Landcare ACT and its partners are restoring river landscapes across the Canberra region through the ACT Community Waterways Restoration Project, supported by the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program and the ACT Government. The Urban Rivers and Catchments Program delivers on the Australian Government’s $200 million election commitment to restore the health of our urban waterways for native plants and animals, and local communities. Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of threatened plants occur in urban areas, which they share with 96 per cent of Australia’s population. We are thrilled to share what our partners and incredible volunteers have achieved across Canberra’s waterways.

Smashing Debris Removal Targets
This quarter, we completed 6.67km of debris removal along Canberra’s waterways, bringing our project total to 16.58km against a target of 15km. Debris in and around waterways can smother vegetation, block water flow, and degrade habitat for native wildlife, so clearing it is an important step in giving our rivers room to recover. None of this would have been possible without the hard-working volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in alongside our partners.

Nearly Tripling Our Weed Removal Goal
We tackled 30.5 hectares of weeds across Canberra this quarter, bringing our project total to 142.46ha against a project target of 113.5ha. Our partners worked across more than 20 species, including ivy, thistles, poplars, boxthorn, and blackberry, carefully matching the removal technique to each weed type to get the best outcome. This work is critical: clearing out the competition now gives our native species the best possible chance to thrive when we move into remediation next quarter. Every hectare treated is a step closer to healthier, more resilient waterways for Canberra.

Community Events Bringing People Together
We held four community events this quarter, bringing our project total to 28 events delivered against a target of 18. Each event brings together people from all walks of life who share a passion for caring for Country. Building that culture of stewardship is at the heart of this project, and we hope it lasts long beyond the project itself, leaving a legacy that is good for our rivers and good for our community.

Get Involved
Want to help restore Canberra’s waterways? Follow us on social media and keep an eye on our website for upcoming events. We would love to have you join us out on the ground.