Healthy and resilient natural environment

Enivornment and climate

Healthy and resilient natural environment

Ensuring the health of our natural environment remains one of the most important actions in preserving the wellbeing of both current and future generations.

Ecosystem condition

This measure shows the health and resilience across four ACT ecosystems.

This is important because healthy ecosystems sustain all life. Exposure to healthy natural environments contributes to emotional and physical wellbeing.

The average health condition of our ecosystems is moderate, with a score of 2.3 out of 4. Ecosystem condition is scored between 4 (good) and 1 (poor).

Over time, these results have remained stable across each ecosystem. The combined result for all ecosystems dropped in 2023 due to inclusion of the newly assessed ‘bogs & fens’ ecosystem.

Results from CEMP assessments from upland grasslands (2019), lowland grasslands (2017), aquatic & riparian (2019), and bogs and fens (2022). Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate administrative data.

Line graphs of ecosystem condition scores for 4 ecosystems, where 4 = good and 1 = poor, between 2017 and 2023. In 2023, the average score of all ecosystems, labelled ‘all’, was 2.3 compared to 2.5 in 2020.

These results were drawn from the Conservation Effectiveness Monitoring Program (CEMP) framework. Surveys are run periodically for each ecosystem.

Scores are out of 4, where 4 = good, 3 = good with some concerns, 2 = moderate and 1 = poor.

Status of threats to the natural environment

This measure shows the level of key threats facing native ecosystems in the ACT. This is important because it provides a broad indication of the severity of ecological stressors across the ACT.

The current status of threats to the natural environment is moderate, with an average score of 2.2 out of 4. Status of threats is scored between 4 (good) and 1 (poor).

Over time, these results have remained stable across each ecosystem. The combined result for all ecosystems dropped in 2023. This was due to inclusion of the newly assessed 'bogs & fens' ecosystem.

Results from CEMP assessments from Upland Grasslands (2019), Lowland Grasslands (2017), Aquatic & Riparian (2019), and Bogs and Fens (2022). Accessed: Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate administrative data.

Line graphs representing threats to native ecosystems for 4 ecosystems, where 4 = good and 1 = poor, between 2017 and 2023. In 2023, the average score of all ecosystems, labelled ‘all’, was 2.2 compared to 2.5 in 2020.

These results were drawn from the Conservation Effectiveness Monitoring Program (CEMP) framework.

Scores are out of 4, where 4 = good, 3 = good with some concerns, 2 = moderate and 1 = poor.

Catchment health

This measure shows the overall condition of Canberra's water catchments (water quality, waterbugs and vegetation). This is important because healthy water and catchment life help reduce pollutants and provide clean air and water.

Catchments are scored between 1 (excellent) and 5 (degraded) every year.

Conditions improved in five out of nine catchments from 2020 to 2022. This was due to the high amounts of rainfall over this period. Conditions in one catchment declined, while three showed no net change.

Catchment conditions have improved since 2015 due mainly to the high rainfall conditions of recent years.

Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate administrative data.

Line graphs of water catchment health ratings for 9 catchments, where 1 = excellent and 5 = degraded, between 2015 and 2022. In 2022:

  • Belconnen scored 3.1, compared to 3.1 in 2021
  • Gunghalin scored 3.1, compared to 3.0 in 2021
  • Inner North scored 3.2, compared to 3.2 in 2021
  • Tuggeranong scored 3.1, compared to 3.1 in 2021.

Annual scores are calculated from measures of water quality, macroinvertebrate community health, and riparian vegetation condition, following the methods described in Catchment Health Indicator Program (CHIP) Reports - Waterwatch.

Water quality

This measure shows the quality of water flowing through our rivers, streams, and urban waterways. This is important because clean water is essential for health and wellbeing.

Water quality is scored between 1 (excellent) and 5 (degraded) every year.

Water quality in most of the ACT’s nine catchments declined in 2020 as heavy rainfall washed pollutants into ACT waterways after the 2019 bushfires.

With the continuing wet conditions, water quality conditions improved in five of the nine catchments from 2020 to 2022. Three showed no net change and one catchment showed a decline in water quality.

Average water quality has remained stable since 2015.

Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate administrative data.

Line graphs of water quality scores for 9 catchments, where 1 = excellent and 5 = degraded, between 2015 and 2022. In 2022:

  • Belconnen scored 2.3, compared to 2.3.in 2021
  • Gunghalin scored 2.2, compared to 2.0 in 2021
  • Inner North scored 2.5, compared to 2.7 in 2021
  • Tuggeranong scored 2.3, compared to 2.3 in 2021.

Annual scores are calculated from 6 measures of water quality following the methods described in Catchment Health Indicator Program (CHIP) Reports - Waterwatch.

Air quality - annual

This measure shows the number of days per year that air pollutants exceeded the national air quality standards. Air quality is important because the air we breathe affects our health, environment and quality of life.

Canberra’s air quality is very good compared to other Australian cities. There were only 5 days of ‘poor’ air quality from particulate matter in 2021 and 1 day in 2022-23.

For the first time since 2004, the daily particulate matter (PM2.5) standard was not exceeded in 2022.

There were six days of ‘poor’ air quality across 2021 to 2023. This compares to 82 days of 'poor' to 'hazardous’ ratings in 2019 to 2020 due to bushfires. From 2013 to 2018, air quality standards were exceeded on 47 days.

ACT Government Open Data Portal- air quality monitoring data.

Stacked column chart of the number of poor, very poor and hazardous days by year between 2012 and 2023. In 2023, there was one poor day, compared with zero poor days in 2022. Zero very poor or hazardous days were recorded in 2022 and 2023.

Exceedances at one or more air quality monitoring stations doesn't necessarily reflect uniform distribution/observation across Canberra.

Days’ air quality equals or exceeds ‘Poor’ as defined by the six categories in the Air Quality Index (AQI) (Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, Very Poor and Hazardous) with ’Poor’ indicating air quality exceeds the national Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure (AAQ NEPM) standards.

ACT Health carries out monthly data validation for the three air quality monitoring station readings, with 1-2 months lapse.

ACT Health is responsible for operating the three monitoring stations at Monash, Florey and Civic in accordance with the AAQ NEPM. ACT Health is responsible for the AQI and setting the AQI categories.

The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate has policy responsibility for the AAQ NEPM. The ACT Environment Minister as a member of the National Environment Protection Council responsible for setting the AAQ NEPM standards and is responsible for the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 under which NEPMs are made.

The Environment Protection Authority is responsible for data validation and annual reporting against the AAQ NEPM in the National Environment Protection Council Annual Report and for production of the annual ACT Air Quality Report.

View further details and daily visualisations and comparison of air pollutants at ACT Health - Air Quality.