Tea Tree Gully City Council in South Australia has claimed a national award for its innovative and visionary long-term approach to saving water.
The City received the Water Conservation Award at the recently announced Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Sustainable Cities Awards.
Mayor Miriam Smith said the national award reflected the Council’s strong strategic focus on sustainability and the dedication and commitment of staff and elected members.
“We’re once again leading the way in local government. This community is now far more drought resistant and less reliant on the River Murray and SA Water supplies, which means reduced long-term costs for our community and the ability to irrigate many of our parks, reserves and recreation grounds regardless of water restrictions,” said Mayor Smith.
Over the past five years, Tea Tree Gully Council has developed the following water-saving initiatives: the construction of eight wetlands and 10 aquifer storage and recovery facilities; a waste water treatment facility to recycle waste and stormwater; the introduction of water efficiency measures at all community buildings; the introduction of the use of rainwater to flush toilets in the Civic Centre; upgraded and modified truck washing facilities for its truck fleet; the gradual introduction of more water-efficient landscaping practices; the encouragement of water sensitive design in new developments; the installation of sub-surface irrigation at many parks and reserves; and the development of an outdoor classroom at Wynn Vale Dam to educate people about water sustainability.
Acting CEO Thornton Harfield said the Council, one of a handful of South Australian councils to take such an innovative long-term approach to solving water issues, was not content to rest on its laurels.
“We’re now working with other Eastern Regional Alliance Councils to further waterproof the southern parts of our City.
“People have long been concerned about seeing stormwater going down the drain and the effects that our harsh summers and drought can have on our local environment,” said Mr Harfield.
The Water Conservation Award follows the Council being named by KESAB as South Australia’s most sustainable city earlier this year, along with a string of other state-based awards.
