A large pond amongst green space and footpaths, with tall buildings in the background

The wetland features new footpaths and benches.

16 April 2025

In brief:

  • A new wetland is now open on the eastern side of Belconnen Oval.
  • The wetland will help filter stormwater flows to reduce pollution.
  • The wetland is a great place to relax and explore.

You can now visit the new Belconnen Oval Wetland.

Located on the eastern side of Belconnen Oval, the wetland offers a peaceful space for the community.

The wetland will help filter stormwater flows to reduce pollution in Lake Ginninderra.

A peaceful space for the community 

The community had input in the wetland's construction.

It’s a great place for people to enjoy on their own or spend time with friends and family.

There are new footpaths for exploring, and benches where people can sit and relax in nature.

Visitors should take care and walk only on the footpaths, as the plants, reeds and grasses are still maturing. Over the years these will create a thriving, natural ecosystem.

Improving our waterways

The wetland's ponds filter out about 30% of harmful nutrients and solids from Emu Bank's catchment water. This helps prevent toxic blue-green algae in the lake.

This is the first stormwater wetland in Australia to include subsurface elements, in addition to a traditional wetland and ponds. Meaning water flows underground through the roots of the wetland plants.

The plants above ground get food through their roots taking in water and nutrients. This also helps clean the stormwater below them.

The ACT Healthy Waterways program

The Belconnen Oval Wetland project is part of the ACT Healthy Waterways program.

The program runs projects to protect and improve water quality in the ACT and the Murrumbidgee River systems.

These projects provide innovative ways to:

  • make sure our water is clean and healthy
  • make efficient use of our water systems.

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