KINGSTON and Frankston councils have linked up to advocate for the establishment of more recycled water initiatives.
In a joint press release, the two councils said that new ways of sourcing water for food producers and parklands must be found because “valuable drinking water supplies are becoming increasingly scarce.”
Kingston mayor Steve Staikos said “more efficient water use and alternative water sources are needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the local food production industry, not only in Kingston but also in the entire South East region.”
“Here in Kingston, we have been working to progress two water recycling pipeline proposals – the Dingley, Sandringham and Cheltenham Recycled Water Scheme that would deliver recycled water to some of the state’s most high-profile golf courses, sporting fields and green wedge open spaces; and the Patterson River Recycled Water Scheme, a smaller but no less critical project for our community,” he said. “Water recycling represents a key opportunity for Kingston and Frankston to work together to advocate for state and federal support for critical water recycling projects that will safeguard our valuable drinking water supplies for future generations.
“Both the City of Kingston and Frankston City are working on innovative water recycling projects with South East Water that would provide cost-effective and sustainable solutions to our water issues, but we need state and federal government support to make these proposals a reality.”
Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said that a little more than half of the water used by Frankston Council in the last year was recycled, around 163 million litres. “Council’s target to increase the use of alternative, sustainable water sources to 60 per cent by 2026 relies on the Victorian Government investing in recycled water infrastructure,” he said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 27 October 2021
