Canberra’s network of constructed urban wetlands, built as part of the Integrated Urban Waterways Project, is an example of an action aimed at increasing resilience of the ACT’s socioecological systems.
These constructed wetlands have transformed sections of Canberra’s concrete stormwater drains into living systems. The wetlands, replacing concrete storm drains, aim to provide improved landscape aesthetics and livability for residents, increased biodiversity and a means of capturing stormwater to reuse on local sports fields. The latter function enables use of these fields for longer periods during times of water scarcity.
The constructed wetlands have increased the benefits that Canberrans receive from their local ecosystems while making parts of the system more resilient in times of weather extremes. It is a good example of a project intended to improve resilience of the system as a whole, rather than only focusing on a single aspect (eg recreation, biodiversity or water scarcity).
Dickson Wetland with playing fields in the background. Photo: Edwina Robinson