
Photo: Edwina Robinson
The main role of the wetland is to improve the quality of stormwater before it enters Ginninderra Creek. The wetlands also slow down stormwater released from the Gungahlin Town Centre, increase urban biodiversity and provide stormwater for irrigation of the enclosed oval.
The wetlands also feature walking paths, an outdoor classroom and boardwalk, rock jetties and interpretive signage.
Greening Australia were engaged to remove soil samples from key areas to be disturbed by construction. Plant material grown from these samples was re-established on site.
As part of good environmental practice Greening Australia were engaged to collect soil and plant samples from the wetland and grow these on at their Aranda nursery. Photo: Greening Australia
Greening Australia Report - Stage 1
Greening Australia Report - Final Report
The existing on site pond was an excellent source of wetland plants. Edwina Robinson, Urban Waterways Coordinator collected Myriophyllum and Potamogeton and transplanted them at the Banksia Street, O'Connor wetland. Photo: Richard Bourne
Wildlife Corridor Restoration
Students from Burgmann Anglican School helped plant hundreds of habitat plants, installed tree guards and hand bucketed water to each plant. Photo: Edwina Robinson
In 2012 the ACT Government, Ginninderra Catchment Group, conservation groups and local community began rehabilitating a patch of Gungahlin land. Located between Gundaroo Drive and the newly constructed wetlands the windbreak which doubles as a wildlife corridor was overrun with Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana). With the help of volunteers, this weedy wattle was removed from the native grassland and partly removed from the wildlife corridor. Hundreds of bird attracting native shrubs and grasses have been planted.
Monitoring Frogs - Gungahlin College
For the past three years, students from Gungahlin College have taken part in the Frogwatch Census at The Valley Ponds. Frogs are a great indicator of how healthy a waterway is. ABC reporters compiled this story of the the census:
The Green Team, Gungahlin College participated in the Frogwatch survey in October 2010 with the Urban Waterways Coordinator. Photo: Edwina Robinson
In the latest survey, conducted in October 2013 at the Frog Pond, four species were recorded. These were:
- Crinia signifera
- Crinia parinsignifera
- Limnodynastes tasmaniensis
- Limnodynastes peronii
Community Planting
Friends and family of Burgmann School and Gungahlin College turned up on Sunday 16 September 2012 to plant native plants at the wetlands. Photo: Edwina Robinson
Scout Planting
The local scout group helped transform the frog pond back to a wetland on Sunday 23 September 2012. Photo: Edwina Robinson.
Around 14 months later plants were thriving in the area planted by the community.
Photo: Edwina Robinson
A range of events were held over 2010-2012 to inform the community about the project, these include:
- Frogwatch Survey with Gungahlin College October 2012
- Scout Planting Day Sunday 23 September 2012
- Community Planting Day Sunday 16 September 2012
- Frogwatch Census 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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