Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to highlight the work of water groups, schools and other organisations in saving water within the electorate of Flinders. In particular, I want to do this through examining the steps taken under the recently announced community water grants. All up, 13 projects were significant recipients of community water grants within the electorate of Flinders in the list announced only this week, and nine of those projects are in primary and secondary schools. It will lead to a total saving of nine million litres of water per annum, which is our area doing its part to save water for Victoria and for Australia as a whole, and it comes about through a total federal contribution of just over $800,000. So, firstly, the principle here is very clear: that it is individual schools, bowling clubs and community groups all working together to do their bit during a period of drought in Victoria to save water. Secondly, they are doing this in a way which is going to help educate and lead to savings in the home by individuals who are involved with this because they are more conscious and aware of the water savings. Thirdly, they are doing this with the assistance of the Commonwealth. All of that is an extremely important base for these savings.

I want to identify the particular groups and recognise the work they are doing. As I mentioned, there are nine schools that have been successful. Penbank Primary School in Moorooduc will be saving 204,000 litres a year through harvesting rainwater and applying that to their bathrooms. The Woodleigh School in Baxter will be saving 177,000 litres a year by installing constant flow control valves, timed bubblers, dual flush toilets and waterless urinals. Somerville Primary School will be saving 433,000 litres a year through a combination of upgrading and installing dual flush toilets and flow devices and also collecting and harvesting water. A similar practice at Red Hill Consolidated Primary will save 150,000 litres a year. The Somers School Camp will save 2,100,000 litres per year, and I think that that is extremely important.

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