ACT Community Waterways Restoration Project

A collaboration between Landcare ACT, Buru Ngunawal Aboriginal Corporation, Ginninderra Catchment Group, Molonglo Conservation Group, and Southern ACT Catchment Group

The ACT Community Waterways Restoration Project is part of the Australian Government’s $200 million Urban Rivers and Catchments Program. The program restores the health of urban waterways for native plants, animals, and local communities as a part of the Federal Government’s Nature Positive agenda.

Nearly half of Australia’s threatened animals and a quarter of its threatened plants live in urban areas. By improving water quality, restoring habitats, and expanding green and blue spaces, the program conserves ecosystems, strengthens climate resilience, and supports healthier communities.

In Canberra, the project will:

Restore riparian areas and improve water quality
Work closely with ACT NRM to work on high priority sites, and;
Involve the community in weed control, revegetation, and erosion management.

The work is a partnership between Landcare ACT, Buru Ngunawal Aboriginal Corporation, Ginninderra Catchment Group, Molonglo Conservation Group, and Southern ACT Catchment Group.

Restoration activities will take place across the Ginninderra, Molonglo, and Southern ACT Catchments. This will support biodiversity, improve public spaces for recreation, and reduce urban heat impacts. By June 2027, the project will deliver lasting benefits through healthier waterways, stronger habitats, and active community engagement.

Improved Habitat

By June 2027, the project will restore 113.5 hectares of riparian habitat across the Ginninderra, Molonglo, and Southern ACT Catchments. Targeted actions—such as invasive plant control and riparian revegetation—will create healthier conditions for native flora and fauna. Threatened aquatic species including the Macquarie Perch, Murray Cod, and Murray Crayfish will directly benefit as habitats become more resilient and ecologically balanced.

Improved Water Quality

The project will reduce sedimentation and pollution through erosion control, pollutant removal, and vegetation buffers. By June 2027 it will:

Implement erosion control along 32 km of waterways to protect species such as the Macquarie Perch, Trout Cod, Platypus, and Rakali.
Install gross pollutant removal measures along 15 km of river systems.
Establish 24 hectares of riparian revegetation to filter pollutants and improve water quality for wildlife including the Eastern Long-necked Turtle.
Enhanced Urban Green and Blue Spaces
The project also invests in community and cultural connections.

By June 2025 it will deliver:

24 cultural water activities led by Ngunawal people, strengthening cultural ties to Country.
18 community engagement activities that build stewardship, expand access to green and blue spaces, and foster social wellbeing.

See our achievements one year in to the project here

This project received funding from the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with assistance from the ACT Government.