Wednesday, 16 October 2024

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:52): Last week I attended Barngeong Reserve in Croydon, and it was very exciting because it marked the completion of a new recycled water main in Croydon, which will see the community benefit from a 300-metre water main delivering high-quality recycled water to green spaces, including the aforementioned reserve. It is expected to save Maroondah City Council approximately 3 million litres of drinking water each and every year. This is in partnership with the level crossing removal authority, and this new infrastructure was built by Yarra Valley Water to connect the reserve to its recycled water network.

Water plays a vital role in construction, as it is used for dust suppression and irrigation for landscaping. The recycled water pilot provides a way for construction projects to offset drinking water used during works. This initiative will offset 15.5 million litres of drinking water used during the construction of four level crossing removal projects over five years – equivalent to more than six Olympic-size swimming pools. Expanding recycled water infrastructure and diversifying water sources is crucial for securing our water supplies for the future. Most importantly it was great to visit the reserve and to be able to kick the footy around with the kids, who will be able to use and play on this beautifully manicured oval now and into the future.