ACT Greens MLA Johnathan Davis has surveyed Brindabella residents on how they want the ACT Government to revitalise the Lake Tuggeranong Foreshore – a $4.5 million commitment in the 2021–22 Budget.
“The people of Tuggeranong deserve high quality amenities and facilities,” Mr Davis said.
Mr Davis released the Listening Report this week, based on more than 430 responses to his survey, which ran from November to March.
“$4.5 million is a lot of money,” Mr Davis said. “It’s my job as a local member to ensure that money is spent wisely to best meet the expectations of my community.
“Lake Tuggeranong is the jewel in the crown of Tuggeranong, and the community are keen to ensure this opportunity for revitalisation isn’t wasted.”
Chris Steel MLA, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services, has received a copy of the report.
Mr Steel’s office said the government would make an announcement on Tuggeranong Foreshore on Monday.
According to the survey, people wanted to spend time by the lake recreationally; better basic, accessible infrastructure including paths, seating and toilets would allow this to happen.
The most requested additions to amenities were seating, more bins, and improved footpaths and or bike paths.
There was also strong support for increased use of native vegetation around the Lake, particularly around drain sites, to increase filtration and improve the health of the Lake.
The public also wanted more cafés and other eating options around the lake; more boat sport on the lake; and pop-up stalls or market events to make the lakeshore more enjoyable recreationally.
Water quality was integral to people’s ability to enjoy the Lake Tuggeranong Foreshore, Mr Davis’s report states. Respondents said more investment in evidence-based water quality improvements was essential for them to enjoy the Lake.
In 2019, Mr Davis noted, the University of Canberra confirmed that the main cause of algal pollution in Lake Tuggeranong was nutrient runoff. Last year, the government installed floating wetlands in the lake to clean up the algae.
The public was also concerned about the volume of litter, and wanted McDonalds and KFC to reduce the litter their products generated. Nicole Lawder, Canberra Liberals MLA for Brindabella, claimed that the owner of McDonalds offered last year to pay for more bins around the lake, but that Mr Steel decided it was not necessary.
Last year, Mr Davis supported Ms Lawder’s motion for the ACT Government to improve Lake Tuggeranong’s amenities.
Ms Lawder said today that she passed residents’ requests and suggestions on to Mr Steel “all the time”.
Many touched on the same issues Mr Davis had raised. The most common comments she heard related to improving the water quality of the lake, which was separate to the City Services funding, Ms Lawder noted.
Ms Lawder said residents told her they wanted wider cycling and pedestrian paths; connecting footpath links and surrounding infrastructure; a fence alongside the Learn to Ride Park; better maintenance of paths; signage for the Parkrun; dead trees and branches removed; fixing cycling choke points to reduce surrounding traffic; and better prevention of cars accessing the lakefront.
