Plan for $13m wetlands to help clean the River Torrens
The Torrens could look a whole lot healthier under a $13 million proposal for a series of wetlands along the waterway.
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Improving water quality and making it difficult for blue-green algae to grow is at the heart of a proposed $13 million wetlands fix for the River Torrens.
Adelaide City Council will at its meeting on Tuesday discuss the benefits of building wetlands near Pinky Flat, Elder Park, Jolly’s Boathouse, the City Weir, Adelaide University and the Adelaide Zoo.
A report to the council said wetlands would reduce the Torrens Lake’s water volume and flow, minimise the impact from birds and carp and make it difficult for blue-green algae to grow.
It would also help Adelaide City reach its target of having 7500sq m of aquatic plants in the River Torrens.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said no funding had been earmarked for the proposal, still in its early stages, which was expected to cost about $13 million.
“The wetlands will clean the water … which would basically mean the health of the river would be there forever,” Ms Verschoor said.
“The plantings themselves, you get different bird life and different fish, but you would also get better water and air quality.”
There would also be channels specifically for boats to use.
Another option staff suggested included shallowing the entire lake, however, that was ruled out because it would have adversely impacted the Popeye and rowers.
“They know where they can go through so it is just making sure, from a safety perspective, they can continue to operate,” Ms Verschoor said.
It comes as a council report showed some initiatives to improve the health of the Torrens over the years had fallen flat.
These included reintroducing vegetation because some of the plants were eaten by waterbirds, while a topical application of hydrogen peroxide did not show a decrease in blue-green algae.
The council has not had to close the lake entirely because of algae since 2012.
Cr Mary Couros last week asked for an update on River Torrens water quality and how the council could work with the State Government and other partners to address its issues.
“At the moment, people just turn their nose to it … improving the Torrens is very much needed,” Cr Couros said.
“We need to play to our strengths and make sure the River Torrens is the hero of our city and welcoming for tourists.”
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Adelaide City Council in 1980 banned swimming in its waterways — including the River Torrens — because of deteriorating water quality.