A FEDERAL Government decision to scrap a water grants program has left hills preschools high and dry.
While Len Jeffrey Memorial and Tecoma preschools unveiled water tank systems this month, millions of litres of water will go down the drain because others cannot afford to become water wise.
The Community Water Grants program was cancelled earlier this year “as a result of the Australian Government 2008/09 Budget”, according to the Community Water Grants website.
The government could not tell the Mail why the program was cut and what alternative funding
options were now available.
Belgrave’s Len Jeffrey Memorial Pre-School successfully applied for a $37,000 Community Water Grant last year.
Preschool committee president Nicole Fox said several nearby centres were interested in the program but did not have the chance to apply.
“We’re really just gobsmacked as to why they would stop it,” she said.
The centre unveiled two outside tanks, four under building tanks, time flow taps and dual flush toilets earlier this month.
The children can now keep their new
herb garden green
throughout the long hot summer.
“It will get kids saving water early,” Ms Fox said.
The preschool will save more than 110,000 litres of water each year.
Ms Fox said the centre was on its way to becoming self-sufficient.
“We won’t need to use mains water during the winter at all,” she said.
More than 40 groups in La Trobe successfully applied for the funding.
Tecoma Preschool’s Kirsten Yarra said the Community
Water Grants program axing left the centre stranded.
The centre was ineligible for a Shire of Yarra Ranges community cash grant because it did not benefit the wider community. Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn dipped into her ward fund to finance a 3000 litre tank, pump, plumbing and installation.
“It’s a great educational tool,” she said.
Tecoma Preschool
children last week thanked Cr Dunn for the $2500 tank system, presenting her with a painting of their favourite things in the shire.
Trees that touched the sky, a rainbow, mountains, a possum, a parrot and Tecoma Primary school all featured in the colourful artwork.
