Two popular parks and a recreation reserve have become the latest community sites to benefit from the continuing expansion of Goulburn Valley Water's Be Smart Choose Tap permanent hydration station program.
Goulburn Valley Water has partnered with Mitchell, Murrindindi, and Mansfield shires to provide Seymour Lions Park, Leckie Park in Vickery Street at Alexandra, and Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve with permanent hydration stations.
As part of the 2018-23 Price Plan, Goulburn Valley Water made a commitment to provide every one of its towns with a drinking water supply with its own hydration station. Six years on and there are now 72 hydration stations located in Goulburn Valley Water towns.
Goulburn Valley Water Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said public parks and recreation reserves were often hubs for physical activity in their communities and the availability of water while exercising or competing for their clubs was a necessary element for residents.
"Ensuring our hydration stations are located in areas where they will be most beneficial is an important part of the partnerships we have with local councils.
"This latest round of installations does just that, with not only football, cricket, tennis, netball, lawn bowls, and other sportspeople beneficiaries, but also people just out for a walk or to exercise their dog.
"It would be great to think that, like the commitment we made several years ago to have hydration stations in every town with a drinking water supply, we could continue to work with shires to have the re-fill sites based at other parks and recreation reserves in the southern region," Dr Capewell said.
At Alexandra, the new station is located along the U.T. Creek Pathway that connects the Great Victorian Rail Trail, Leckie Park and the upgraded play equipment, skate park and pump track at Rotary Park.
It will enable people of all ages to maintain hydration as we enter the warmer weather.
Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Damien Gallagher said the shire was excited to see the installation of a new hydration station on the U.T. Creek Pathway in Alexandra.
"This station will provide free access to drinking water for our community, promoting health and well-being, and importantly encouraging people to use reusable water bottles, therefore reducing waste.
"This initiative highlights the strong partnership between Goulburn Valley Water and Murrindindi Shire Council, ensuring our public spaces are equipped to support active lifestyles. We look forward to continuing this collaboration to benefit all residents and visitors in the region," he said.
Alongside the permanent hydration station program there are also a number of portable water provision units available under the sponsorship program for outdoor community events.
