National Water Week: ‘It’s time to change the world’
If you didn’t know it already, we’re nearing the end of National Water Week 2019! It happens every October to build awareness of water environments and resources, and to remind ourselves that we need to use water wisely.
2019’s theme is It’s time to change the world, which focuses on encouraging young people (thanks Greta & co.!) to think about how we use water and how we can protect it into the future. It was also adapted from the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
Perth is doing its bit with a vision to become a leading waterwise city by 2030 with the launch of the Waterwise Perth Action Plan today. More than 200 stakeholders provided their knowledge and insight to develop the plan.
The plan sets targets on how we will respond to the major impacts of climate change on our water resources to support the 3.5 million population expected in Perth by 2050. It also includes next steps from saving water to how we better manage water in the city so we have healthy waterways, green spaces and water security beyond 2030. These include:
- Assistance for households to be more waterwise and reduce annual per person use to 110kL;
- Improved water management of sporting ovals and green spaces;
- All government-led urban development projects in Perth and Peel to be 100 per cent waterwise;
- METRONET precincts designed to consider all elements of the water cycle;
- Increased use of recycled water; and
- Increasing the urban tree canopy to reduce the urban heat island effect.
You can take a gander by downloading it from this page HERE.
On a semi-related note New WAter Ways is going to show off some examples of where Perth has started to get it right by creating and retaining tree canopies in urban areas to give us those much desired green spaces in its latest bus tour to be held on Thursday, 14th November (9am – 12.30pm).
Sites to be visited include:
- Forster Park, Cloverdale;
- Montario Quarter, Shenton Park;
- Rosehill Waters, South Guildford; and
- Yagan Square, Perth CBD.
You can register for this fabulous event HERE (only $55 including morning tea, spaces are limited so get your ticket early to reserve your place now!).
National Water Week is being capped off by the WA Water Awards tomorrow night at the Westin! Grab a last minute ticket to this fabulous event celebrating the achievements of the WA’s water industry and community doing their bit to change the world, in our far flung corner of the world. WA WaterAid will also be hosting their famous Wine Wall fundraiser during the evening, with all funds raised going towards long-term overseas projects providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to those who don’t have access.
Tickets are still available from the Australian Water Association HERE. Hope to see you there!
