GATTON STATE SCHOOL MAKES IT A WATERWISE DOUBLE

Water Minister Craig Wallace has congratulated Gatton State School on winning its second consecutive Waterwise award at the Keep Australia Beautiful Green and Healthy Schools State Awards.

The Waterwise award, sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and Water, was presented on the Minister’s behalf by Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk at an awards ceremony at Parliament House in Brisbane today.

“Gatton State School is making a habit of winning this prestigious award and there is no doubt they are worthy recipients,’’ Minister Wallace said.

“Their water saving program is dynamic and covers both internal and external water use. The school has conducted a water audit and has installed water meters to monitor use.

“The school community has also installed automatic timers on the outdoor watering systems, along with installing rainwater tanks, dual flush toilets and water efficient taps and showers. As a result, the school is now saving in excess of 1000 litres of town water every day.’’

Minister Wallace also congratulated the Waterwise award runner-up – Kenmore South State School.

“This school has the capacity to store up to 260,000 litres of rainwater on site for use on outdoor playing surfaces as well as for toilet flushing,’’ he said.

“Today, only one toilet block at the school still requires mains water for flushing with town water.’’

Minister Wallace said saving water in the State’s private and public schools had a two-fold impact on reducing town water use.

“These students take the water saving message home so their parents and guardians learn from the same experiences,’’ he said.

Under its Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative, the Queensland Government has set goals that address current and future challenges for the state.

“An award like this certainly contributes toward two of those goals — smart education and a Green Queensland,” Minister Wallace said.

The Department of Natural Resources and Water manages the Waterwise Schools Program across Queensland.

“There is a raft of projects which schools, and local councils, can utilise. I encourage all school administrators to log on and check out what is on offer,” Minister Wallace said.

Go to www.nrw.qld.gov.au/waterwise

Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office, 3896 3688.