By BRIDGET SCOTT
CASEY Grammar students will learn how to make the best use of water with a new sustainable garden centre at the school.
Water Minister Peter Walsh and Liberal candidate for Cranbourne Geoff Ablett went to the school on Monday to announce the Napthine Government would invest $84,000 for a water project at Casey Grammar. Students and staff at the school will learn about using the right water for the job and will develop a gardening learning centre.
Mr Walsh said the funding will help Casey Grammar develop its Urban Food Farm project.
“Casey Grammar’s project is exciting and engaging for students. It includes an interactive, whole-of-water-cycle learning centre that will demonstrate stormwater harvesting, water-efficient wicking garden beds and vertical garden systems,” Mr Walsh said.
“Rainwater will be collected from the Casey Grammar gymnasium roof and stored in 50,000 litre water tanks, which will be connected to the new gardens.
Head of operations at the school Simon Beaumont said it will help create sustainable gardening and water harvesting projects for school students.
“It’s very environmentally friendly,” he said.
Mr Beaumont said the idea came from staff and students who would be “over the moon”.
Mr Ablett also welcomed the grant and said it was a great way to manage and use all available sources of water sustainably.
“Our water policies focus on making best use of all water sources, and that includes stormwater, rainwater and recycled water for non-drinking use like watering gardens, washing cars and flushing toilets,” Mr Ablett said.“Our commitment is to drive generational change in the way water is valued and used, and that starts right here with excellent projects like Casey Grammar’s Urban Food Farm.”
