Indigo Shire creating a water wise community

Indigo Shire Council has successfully created water wise public amenities through funding from the Community Water Grants.  This project allowed for the Indigo Shire is currently in the process of replacing 44 old style, single flush cisterns with dual flush cisterns, housed within 12 of Indigo Shire’s public amenity blocks. Further water savings have been achieved with the replacement of 27 existing taps to self closing taps in the hand basins of the amenity blocks.

Indigo Shire’s Natural Resource Manager, Shay Simpson said, the project is necessary to achieve observable water saving results in Indigo’s public amenity blocks. Current water use for the nominated amenity blocks within Indigo Shire is estimated to be 7,229KL per year. Installation of dual flush cisterns and self closing taps will reduce this water use, providing a water saving cost of over 1,287KL per year.

She said the amount of water used in public amenities is often overlooked. Installing water efficient devices in public areas is very cost effective due to the number of patrons and the corresponding high ratio of usage to fixtures.

Australia’s rainfall is the lowest of the continents (excluding Antarctica) but has one of the highest per capita water consumption rates in the world. And because we have so much sunshine water evaporates quickly which leads to low river flows. Only 3% of water in the world is fresh and less than 1% of this fresh water is available for human use. The rest is frozen in glaciers, polar ice-caps, or is found deep within the earth.

Throughout the year we all use a lot of water inside our homes and in our gardens. But if everyone reduced their usage, even by a small amount, consider how much water would be saved!

Sometimes it is simply a matter of installing a water efficient appliance or plumbing fitting, which automatically saves water whenever they are used. In addition, we can save water by changing our habits, like taking shorter showers. Water conservation in the home is an important way to protect our precious resource.

Regional Stormwater Education Officer, Emma Russell  said, using less water doesn’t always mean doing without. Because Australians use a lot of water we can easily cut back without changing our lifestyle. Simply by changing our water habits and by installing water-saving devices we can all help improve our environment.

Isaac Park Gully Rehabilitation, Yackandandah 2007

A lot of major changes have occurred in the gully of Isaac’s Park in Yackandandah over the past 12 months.  These changes began with the mechanical removal of willows from the gully, the subsequent mulching of this material, as well as the installation of two rock structures.  This work was followed by the hydro-seeding of steep sections of the bank and the planting of reeds and rushes within the gully floor, which was undertaken by the Yackandandah Green Corps team.  Over 9000 native wetland plants were planted in the gully, which established prior to winter rains.  Further plantings of indigenous trees and shrubs also occurred in the reserve. 

These works have occurred in accordance to the management strategy that underwent public comment and was formally adopted by Council.  Although the plan is a longer term strategy, Council has initiated works with funding from the Australian “Community Water Grants”, with the project aimed at improving water quality.  It is envisaged that this area will be able to now better filter the stormwater draining into the area, as well as reduce the spread of noxious weeds that once were extensively prevalent in this area.  Council would like to thank the community and in particular the Yackandandah Bowls Club for their assistance and patience throughout this project. For any queries regarding these works, or a copy of the management plan or map, please contact Indigo Shire Council’s Natural Resource Management Officer Shay Simpson at the Yackandandah office on (02) 6028 1112.

This project has been initiated with funding from the ‘Community Water Grants, which is part of the $2 billion Australian Government Water Fund. Water savings, recycling and treatment projects that demonstrate community involvement and a clear public benefit are eligible for funding up to $50,000.  For more information about Community Water Grants visit www.australia.gov.au/communitywatergrants or phone 1800 780 730.

Indigo Shire Buys Green

As a long-term signatory to the Eco-buy Program, Indigo Shire has committed to increasing the use of green products in operations and services. Staff are always on the lookout for price comparative alternatives to conventional products, and to date have made significant change-overs.  The latest examples can be seen around the townships and include the purchase of recycled plastic bollards for Lions Park, Rutherglen, and the use of recycled plastic edging for the path in Martins Park, Chiltern.