re Fyshwick Sewage Ponds access

[Denis Wilson <>]

My father, Steve Wilson, was a seasoned traveller and would make his first stop in any new town (his first visit, I mean) - at the Tourist Office. There he always asked to be told where the Sewage Treatment Plant was. It was a standing joke of his.

So, bird-friendly plantings could be considered as a revenue raiser for the ACT Government (under the heading of a Tourist Attraction).

More generally, landscaping and "planting" as Mark Clayton has suggested is of insignificant cost, via-a-vis the physical/engineering construction costs of repairing sewage ponds.

I strongly support the approach outlined by Mark. But perhaps a "local" example could be chosen, rather than Henderson Sewage Works in Las Vegas in Utah.

Werribee is pretty famous amongst birders is it not?

I seem to recall enjoying some of Geoffrey Dabb's photo essays from his alma mater (well, at least Geelong, if not quite Werribee Treatment Plant).

Denis Wilson

Denis Wilson
Springtime - Ya wouldn't be dead for Quids.

"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com.au

On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 1:28 PM, Mark Clayton <> wrote:

Chris,

 

Has anyone from COG had a chance to discuss landscaping of the FSW? ACTEW now have the chance to make the area into a much more bird friendly site. Several years ago I visited, as I am sure other COG members have, the Henderson Sewage Works in Las Vegas in Utah. Most of the area is no longer a functioning  treatment plant and has been taken over by the local birders and extensively planted making it an excellent place to visit. The ponds still hold water so you get the variety of ducks and wading birds you would expect, plus the plantings attract a host of other species such as hummingbirds and small passerines. They even had Greater Roadrunners and Coyotes.

 

We have the opportunity to get something constructive done here, let’s not waste it!

 

Cheers,

Mark

 

From: Chris Davey [
Sent: Thursday, 17 October 2013 10:27 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] re Fyshwick Sewage Ponds access

 

Hi,

 

Today I had the opportunity to meet and discuss access issues to the Fyshwick Sewage Ponds with the Remote Plants Engineer from ACTEW Water.  As you may be aware remedial work has been occurring at the Ponds for a few months now and as the area had been declared a building site the area has been closed to the general public.   Due to unforeseen circumstances associated with bank stabilisation the area will remain closed for at least another 6 months.

One outcome of the meeting was an indication from ACTEW that a better signage strategy will be develop to inform the public concerning access.

 

I am confident that good communications are now in place between COG and ACTEW.  I will be the COG contact so as soon as I have any further news concerning access I will let you know.

 

In the meantime I urge members not to visit the area to allow ACTEW to finish the works as soon as possible.

 

Chris Davey (Vice-president)