A vision for Jerrabomberra wetland in the heart of Canberra.

This site has location, location, location (to use real estate  language) and the potential to be a 'gateway' to Canberra for eco-tourism,  environmental education and recreational activities.

Located a few minutes from the city centre and airport, Jerrabomberra wetland, like sites such as the award winning Hunter Wetlands Centre and Banrock Station's Wine and Wetland Centre (see photos at right), could be attracting more than 100,000 visitors year.

Realising the vision depends on forming a private-public sector partnership to see the site managed for the things listed below and to see strong community volunteerism supporting the management. 

Importantly, the vision is about creating a money-making enterprise to keep the site well managed and able to maintain and improve its infrastructure over time.  In other words - creating a self-sustaining World class facility on or beside the wetland to showcase its values, to provide a place for Canberrans and visitors to relax and enjoy nature, and to boost eco-tourism in this city.

A Jerrabomberra Wetlands Centre could offer the following:

a vibrant wetland, carefully managed to promote wildlife and other values.

the opportunity to see platypus in Jerrabomberra creek so we can enjoy that special sight.

an environmental education, and especially water conservation and management centre, for both kids and adults.

  a place for relaxation with walking,

cycling and canoe trails, bird hides etc.

  a restaurant, conference centre and

 wedding hire venue to help make it commercially viable.

a possible home base for some of Canberra's

 water sport clubs, especially canoeing to help support the canoe trail operations (see above) and provide a ready supply of volunteers.

a feature part of Canberra's cycle path system.

a place we could develop as an outdoor 'classroom' with self-guided or group assisted tours of the educational and interpretive boards spread throughout the precinct.

a place that is noted nationally and internationally among renowned eco-tourists like grey nomads and bird watchers, and the tour bus companies, as an ideal destination, to stop, relax and spend time and money.

a place that catches the eye of business visitors driving past from the airport and draws them to want to run or cycle there as part of a daily exercise regime, or 'do' breakfast meetings there.

a place that with its wildlife and happy visitors

brightens the day of those visiting loved ones or staying at the hospice sitting on the opposite side of the river.

a possible demonstration site for how

 to use wetland reed beds to clean the polluted water flowing down stream and water from the adjoining sewage treatment plant.

a place to be used to catch and reduce carp

 numbers in Lake Burley Griffin - one its known breeding areas.  This and the above would help address the chronic blue-green algae problems in Canberra's showcase lake.

a natural extension of the Kingston foreshore precinct: a place for residents and visitors to relax and enjoy nature.

In short, a place that all Canberran's could be proud of and which would send a message nationally about how precious wetlands are and how we need to take greater care of them. It would also show how governments can work in partnership with the private sector and community interests to manage a natural asset within an urban setting.  This would truly make Canberra and bush capital.

Want to make a comment ?  We'd welcome your views so email them to us on bill.phillips@riversmart.org.au

A canoe trail around and through the wetland would be great fun, great exercise and a chance to see wildlife up close

This is how Jerrabomberra wetland could be

The above photos are of the Hunter Wetlands Centre...a success story that came about through the dedication and perseverance of a lot of passionate locals and some really business savvy people.

Below is Banrock Station's Wine and Wetlands Centre - another truly marvelous facility that demonstrate sustainability every way you turn.

Below is the Tamar Island Wetland Centre near Launceston, another Australian wetland centre that serves as a 'gateway' to its community. Is operated by volunteers working together with the State government.

Wonga Wetlands Centre, near Albury.  Operated by Albury City Council with help from local volunteer groups.  This site is World-renowned as a demonstration site for waste water treatment. It is a series of constructed wetlands through which all of Albury's treated sewage effluent passes to be 'polished' before it flows into the Murray River.  This water also irrigates pasture areas and helps water a Eucalypt plantation.  The Centre receives ten of thousands of school and other visitors each year to see the treatment system and great birdlife.

Cockburn Wetlands Centre, Perth. Another Centre that relies heavily on volunteers and is very popular as a training venue, for school excursions and nature enthusiasts.