The Conservation Council of the ACT Region welcomes the ACT Government’s announcement of a 10-year Healthy Waterways Plan for Lake Tuggeranong, supported by a $2.7 million investment in the 2026-27 Budget.
“We welcome Minister Orr’s funding announcement, particularly the commitment to community education and supporting residents to improve their gardening practices – a key priority identified through consultation with the Tuggeranong community,” said Executive Director Dr Simon Copland.
“Lake Tuggeranong has suffered from toxic blue-green algal blooms for far too many years, and residents are frustrated with a lake that is often too polluted to enjoy”
“Many Canberrans don’t realise that Lake Tuggeranong ultimately drains into the Murrumbidgee River, and that the lake plays an important role as a sediment trap for urban inflows.”
“This is exactly the kind of investment our urban waterways need across the ACT. Funding on-ground actions to improve water quality and reduce nutrient loads will have flow-on benefits across the whole catchment.”
The Conservation Council also recognises the tireless efforts of volunteer groups such as the Southern ACT Catchment Group in improving the health of Lake Tuggeranong.
“The Southern ACT Catchment Group and its member organisations have worked for many years to remove debris from the lake and conduct vital monitoring through the Waterwatch program.”