Bayside Council has started to remove the build-up of duckweed in the ponds at Sir Joseph Banks Park.
“Council is continually working to improve the water quality of the ponds while retaining natural habitat for native wildlife and plants,” Mayor Dr Christina Curry said.
“Last year Council installed aerators to improve water circulation and also thinned the many smaller Casuarinas and Melaleucas that have sprouted around the pond over the last 40 years to reduce leaf droppings in the water.”
Duckweed is a natural forming, floating aquatic plant commonly found in ponds and lakes, and also added to aquariums.
It is a nutritious and protein packed food source for fish and waterfowls
However, duckweed overgrowth can deprive fish and other plants of light and nutrients.
Bayside Council undertakes regular duckweed removal as needed, predominately in warmer climatic conditions.
Duckweed is one of the fastest growing plants and under optimal conditions can double in size in less than 4 days.
The recent unprecedented rainfall has seen additional nutrients enter the ponds through overland flow and stormwater runoff
The removal of duckweed is a manual process and will take approximately 2-3 weeks.
Once completed the team will move to Scarborough Ponds in Barton Street to start a similar process.
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