Work will begin in the new year on a multi-million dollar construction project to pipe water from Lake Burley Griffin to the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra.
The project secures a long-term water supply for the gardens to maintain its living collection, which is the largest collection of Australian native plants in the world.
“It means horticulturalists can irrigate the living collection even with tough water restrictions - and very importantly, it will free up valuable drinking water for the Canberra community," said Environment Minister Peter Garrett.
The project is part of the Federal Government’s Water for the Future - National Water Security Plan for Cities and TownsWater for the Future, a 10-year, $12.9 billion initiative to prepare Australia for a future with less water. The plan focuses on four key priorities: taking action on climate change, using water wisely, securing water supplies and supporting healthy rivers.
The living collection represents more than one-third of Australia’s plant biodiversity.
Garrett and ACT Senator Kate Lundy say water saving techniques have cut water use at the gardens by over 20 per cent.
Subject to approvals, it is expected that work will be completed for the gardens to switch to lake water by next summer.
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