Seventeen towns in the City of Greater Shepparton and Campaspe Shire are now home to Goulburn Valley Water Permanent Hydration Stations after a pledge to have every town with a drinking water supply included in the program by June 2023 became a reality.

There are now 28 hydration stations in the region, on the back of five new sites being launched in June this year – giving all 17 Central towns (with drinking water) their own hydration station.

The latest stations, built between September 2022 and June this year, were constructed in Kyabram, Tatura Park, Craigmuir Lakes in Mooroopna, Toolamba Recreation Reserve and at the entrance to the Murchison-Rushworth rail trail.

Goulburn Valley Water Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said keeping the promise of delivering a station to every town with a drinking water supply was an important part of GVW’s 2018-23 Price Plan.

“We know how important having access to water in community spaces is, so we’re investing in adding extra locations to our roll out this year so more towns have the stations sooner,” Dr Capewell said.

Hydration Stations were constructed outside two of Goulburn Valley Water’s most prominent buildings, the Welsford Steet Water Treatment Plant and the Fryers Street headquarters of the corporation, in 2014.

Not long after three stations were built in the Shepparton Sporting Precinct – adjacent to the netball, hockey and soccer facilities.

Kyabram District Health Service’s goal to partner with Goulburn Valley Water and provide the Stanhope community with a health drinking option has now been achieved.

Stanhope Health Client Service Manager Mica Rosenberg said walking groups in the town regularly filled their drink bottles at the station and it was a common stopping point for people walking their dogs.

“It is also a great opportunity to promote the healthy water option with younger members of our community, as the local primary school has a ‘water only’ policy,” she said.

Other sites are Tongala Fitness Hub (at Tongala Primary School in Miller Street), Tatura’s Frank Howley – Lake Bartlett Walking Track, Rushworth Public Reserve Park, Riverside Gardens at Murchison and Judd Park at Merrigum.

You can find a complete list of hydration station locations at: gvwater.vic.gov.au/community/chose-tapContent...