Encouraging Local Suppliers To Capture Opportunities And Work With Council
Tuesday 28 March, 2006
Water-wise Hastings projects will help region save
14 million litres of water a year
Water-wise projects across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region have been given a slice of the Federal Government's $62 million Community Water Grants package.
Seven major Hastings projects attracted more than $172,000 in round one of the program which encourages local communities to undertake water saving initiatives and strive to improve the health of local waterways.
The installation of flow restrictors on school taps to riverbank erosion control will all help the Hastings save almost 14 million litres of water every year.
Successful local projects are:
TAFE - North Coast Institute: $43,318.18 for the installation of water flow restrictors. This project will improve water efficiency at 15 TAFE campuses on the NSW North Coast by installing a range of water saving devices in campus washrooms. These devices include flow restrictors on taps and showers. These changes will save 6,547,500 litres of water each year.
TAFE - North Coast Institute: $12,748.18 for the installation of toilet flush minimisers. This project will improve water efficiency at 15 TAFE campuses, servicing an estimated 43,000 users in the North Coast Region by installing toilet flush minimisers. These changes will save 4,300,000 litres of water each year.
Port Macquarie Adventist School: $15,363.64 for stage two or the rainwater harvest project. This project will involve the installation of rainwater tanks to store rainwater collected from the roof of the Port Macquarie Adventist School. The collected water will be used for toilet flushing and garden irrigation. The project will supplement water saving works previously undertaken at the site and save 500,000 litres of water each year.
Hastings Council: $2,500 for saltwater conversion for use on fish cleaning tables. This project will save water at Westport Park, Port Macquarie, by converting the water supply for the area's fish cleaning tables, to a salt water supply. This will include the installation of a screened intake from under the existing pontoon structure. The intake will allow for an appropriate pump to be installed to provide mains pressure salt water to the fish cleaning tables, instead of the current potable water supply. These changes will save 450,000 litres of water each year.
Wauchope High School: $43,883.64 for school toilet retrofit and rainwater harvesting project. This project will improve water efficiency at Wauchope High School by implementing a range of water saving initiatives. These include installation of dual flush toilet cisterns and in-tap flow control devices. In addition to this, a tank will be installed to collect rainwater to flush toilets. These changes will save 1,400,000 litres of water each year.
Wauchope Public School: $45,454.55 for rainwater operated water efficient toilet block. This project will improve water efficiency at Wauchope Public School by implementing a range of water saving initiatives. These include installation of dual flush toilets, auto flush urinals and spring-loaded taps. In addition to this, a tank will be installed to collect rainwater to supply the toilet block. These changes will save 500,000 litres of water each year.
National Park Association of NSW: $8,742.73 for Trevor's Corner erosion control at Dunbogan. This project will stabilise eroding sand banks and arrest the surface water causing siltation at Trevors Corner, Dunbogan. Revegetation of the bank and surface will be done with native species, and denuded areas mulched. An existing rock wall will also be extended. A total of 0.8 hectares will be revegetated.
The Community Water Grants process has been highly competitive with close to 5,000 applications from across Australia.
Successful applicants were announced by Australian Government Ministers for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell and Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz.
"Thousands of Australians are set to save around 18 billion litres of water a year - the equivalent of 18,000 Olympic swimming pools," Senator Campbell said. "This shows how vital Australian communities are to achieving a sustainable and water-wise future - everybody can play a part."
As well as saving water, Community Water Grant projects promote wise water use and community engagement and awareness about water efficiency and conservation, water re-use and recycling and water health.
Hastings applicants whose projects missed out in round one are advised that round two submissions will be called for in June.
For more information phone Freecall Community Water Grants on 1800 780 730
