11 June 2024
Footballers and netballers from Mansfield and Euroa did their bit toward promoting water sustainability in the region when they contested the Greening Euroa Standpipe Cup for the second successive year earlier this month.
Ironically, it was rather wet underfoot for the round nine fixture between the Goulburn Valley League rivals, which is designed to promote an innovative and community driven project that will eventually use recycled water to irrigate public green spaces during the summer months.
Goulburn Valley Water partnered with Strathbogie Shire and the Goulburn Valley League to deliver the first Standpipe Cup last year. Mansfield snatched the unique wooden trophy from inaugural winner Euroa in the football, while the Magpies netball team will have its name added to the trophy for a second time.
GVW Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said events like the Standpipe Cup delivered an important message about recycled water’s role in moving towards a more circular economy in a unique way.
“Recycled water will be important to a number of towns in the future where water sources are highly susceptible to a changing climate and growing populations, including Euroa and Mansfield. The Greening Euroa Project will keep school ovals, sporting fields and parks and gardens green in the dry summer months.
“It is fitting that one of the venues that will benefit from this program plays host to the event,” he said.
Dr Capewell said the benefits of keeping public spaces green went well beyond the aesthetics of maintaining the facilities.
“There is quite a bit of research that demonstrates how green spaces can help decrease stress and enhance overall mental wellbeing – particularly in times of drought,” Dr Capewell said.
As Mansfield celebrated its Standpipe Cup victory, Greening Euroa stakeholders were continuing to work with state and federal governments to secure funding for the project.
The proposal ticks all the boxes of being a climate smart, cost efficient and community inspired project. Both Euroa and Mansfield communities already enjoy access to recycled water to their golf clubs, among five in the region enjoying a GVW partnership that has environmental and financial benefits.