WATERWATCHERS BENEFIT FROM FUNDING BOOST
10 November, 2005
Two local schools and a community group with a keen interest in river health will share in a new water quality monitoring kit presented by Rosy Buchanan MP, Member for Hastings, today.
Watsons Creek Waterwatch Group, Somerville Rise Primary and the soon to be completed Mount Erin College, Somerville Campus are among the 300 Melbourne Waterwatch groups that will benefit from a doubling in funding by Melbourne Water this year.
Presenting the brand new Melbourne Water-funded kit to the groups, Rosy Buchanan MP said that Melbourne Water is investing $200,000 this year in the popular Melbourne Waterwatch program.
"This funding boost will deliver $25,000 for the Waterwatch program in the Westernport catchment over the next year - up from $6,000 last year.
"The funding is part of the Bracks' Government's commitment to improving the health of our rivers and creeks," Ms Buchanan said.
The program is supported locally by the Department of Primary Industries and the Mornington Peninsula Shire.
Ms Buchanan said the involvement of local schools and community groups in water quality monitoring was invaluable. She congratulated all Melbourne Waterwatchers and encouraged more people to get involved in helping to protect the health of local rivers and creeks, which are an important habitat for native animals such as fish, platypus and frogs.
"Our rivers and creeks are a great community asset and we all have a role to play in protecting them," Ms Buchanan said.
Melbourne Waterwatch Officer Amy Paraman said the program was a fantastic way for people of all ages to learn about their local rivers and creeks and monitor the impact our daily activities can have on their health.
"People often don't realise that most of the pollution in our rivers, creek and bays is caused by everyday activities. These monitoring activities collect some really useful data, and can even help to identify local pollution sources. They can also be a real eye-opener for people and give them a real sense of ownership of their local catchment," Ms Paraman said.
Melbourne Waterwatch is a free river health education program for schools and local community groups. Via a range of engaging hands-on activities including water quality testing, biological surveys, habitat assessments, and litter surveys, students and members of local community groups learn about important river health issues and help to monitor the health of local rivers, creeks and wetlands.
Melbourne Waterwatch is a part of the Waterwatch Australia Network. This free program is funded by Melbourne Water and the Natural Heritage Trust/Living Cities Programs and 26 local councils.
For more information on Melbourne Waterwatch visit melbournewater.com.au/education, or contact Amy Paraman on 0417 538 751 or Melbourne Water on 131 722