BLIGH GOVERNMENT WATERWISE GRANT MAKES A DIFFERENCE AT NANANGO

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace has congratulated two groups at Nanango for saving hundreds of thousands of litres of town water annually with the help of a grant from the Bligh Government.

The Nanango Agricultural, Pastoral and Mining Society, which is responsible for the local showgrounds, is saving 477,500 litres of town water a year thanks to a $30,000 grant.

Meanwhile Nanango State School is saving 283,000 litres annually, thanks to the efforts of the school’s Parents’ and Citizens’ Association in securing a $29,989 grant.

“Both the show society and the school at Nanango have shown how saving water can be part of a group’s everyday activities,” Mr Wallace said.

The Nanango Agricultural, Pastoral and Mining Society used the money to install two 125,000 litre rainwater tanks while Nanango State School used the grant to install four 8600 litre rainwater tanks. Both groups connected their tanks to their irrigation system.

“The upgraded irrigation systems at both the showgrounds and the school draw from the rainwater tanks, which substantially reduces their use of town water. This is a great way of saving water,” Mr Wallace said.

Mr Wallace said the Nanango society will next week receive a cheque for $8250, while the school will receive a cheque for $7500. The cheques are the final instalments of their total grant monies.

The groups are two of almost 600 not-for-profit organisations to receive funding under the Bligh Government’s Lifestyle Waterwise grants program.

The $10 million Lifestyle Waterwise grants program assists sporting clubs, churches and parents’ and citizens’ groups to implement water-saving measures.

Successful projects include improving watering systems, replacing existing water amenities including toilet cisterns, providing alternative water sources such as rainwater tanks, and installing swimming pool covers and rollers.

Mr Wallace said: “The Bligh Government is committed to protecting our environment through responsible and sustainable use of our most precious resources.

“By working with local organisations like the Nanango Agricultural, Pastoral and Mining Society and the Nanango State School to conserve water, we can help secure a greener future for our state, as we move Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland.

“Our Lifestyle Waterwise program enables community groups, sporting clubs and churches to play their part in helping to keep our parks and playgrounds alive during drought.

“We recognise the great services these groups provide their local communities and we are very pleased to be supporting them in their efforts to implement responsible water use initiatives.”

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