Media Release

The Hon. Tanya Plibersek (Minister for Environment and Water),

The Hon. Andrew Leigh (Member for Fenner)

David Smith (Member for Bean)

The Albanese Labor Government is investing over $3.2 million to protect and improve the health of ACT waterways, including the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.

This investment comes during Landcare Week and will expand and improve critical habitat for local populations of eight frog species, platypus, water dragons and the eastern long-necked turtle in the ACT region.

A $2.7 million project delivered by Landcare ACT will remove harmful pollutants and sediment, helping to restore the Ginninderra, Molonglo and Southern ACT catchments, supporting healthier waterways and safer habitat for our native species.

A $450,000 project delivered by Woodlands and Wetlands Trust will include the removal of weeds, plant trees and stabilise banks in the Jerrabomberra Wetlands. This project will also provide the community with better access to nature in the wetlands.

This is part of the Government’s $200 million investment in projects that help community groups, NGOs, councils and First Nations groups clean up and restore their local rivers and waterways. This includes activities like planting native species along creeks and building small-scale wetlands to improve water quality.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:

“We want to leave nature better off for our kids and grandkids, and that means repairing damage to our environment and better protecting it for the future.

“That’s why we’re investing $200 million in projects to revitalise our urban rivers and creeks. We want to support the groups on the ground who understand the needs in their community and are working to better manage and restore their local environment.”

“Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants occur in urban areas. We need to act now to protect them.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Fenner, the Hon Andrew Leigh MP:

“Canberrans love nature and it’s great to be part of a Government that’s investing in cleaning up our waterways. Improving water quality and access to natural spaces is good for native frogs and fishes and for the whole community.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne MP:

“Waterways are a huge part of life in the bush capital and healthy waterways are the lifeblood of our environment.

“Landcare ACT and the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust play a key role in environmental stewardship in the ACT.”

“As we celebrate Landcare Week, we also recognise the critical role of volunteers. The collective work of community volunteers with the Ginninderra, Molonglo, and Southern ACT Catchment Groups has a huge impact on the health of our waterways, their surrounding environments and the rich biodiversity they support.”

“This funding will make a real difference in cleaning up the ACT’s waterway and catchments and protecting habitat for our unique native species, including platypus, frogs, and birdlife.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Bean, David Smith MP:

“This funding will be crucial to cleaning up ACT’s waterways and catchments and improving conditions for our native species such as frogs, turtles, and birdlife.

“The $3.2 million investment will improve water quality and provide our community with better access to nature and open green space.

“It will also strengthen the resilience of the local area in dealing with the impacts of climate change.”