1: Introduction

1.1 Background

Lake Burley Griffin is an integral part of Walter Burley Griffin's design for Canberra and is a vital and key element in the plan for the National Capital (National Capital Development Commission, 1981 and 1988). The Lake (which was created in 1964) is not only one of the centrepieces of Canberra's plan in its own right but also forms the immediate foreground of the Parliamentary Zone.

Lying within the National Capital Open Space System (NCOSS), the Lake is part of the nationally significant open space framework, visual backdrop and landscape setting for the National Capital, and contributes to the system that protects the environmental quality of the city.

The Lake's overall management is guided by the principles and policies of the National Capital Plan and the Lake Burley Griffin Management Plan 1995. This plan (LBGMP1995) acknowledges a range of uses for the Lake, consistent with the policies of the National Capital Plan.

The above policies direct that the water quality and hydraulic operation of the Lake be maintained in a manner that protects the Lake and its foreshores, as well as their visual and symbolic roles. Should the water quality of the Lake not be managed effectively, these functions and values could be compromised, leading to stakeholder and community dissatisfaction.

1.2 Need for a Plan

The Authority manages comprehensive water quality programs to monitor the water quality conditions against parameters set out in ANZECC/ARMCANZ Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), prepared under the National Water Quality Management Strategy.

One of the key outcomes of the ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines is to develop site-specific water quality guidelines and management plans, tailored to local conditions.

It is therefore critical that the Lake management strategies include the development of a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) to address those issues.

1.3 Structure of the Document

The document contains the following:

Introductory Sections

Part 1: Explanatory Paper

The Explanatory Paper provides the background information for the development of the Water Quality Management Plan and outlines:

Part 2: Management Response

The Water Quality Management Plan summarises the benchmark values, which then help to detect possible threats to water quality in terms of public health and environmental management. The Water Quality Management Plan provides details of: