Point Hut Pond District Park

For recreation and conservation

• Location
• Facilities
• History
• Water quality protection for the Murrumbidgee River
• Designed for recreation and conservation
• A unique recreation conservation facility
• Reference
  

Location

Accessible from Woodcock Drive and Knoke Street, Gordon.

• A map showing Tuggeranong with the location of Point Hut Pond District Park marked.
• A map of Point Hut Pond District Park.

Facilities

Picnic areas, electric barbecues, public toilets and an adventure recreation facility which includes two flying foxes and a basketball court.

History

The origins of Point Hut Pond District Park can be traced back to the construction in the 1980s of a water pollution control pond to protect the quality of the waters of the Murrumbidgee River. As part of this development wetland conservation areas were provided and an area set aside for recreation on the eastern shore. Facilities have been provided along the eastern shore. When mature, the entire development will function as an integrated recreation-conservation facility, where the community will be able to on the one hand engage in active reacreation and on the other hand explore evolving shoreline ecosystems.

Water quality protection for the Murrumbidgee River

Development of the National Capital as a large inland city has recognised the critical importance of the Murrumbidgee River and its tributaries from both a landscape and also ecological perspective. In the Tuggeranong area special attention has been given to preserving the Murrumbidgee River Corridor and protecting the river's ecology. The Point Hut Water Pollution Control Pond is a key facility in the achievement of these objectives at the southern part of Tuggeranong.

The pond, constructed prior to the urbanisation of Gordon, Banks and Condor, was designed as a physical and biological treatment facility for urban stormwater runoff. Wetland conservation zones have been deliberately created through the construction, and stabilisation, with vegetation, of islands and shore edges so as to assist in the improvement of the pond's water prior to it flowing into the Murrumbidgee River. These measures will take some time to reach maturity. Aquatic birds have already occupied the area.

Recreation facilites on the eastern shore of the pond have come at a much later time and have followed in particular the occupation of these three suburbs.

Designed for recreation and conservation

Design has been directed at the provision for young families of adventure type recreation facilities and in addition opportunities for exploring the emerging wetland conservation areas associated with the pond edge and islands.

The recreation facility, which was financed by the Tuggeranong Valley Rugby Union and Amateur Sports Club in association with the ACT Government, centres on a challenging adventure playground to meet the needs of young people of all ages.

A unique recreation conservation facility

The recreation facilities at Point Hut Pond District Park ensure strong attendance at weekends of children of all ages and young families. As the flora and fauna of the park evolves they will become of increasing interest to the community and the park has considerable potential as an educational facility.

Make a point of visiting this park from time to time and enjoy not only its recreation opportunities, but also its changing and evolving flora and fauna. Reflect also on the importance of the facility in protecting one of Australia's major rivers, which is so important to the success of Canberra as a significant inland city.

Reference

Gray, J (1997) The Historical and Cultural Background of Selected Urban Parks in Canberra.