Latest update

A number of plans for project sites have been submitted to the planning and land authority for approval. For more information, and to provide comment on these Development Applications visit: ACT Healthy Waterways Sites and Progress.

Key facts

• Highly urbanised with only small remnant areas of nature reserve.
• Older network of stormwater pipes and concrete-lined channels, designed to transfer water out of the area as quickly as possible, result in fast-flowing run-off capable of causing rapid soil erosion.
• Water flowing from the stormwater drains is of poor quality, containing soil and sediment, organic matter (leaves and garden waste) and animal faeces.
• Hard surfaces like roofs, roads and paving transport pollutants and nutrients into the stormwater system, even during light rain.
• The main waterway, Yarralumla Creek, discharges high levels of sediment and nutrient loads into the Molonglo River.

Expected benefits

• The priority projects will remove 2,388,980 kg/year of suspended solids, 333 kg/year of phosphorus and 2018 kg/year of nitrogen from Yarralumla waterways.
• The frequency and severity of erosion in Yarralumla Creek will be reduced and erosion in the lower reaches will be stabilised.
• Other benefits include improved open space, more recreational areas and the potential for irrigation of local sporting fields.

Priority Project 1 - Pond and potential stormwater use

Athllon Drive, Mawson

A new pond will be constructed opposite Marist College to capture stormwater which may be used for irrigation. The project will include landscaping, like understorey planting, which will improve the existing open space (YA020).

Click here for full size version of plans. (YA020)

Priority Project 2 - Rain garden

Reynolds Street, Curtin

A rain garden in the open space between walking paths in Reynolds Street will enhance the area and increase its appeal as a recreational space for the local community. The site will be landscaped to incorporate vegetation and filtering media to remove nutrients and sediment (YA012).

There was a lot of interest in this project. Taking into account the concerns of residents and the relatively close proximity of the proposed rain garden to homes compared to other projects, this project will not be progressed.

Click here for full size version of plans. (YA012)

Priority Project 3 - Creek stabilisation

Yarralumla Creek, Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla

The project will involve stabilising and revegetating the banks of Yarralumla Creek where it enters the Molonglo River just downstream of Scrivener Dam. The lower banks will be landscaped with rock work to prevent ongoing erosion which is a significant problem. The upper banks will be revegetated to improve stability and filter run-off (YA001).

Click here for full size version of plans. (YA001)

Priority Project 4 - Pond and stormwater use

Corner of Wilkins and Beasley Street, Mawson

A new pond at the Mawson District Playing Fields will enhance the outdoor sports and recreation area and offer the potential to use the water to irrigate the playing surfaces. The area will be landscaped to improve amenity and habitat diversity. The site has been chosen to minimise the removal of existing vegetation. (YA025)

Click here for full size version of plans. (YA025)

Priority Project 5 - Rain garden

Flood Memorial site near Service Street, Curtin

The highly visible open area in the Yarra Glen arterial corridor near Service Street in Curtin will be the site for a new rain garden. An existing cycle path will be realigned to go around the garden. The area will be landscaped to incorporate vegetation and filtering media to remove nutrients and sediment from stormwater (YA016).

Click here for full size version of plans. (YA016)

RESERVE PROJECTS

Reserve projects have been identified for each catchment to allow for contingencies that may emerge during detailed design or construction.

These projects may go ahead if any of the priority projects are no longer considered viable, unexpected savings are made in completing the priority projects, or additional funding becomes available. Designs have been prepared for the 10 highest ranked reserves across the six priority catchments. In the Yarralumla Creek catchment designs have been prepared for:

Rain garden

Corner of Plunkett Street and Childe Place, Chifley

Stormwater will be diverted from a drainage pit and drain into the rain garden. Site landscaping will improve the amenity of the area. (YA028)

Reserve projects have been identified for each catchment to allow for contingencies that may emerge during detailed design or construction. These projects may go ahead if any of the priority projects are no longer considered viable, unexpected savings are made in completing the priority projects, or additional funding becomes available. Designs have been prepared for the 10 highest ranked reserves across the six priority catchments (YA028)

Click here for full size version of plans. (YA028)

An additional two reserve projects have been identified. Preliminary sketch plans for these projects will only be prepared if necessay

• Curtin Creek rehabilitation – Yarralumla Creek between Cotter Road and McCulloch Street, Curtin (YA002)
• Wetland - Yarralumla Creek, Yarra Glen Drive (YA009B)