Page 1199 - Week 04 - Friday, 23 April 2021
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(b) These developments are being undertaken by private businesses and it is their decision as to when to start construction. The construction program and any community updates for these developments are matters for the respective developers.
Waste—liquid waste
(Question No 148)
Ms Castley asked the Minister for Business and Better Regulation, upon notice, on 1 April 2021 (redirected to the Minister for Transport and City Services):
(1) Is the Minister aware that liquid waste and waste from gutters, drains and toxic spills is being dumped at the Australian National University cricket grounds and that trucks are dumping loads into the area which is then leaching and possibly flooding into the catchment of Lake Burley Griffin.
(2) Is the Minister aware that this area is currently being used as a liquid waste disposal site by environmental waste management companies and contractors who are engaged by the ACT Government to clean hazardous waste from gutters and drains and toxic spills.
(3) Can the Minister advise what action will be taken to ensure this area isn’t used in this manner.
Mr Steel: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) owns, operates, and maintains the stormwater network. Activities such as cleaning gross pollutant traps (GPTs), desilting sediment basins, unblocking and monitoring the stormwater network and litter picking around waterways assist to enhance water quality. The site referred to above is located in Turner adjacent to the ANU cricket grounds and is a designated GPT and drying pad. This site is used to dry the collected liquid waste from the stormwater network before disposal to landfill. The GPT is designed and operated specifically to improve water quality in Lake Burley Griffin. Removing debris (organic material and anthropogenic litter) from Sullivans Creek is a critical activity to protect the lake from excessive nutrient pollution which may lead to algal outbreaks.
(2) TCCS engages a contractor to remove debris from the Turner GPT at least twice per year and after rain events of 25mm or more. If inspections indicate GPTs are 60 percent or more full, debris is removed from the traps. The debris is placed adjacent to the Turner GPT to dry and is subsequently disposed of in landfill in accordance with TCCS’ Environmental Authorisation issued by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
(3) The Turner GPT assists to prevent negative water quality impacts in Lake Burley Griffin from sediment, debris captured in the stormwater system. This large trap may be cleaned between 4-8 times per year depending on the number of rainfall events.
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