Water wise town sets benchmark for region

Collie is setting the benchmark for adopting water conservation measures and councils are being urged to follow suit as the region suffers from a dire lack of rainfall.

Water conservation measures have been formulated for 13 Collie parks which will result in up to 15,000 kilolitres less of water being used.

Replacing vegetation with waterwise plants and grouping plants together are simple measures planned for the parks which will reduce the council’s water consumption.

Tidy Towns committee member Nola Green said councils would be forced to consider better water conservation measures due to the region’s declining rainfall.

"There are smart ways to do things and we need to do it smart — it’s really just planning better," she said.

There has been only 419 mm of rain in 2010, well below the 10-month average of 803.8mm, according to Bureau of Meteorology climate information officer John Relf.

Only 29.6mm of rain has fallen this spring, drastically short of the average 130.6mm.

There has been a mere 2.6mm of rain in October.

Collie was commended for water conservation measures and a raft of environmental projects in the recent Tidy Town Awards.

The implementation of a new waste management plan and a revamp of the waste disposal site are expected to dramatically increase recycling in the town and reduce landfill contributions.

The introduction of recycling bins in the shire two years ago has already reduced landfill by 84 tonnes a year.

Blanketing pools to avoid evaporation and mulching garden beds are proactive measures being taken by the Collie Shire Council to further reduce water consumption.

And the council has received a grant which will allow for the distribution of fridge magnets which inform residents of further recycling options.