As the debate over to what extent the nation should react to climate change continues among political circles, an increasing number of businesses, industries and local governments are already making adjustments with global warming in mind.
One of those is the Strathbogie Shire Council, which is hoping people power will help convince state and federal governments to back its Greening Euroa Project.
The project plans to irrigate public spaces with recycled water in a way the council describes as “the first of its kind in Victoria”.
The council said the Greening Euroa Project would ensure the town’s school ovals, sporting fields and parks and gardens remained green through the drier months using “climate smart” and “cost efficient” means.
Mayor Laura Binks said the region was already feeling the impacts of climate change, and some community members realised that during dry times, it made more sense to draw on the water available in nearby treatment dams than potable water supplied to the town.
She said the project would help maintain open spaces for the wellbeing of the community.
“It is a very community-inspired project coming out of the last drought,” Cr Binks said.
“It’s autumn when those drought conditions really kick in. We are having drier and drier autumns. Our autumn breaks are coming later and later.
“We’re not on the greener side of the Great Dividing Range, the south side of the ranges — it gets quite dry on this side.”
With support from Goulburn Valley Water, the plan would use recycled water from the Euroa Wastewater Treatment Plant, upgrading it to class B quality, before pumping it underground to storage tanks throughout the town.
Under Environment Protection Authority regulations for class B water, there must be a withholding period of four hours before access is allowed on to the watered surface.
The Greening Euroa committee has spent the past three years developing the plan, but needs $3.8 million in funding from state and federal government grants, or the equivalent in a co-contribution agreement, to make it a reality.
If successful, the council would then consider using the method for other towns with water treatment facilities in the shire, such as Violet Town, Avenel and Nagambie.
“Once Euroa’s project is rolled out and functioning we’d be interested in recycling water in these townships in the future to green them all,” Cr Binks said.
Believing the project is the way of the future, the committee has launched a social media campaign to add weight to its argument the plan is a win for the community and the environment.
“We’re trying to get community support to help get funding to build the infrastructure,” Cr Binks said.
“We want a bit of excitement and buzz around it. To have it front and centre of our state and federal politicians when they’re making their decisions.”
More can be learnt about the Greening Euroa Project by going to https://www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/environment/greening-euroa/