6 December
Goulburn Valley Water’s goal to increase the number of permanent hydration stations located at regional recreation reserves has taken another step forward with the installation of two new drinking fountains in Moira shire towns.
A Be Smart Choose Tap partnership with the northern region shire has seen the townships of Strathmerton and Picola “double down” on their existing Goulburn Valley Water re-fill sites with the installation of the hydration stations at both their recreation reserves.
There are now 13 hydration stations in Moira shire, with Numurkah another town to boast a pair of the popular Goulburn Valley Water Choose Tap accessory, while other towns to have their own hydration station are Cobram, Nathalia, Katamatite, Wunghnu, Barmah, Katunga, and Yarroweyah.
Goulburn Valley Water Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said recreation reserves were often hubs for physical activity in their communities and the availability of water while exercising or competing for their clubs was a necessary element for residents.
“Ensuring our hydration stations are located in areas where they will be most beneficial is an important part of the partnerships we have with local councils. This latest installation does just that, with football, golf, cricket, tennis, netball, lawn bowls, and a variety of other non-mainstream sports based at the recreation reserves.
“It would be great to think that, like the commitment we made several years ago to have hydration stations in every town with a drinking water supply, we could continue to work with shires to have the re-fill sites based at other recreation reserves in the northern region,” Dr Capewell said.
Picola Recreation Reserve is a popular site and home to the football netball club, bowls and tennis clubs. It is also popular with locals and their dogs.
Strathmerton is not only home to the football netball club (including Auskick and Netsetgo), but also the cricket (including mini blasters), and also hosts community and school events. The adjacent golf course also hosts a walking track, popular with locals and their dogs. Moira Shire Council’s Chair Administrator, Dr Graeme Emonson PSM, said the two new hydration stations were a welcome addition to our shire.
“We now have 13 GV Water hydration stations located at local parks and sporting grounds within the shire – it is so great to see them well utilised within our communities. They offer an inexpensive, healthy option of hydrating, and by choosing to refill rather than purchase bottled water, we are not only reducing waste, but also the energy and resources needed to produce single-use items,” said Dr Emonson.
“We look forward to seeing more hydrations stations installed around the shire in years to come.”
Alongside the permanent hydration station program there is also a number of portable water provision units available under the sponsorship program for outdoor community events.
For more information about the Be Smart Choose Tap sponsorship program and details of where to find existing hydration stations visit Choose Tap | Goulburn Valley Water.