Schools, council win water conservation grants
Thirty-two schools and community groups in the Page electorate have won $1.4 million in Coalition Government grants for initiatives which will save more than 67 million liters of water per year, Page Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis has announced.
Mr Gulaptis said the biggest water saving initiative will be undertaken by Ballina Shire Council which has won $50,000 towards a project to save 20 million litres of water a year by reusing treated blackwater to irrigate Fripp Oval, home of the Ballina Bears Cricket Club.
“Half of the projects are for local schools and pre-schools ranging from a $10,000 grant for rainwater tanks at Leeville Public School to $138,000 for Evans River Community School for an effluent reclaiming scheme which will save nearly 3 million litres of water per year.”
Mr Gulaptis said he supported the Government’s clear focus on practical measures for the environment and these grants allowed North Coast locals to play their part.
The Nationals’ hopeful has a history of supporting clean energy solutions, having been an investor and spokesman for the locally-developed Aquanator – a device that generates renewable power from water currents.
“I am committed to practical pro-environment initiatives and technology, because we need to protect our natural assets to secure the future of the North Coast. Whether it is climate change or water management, people want action, not hot air from politicians,” Mr Gulaptis said.
Other grants for the Ballina Shire area:
North Coast Institute of TAFE will save water by installing rainwater tanks, the rainwater will be used to flush toilets, irrigating grounds, use in the aquaculture pond and vehicle washing. This project will save 180,000 litres of water per year: $19,350.
Wollongbar Community Pre-school will save water by installing flow control valves to all taps, replacing inefficient toilets with dual flush and installing a rainwater tank to capture water from the roof. The harvested water will be used for toilet flushing. This project will save 40,000 litres of water per year: $19,692.
Ballina High School will save water by capturing rainwater from the school’s roof. The water will be stored in tanks and connected for irrigation and flushing purposes. Water will also be recycled through an aquaponics system This project will save 400,000 litres of water per year: $42,894.
Ballina Public School will save water by capturing rainwater from the school’s roof. The water will be stored in rainwater tanks and connected to the school’s irrigation system. This project will save 1,545,347 litres of water per year: $49,800.
Rous Public School will save water by installing rainwater tanks and sensors. Harvested rainwater will be used to supplement supply in periods of dry weather. This project will save 293,000 litres of water per year: $16,310.
Alstonville Public School will save water by installing dual flush toilets, water saving taps andwaterless urinals. They will also fix all leaks that may be present. This project will save 191,850 litres of water per year: $49,570.
Alstonville High School will save water by harvesting rainwater to irrigate gardens and grassed playing surfaces and replace inefficent toilets, taps and urinals to provide further water savings. This project will save 41,202,000 litres of water per year: $49,681.
