Leader of the Canberra Liberals, Leanne Castley MLA, brought forward a motion calling on the ACT Government to improve water quality in Canberra’s major lakes and waterways, including Lake Burley Griffin, Lake Ginninderra, and Lake Tuggeranong.

The motion also called on the ACT Government to ensure lakes and waterways are clean and safe this summer, to deliver a long-term plan for improved water quality by mid-2026, and to provide real-time public reporting of water quality across major lakes and waterways. 

Thomas moved an amendment calling on the ACT Government to consider calls from the Canberra Wild Swim Club to sign on to the Swimmable Cities Charter, which recognises the right to safe, healthy and swimmable waterways for all people. Thomas’ amendments were agreed to unanimously. 

ACT Greens MLAs Andrew Braddock and Laura Nuttall moved amendments noting issues with water quality at Yerrabi Pond, and seeking to commit the Government to fund the remaining projects from Stage 2 of the Healthy Waterways project. Mr Braddock’s amendment focusing on Yerrabi Pond was supported unopposed. Thomas supported Miss Nuttall’s amendment, as did independent MLA Fiona Carrick, but it was voted down by ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals.

Minister for the Environment, Suzanne Orr MLA, moved her own amendments making phraseological changes to various clauses in the original motion and, having opposed Miss Nuttall’s amendment, committed the Government to ‘identify’ potential Healthy Waterways projects and report back to the Assembly on those projects in mid-2026. Minister Orr’s amendments also noted that Canberra’s lakes were designed to trap pollution. Her amendment was supported unanimously.  

The motion passed with Thomas’ amendment, Mr Braddock’s amendment, and Minister Orr’s amendments.