17 December
2009 - Work will begin in the new year on
a multimillion dollar construction project
to pipe water from Lake Burley Griffin to
the Australian National Botanic Gardens
in Canberra.
Environment Minister
Peter Garrett and ACT Senator Kate Lundy
today announced the successful tenderer,
the NSW construction firm Draincorp.
The project secures
a long term water supply for the Gardens
to maintain its living collection, delivering
on a key election commitment for the ACT.
“This project will deliver
170 million litres of lake water a year,
to ensure this fantastic living collection
– the largest collection of Australian native
plants in the world – continues to thrive,”
Mr Garrett said.
“It means horticulturalists
can irrigate the living collection even
with tough water restrictions - and very
importantly, it will free up valuable drinking
water for the Canberra community.
“This is the fulfilment
of an important election commitment by the
Rudd Government – we’re providing $1.5 million
under the Government’s Water for the Future
- National Water Security Plan for Cities
and Towns and another $1.4 million in funding
through the Director of National Parks,
to pipe water from Lake Burley Griffin.”
Water for the Future
is the Australian Government's 10-year,
$12.9 billion initiative to prepare Australia
for a future with less water, focusing on
four key priorities: taking action on climate
change, using water wisely, securing water
supplies and supporting healthy rivers.
Senator Lundy said the
Gardens showcases the extraordinary diversity
of Australia’s native plant species, with
more than 400,000 Australian and international
visitors every year.
“The Gardens is not
only much loved by the people of Canberra
– it is a national treasure, a great national
institution with a growing role in scientific
research,” Senator Lundy said.
“The living collection
represents more than one-third of Australia’s
plant biodiversity – and with this investment,
its future is secure.”
Mr Garrett and Senator
Lundy inspected the water saving techniques
which have cut the Gardens water use by
more than 20 per cent, before visiting the
newly renovated waterwise emu bush garden
and planting two waterwise emu bush, Eremophila
christopheri.
The National Capital
Authority and the ACT Government have agreed
to an allowance of 170 million litres from
the lake each year. Subject to approvals,
it is expected that work will be completed
for the Gardens to switch to lake water
by next summer.
For tips on making your
garden waterwise, visit www.anbg.gov.au/news.html
