Page 1558 - Week 05 - Thursday, 13 May 2021

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a Dance for Wellbeing with Dementia community program which enables people with dementia to visit the centre and to participate in arts activity with the appropriate supports in place.

Canberra—growth

Ms Vassarotti (in reply to a supplementary question by Mrs Kikkert on Thursday, 22 April 2021):

This has not been modelled or measured by the ACT Government.

Environment—dredging

Mr Steel (in reply to a question and a supplementary question by Ms Lawder on Friday, 23 June 2021):

TCCS is the custodian of, and responsible for, the maintenance of stormwater and waterways infrastructure in the ACT. TCCS works closely with environmental protection agencies to ensure the best environmental outcomes, including for water quality, environment protection, aquatic and riparian outcomes. Measures such as Environmental Management Plans and cross agency collaboration are implemented to ensure that maintenance works will generate the least disturbance to the environment and at the same time, improve water quality outcomes for the Territory.

The Fadden Pond is an important part of the stormwater infrastructure. It collects stormwater from the drainage channel upstream of Fadden, captures sediment and then, through other channels, feeds to Isabella Pond and others in the area which are part of the Healthy Waterways system. The method of removal of sediment from the Fadden Pond has been extensively consulted with environment protection agency subject matter experts and the outcomes of these consultations have been approved in the form of an Environmental Management Plan.

The removal of the sediment will be completed using a long reach excavator. This method is preferred by the environmental protection agencies to dredging and use of the eductor truck. It is also a more efficient and cost-effective method. The pond will not be emptied completely during the dredging process. Rather, the water level will be lowered to allow removal of the debris, service the overflow inlet and remove the excess sediment with a lesser disturbance to the wildlife.

The sediment material will be stored on a drying pad consisting of temporary fence panels and geotextile fabric around the perimeter to allow for the water to flow down, back to the pond. This method has been approved by the environmental protection agency as the movement of wet sediment pollutes roads during transportation. The scheduling of works during a dry weather spell will ensure the shortest drying time. The impact on residents should be minimal as the drying pad is located in an open space and behind a buffer of trees.

Leaving of sediment around the stormwater infrastructure is standard and is the preferred method as it minimises pollution during transportation and drying of a


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