The new water fountains in the main pond at Sir Joseph Banks park do more than just add to the visual amenity of the area - they act as aerators, restoring oxygen and improving water circulation.
Bayside Council is continually working to improve the water quality of the main pond in Sir Joseph Banks Park while retaining natural habitat for native wildlife and plants.
High levels of nutrients in the pond reduce oxygen levels and can lead to algal blooms that affect the fauna living in and around the ponds.
The new aerators have improved water circulation in the main pond and Council has also stopped leakage from an adjacent toilet block.
Council will now start work addressing other factors affecting the quality of the pond water including bird and leaf droppings.
To reduce leaf drop Council will thin many of the smaller Casuarinas and Melaleucas that have sprouted around the pond over the last 40 years and remove weedy tree species.
Any tree removal will be done in a way that ensures habitat for water birds as well as aquatic and amphibious fauna is retained.
The project is expected to be completed by July 2021 after which Council will begin remediating the banks and planting native species.
