Lower Cotter Catchment
Vanity's Crossing closed to protect ACT water supplyTerritory and Municipal Services wishes to advise the public that Vanity’s Crossing, which crosses the Cotter River upstream of the enlarged Cotter Dam, is permanently closed to unauthorised vehicle access to protect the ACT’s drinking water supply. Gates were installed on either side of the crossing in mid-November 2011. The gates, which remained open until 6 February 2012, are now permanently closed to prevent vehicular access. TAMS’ decision to permanently close Vanity’s Crossing follows advice from ActewAGL and is a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of contamination or an event which would make the Cotter Reservoir temporarily unusable as a source of drinking water. Signage has been in place along roads leading to Vanity’s Crossing since November 2011 to alert people to the impending closure. For more information about the permanent closure of Vanity's Crossing please view the Frequently Asked Questions ( For more information about the ActewAGL Source Water Protection program email sourcewater@actewagl.com.au |
The ACT's Lower Cotter Catchment (LCC) restoration project is the largest land rehabilitation project of its type in Australia. The lower part of the catchment of the Cotter Reservoir comprises of around 10,000 hectares of land, a mix of native vegetation, cleared former pine plantation and recently planted pine plantation. The pine areas comprise of around 5,000 hectares and represent the focus for rehabilitation. The project's aim, Clean Water, Healthy Landscapes as outlined in the Lower Cotter Catchment Strategic Management Plan is a vision that became even more paramount with the ACT Chief Minister's announcement that Cotter Reservoir would be enlarged to provide water security for the ACT region.
Over 3,500 hectares of pine plantation destroyed in the January 2003 bushfires, is being converted to native vegetation. This involves controlling weeds such as pine wildlings and blackberry, replanting native vegetation, managing fire, and monitoring and promoting natural regeneration. Native vegetation is the most desirable in the water catchment because of its ability to tolerate fire. Pine plantations are less desirable because of the disturbance needed to either harvest and replant the mature trees, or clear and replant tress destroyed by fire.
Another major component of the LCC restoration is the management of roads and trails. These are identified as major sources of sediment to watercourses and eventually to the Cotter Reservoir. Many roads and trails needed for management of the former plantation forest are no longer required and have been closed and rehabilitated. The remaining roads needed for land and fire management have been upgraded to a high standard to minimise sediment movement. For more information on the approach taken in the LCC Strategic Management Plan, refer to the CSIRO Report: Review of Scientific Literature Relevant to the LCC
Community Events
Since 2006, Greening Australia has been the ACT Government's major partner in restoring the LCC, where they have engaged thousands of community volunteers in planting and maintaining over 200,000, shrubs and grasses in the LCC. The ACT Government provided funding until Canberra’s Centenary in 2013, to assist Greening Australia to continue to facilitate community involvement in ‘Transforming the Cotter'.
- Greening Australia Project Report July 09 – June 10 (
PDF 1750Kb) - Greening Australia Project Report July 10 – June 11 ( PDF 1.8Mb)
Greening Australia events are well organised, satisfying, enjoyable and nearly always include food! If you'd like to get involved, contact Greening Australia on phone (02) 6253 3035.
Pine Wildling Control
Since pine wildling control commenced in late 2006, around 2,000 hectares of the LCC have been cleared of feral pine trees - an enormous achievement. This has been achieved by physical removal (lopping or chainsawing) by a range of contractors, staff and community volunteers. Pine wildling control will continue for the foreseeable future as following up on previous control is essential for long term success.
If you'd like to help, join a volunteer crew with Conservation Volunteers Australia
Blackberry Control
In the LCC some blackberry spraying is completed or underway on roadsides throughout the Pierces Creek sub-catchment including Vanitys Road, East West Break, New Pipeline Road, Pierces Creek Road and Laurel Camp Road. West of the Cotter River, roadsides are being sprayed on Warks Road, Lightning Ridge Road, Yellow Rabbit Road, Bullock Paddock Road and in the upper Lees Creek area. The best area to collect blackberries is west of Brindabella Road around Blue Range Road and East West Road. Check current spraying operations or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 for more info.
Road Closures
Well over 100 kilometres of roads and tracks that are no longer required have been closed and rehabilitated. Other roads that are needed for fire and land management, but which are not suitable for recreational vehicle access, have been locked. This has been done to minimise erosion and sediment movement, and reduce the probability of accidental or malicious bushfire ignition. Access behind locked gates is permitted for pedestrians and cyclists only. Refer to the following Map of Roads in the LCC ( PDF 1.2 Mb). Please keep in mind that this map is subject to change without notice.
