The goal is to develop a 10-year plan to restore, maintain and improve water quality in Lake Tuggeranong by reducing excess nutrient pollution that causes harmful blue-green algae blooms. The plan aims to keep the lake open more often, to make it safe for greater amenity and recreation, and to benefit wildlife and the broader community.

Blue-green algae blooms in the lake are caused by high levels of nutrients—especially nitrogen and phosphorus—that wash into the lake from stormwater drains. These nutrients come from what washes off our gardens and driveways, like fallen leaves, fertiliser, and grass clippings.

Over many years the ACT Government has:

• Installed a range of water quality infrastructure in the area, including wetlands, raingardens and ponds.
• Made changes to improve the removal of grass clippings following mowing activities.
• Introduced household green bin collections to residents.
• Conducted regular street sweeping and trialed an enhanced street sweeping program.
• Worked collaboratively with businesses to help them understand their environmental duties to minimise harm to water quality.

These efforts have helped, but the research shows that long-term improvement requires shifting our focus from mainly building infrastructure, towards stopping pollution at its source. The possible options will need to include community action alongside government work to prevent nutrient pollution from entering the stormwater system.

The options fall into three categories:

• At the source: Preventing nutrients from entering stormwater drains (e.g. better garden practices, increased public education, green bin usage).
• Within the stormwater system: Slowing and filtering stormwater through things like raingardens and wetlands.
• In the lake: Using floating wetlands or applying safe chemicals or biological methods to reduce algae directly in the water.

All Tuggeranong households will be asked to contribute to improving lake health. This may include changes like:

• Improved street sweeping.
• Altered gardening habits, e.g. picking up fallen leaves and grass clippings and disposing them in green bins, and joining the majority of Canberrans who are using little to no fertiliser (including manure and compost) in their gardens.
• Participating in community education or maintenance initiatives.

The most effective way to reduce nutrients in the lake is to prevent pollution at its source. Most of the nutrient pollution begins in our homes and gardens. Simple changes—like properly disposing of leaves and joining the majority of Canberrans who use little or no fertiliser—can significantly cut down nutrient flow into stormwater drains. A healthy lake requires everyone to play a part.

We are consulting with the community on the proposed options, your feedback collected now will help us take the next steps to develop a final plan which is planned to start work in 2026 and continue through to 2035.