ACT Greens Member for Brindabella Johnathan Davis MLA will tomorrow move a motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly calling on the ACT Government to do more to protect Lake Tuggeranong from grass clippings and leaf litter.
"A recent survey from the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment showed that when it came to the health of Lake Tuggeranong, the community was most concerned about litter, blue-green algae and pest fish populations. But scientists studying water quality in Lake Tuggeranong tell us that the biggest issue is organic matter from grass clippings and leaf litter that enter our lakes and waterways" Mr Davis said.
"I'm thrilled that ACT Greens Minister for Water Shane Rattenbury is honouring a range of ACT Greens election commitments related to water, including investing more money into the 'Health Waterways' program, securing more than $20.5 million for the program so far this term. However, I am concerned that a lot of that investment risks being wasted if the ACT Government isn't cleaning up after itself".
Mr Davis is calling on the ACT Government to better support our hardworking Transport Canberra & City Services mowing teams by exploring options to improve the collection of grass clippings and leaf litter from its mowing program to protect our lakes and waterways.
"The ACT Government is investing in programs like 'The Leaf Collective' to help educate the community about the effect grass clippings and leaf litter have on our lakes and waterways. The ACT Government has a responsibility to make sure it's leading by example and ensuring its own mowing program is reducing grass clippings and leaf litter making its way to our lakes and waterways".
"This could include using mowers with catchers, increasing the rate of street sweeping, trailing a dedicated street-sweeping and a post-mowing collection program or installing collection nets inside storm water drains - perhaps even all of these things and at once. I'm asking the ACT Government to give our mowing team the tools and investment they need to be a part of the solution to cleaner lakes and waterways".
"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the groups committed to protecting and improving water quality in Lake Tuggeranong including the Tuggeranong Lake and Catchment Carers, the Tuggeranong Community Council and the Southern ACT Catchment Group to name a few. I will continue to work with these groups and advocate strongly for programs and investments to improve Lake Tuggeranong" Mr Davis concluded.
