SHANE Rattenbury has opened a new walking trail and eco friendly boardwalk at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve as part of World Wetlands Day celebrations.

“The ACT Government invested $340,000 in the construction of the eco friendly boardwalk and footbridge which provides universal access to Kelly’s Swamp, a popular bird-watching site within the reserve, without harming the environment,” Shane said.

“The Jerrabomberra Wetlands is an ecologically sensitive site, and great care has been taken with this project to avoid disturbing birds in Kelly’s Swamp and Jerrabomberra Creek. The design includes a rusted metal frame with composite nylon mesh for decking. The trail uses an innovative footing design which greatly reduced the environmental impact of the construction.

“Makin Trax, a local contractor with experience working within conservation reserves, was contracted to build the footbridge and boardwalk, with the gravel paths each side built by ACT Parks and Conservation Service staff. Volunteers from the Friends of Jerrabomberra Wetlands as well as the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Management Committee have also been heavily involved in the project.

“The Jerrabomberra Wetlands supports a fantastic variety of waterbirds and other fauna and flora in the heart of Canberra.

“Up to 200 bird species have been spotted in the Wetlands and if you’re lucky you might even see a platypus, turtles or other wildlife. The wetlands contain mudflats, reed beds, drowned grasslands, dense riparian vegetation, short grassy banks and deep river pools.

“This new boardwalk is another great reason to visit the Jerrabomberra Wetlands. It provides visitors to the site an even greater opportunity to experience all the wildlife this unique urban wetland has to offer,” Mr Rattenbury concluded.