Uriarra Village
Uriarra Village is under construction. When completed, the village will have around 100 dwellings. Due to the village’s location on the edge of the LCC, special arrangements have been made to manage recreation in the surrounding area and prevent impacts on water quality. Refer to the recreation documents below for further information.
Enlarged Cotter Dam
As land manager for the LCC and Cotter Reserve, Parks, Conservation and Lands (PCL) are closely involved in the planning of the Enlarged Cotter Dam undertaken by the Bulk Water Alliance as part of the ACT Government’s Water Security Major Projects PCL's key concerns are the short and long term impacts and influences on land and catchment management that will result from construction and operation of the new dam, and the impacts on recreation and public access, especially in the Cotter Reserve.
The Casuarina Sands Recreational Area was reopened to the public on 9 January 2010. ACTEW have upgraded the area to provide alternative recreation facilities whilst Cotter Avenue is temporarily closed during construction of the Enlarged Cotter Dam. Improvements were made to parking and facilities, with provision for additional shade, barbecues and picnic tables. For further information call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
Cotter Avenue, the tree-lined picnic area with the children’s’ playground, has been closed since 4 January 2010. The closure is required for public safety during the construction of the Enlarged Cotter Dam. The campground and other picnic areas at the Cotter will remain open. For further information about the Enlarged Cotter Dam project please phone 6248 3563 or email watersecurity@actew.com.au
- Other Areas to visit while Cotter Avenue is closed ( PDF 4.7Mb)
Please note that the Cotter Campground will be closed from Monday 11 October 2010 until further notice due to construction work on the enlarged Cotter Dam.
Recreation in the LCC
Only recreational activities compatible with the protection of water quality are permitted in the LCC as outlined in the LCC Strategic Management Plan. Please refer to:
- Draft LCC Recreational Strategy ( PDF 403Kb)
- Uriarra Recreation Brochure ( PDF 146Kb)
- Uriarra Recreation Map ( PDF 445Kb)
Permitted Recreational Activities
Low impact activities permitted in the LCC include driving and cycling on open public roads, sightseeing, picnicking, birdwatching, walking and cycling. Access behind locked gates is only permitted for pedestrians and cyclists.
Most major roads in the Catchment are suitable for 2WD vehicles in dry conditions. These roads include Warks Road, Yellow Rabbit Road, Sinclair Circuit, Blue Range Road, East-West Road and Bullock Paddock Road. Roads suitable for 4WD include Curries Road, Pabral Road and Old Mine Road. Please avoid driving on unsealed roads in wet conditions to minimise damage to the road surface and sediment movement into watercourses. Access behind locked gates is permitted for pedestrians and cyclists only.
Dogs are permitted only outside the Water Quality Protection Zone (refer to the map at the end of the Recreation Strategy) and only under control. Please ensure all dog waste is removed and not left to contaminate our water supply. Dogs are not permitted at Vanitys Crossing.
Recreational fishing is permitted, in the Cotter River above the junction with Pierces Creek, subject to seasonal restrictions and bag limits. Fishing, boating and swimming in the Cotter Dam are prohibited. The Lower Cotter River provides habitat for two threatened fish including Macquarie Perch and Two-spined Blackfish. Refer to the Fact Sheet below for information about the ecology of fish in the LCC and how we can help protect them.
Fact Sheet: Native Fish in the Lower Cotter Catchment ( PDF 149 Kb)
Prohibited Recreational Activities
Swimming, boating and fishing in the Cotter Dam are prohibited. Car rallies, off-road driving, and off road motorcycling are not permitted in the LCC. Overnight camping is not permitted in the LCC. Camping facilities are located nearby at Blue Range Hut and the Cotter Campground. Horse riding is not permitted in the LCC, although it is permitted in serveral surrounding forestry plantation areas including Sherwood. Dogs are not permitted at Vanitys Crossing.
Get Involved
If you would like to be involved in rehabilitation projects in the LCC, please contact:
Contact Details
Organisation
Parks and City Services (PACS)
Contact Number
13 22 81
Postal Address
GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601
Facsimile Number
(02) 6207 5366 (Head Office)
Email
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