By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
A DRINK of water at Banjo Paterson Park will soon take just the press of a button for pet owners and their best friends.
Approval for water fountains fitted with dog bowls and a tap to fill up drink bottles was passed through a recent Casey Council meeting – to the delight of petitioner Susanne Arnott.
With more than 80 signatures in favour of a freshen up to the old drinking fountains, Ms Arnott said it wasn’t until she took a jog around Berwick Springs that she noticed the convenience of attached dog bowls.
“It has the water bubbler up top, a tap to fill up your bottle and dog bowl and an ‘axle’ to tip out old water to keep it fresh for your dog,” she explained.
Four months in the making, Ms Arnott is hopeful the two new pet-friendly fountains will be installed by Christmas.
A member of the Lynbrook Residents Association, Ms Arnott’s second petition wasn’t as successful.
“Unfortunately we won’t be getting more rubbish bins with dog bag dispensers along the Banjo Paterson Drive walkway,” she said.
Casey councillor Damien Rosario said the decision is a “balance between what we need, want and can afford.”
“The bins weren’t justifiable and the City of Casey did trial the doggy bag bins but found they got vandalised and the onus is on the pet owner to police their pet’s excrement,” Cr Rosario explained.
The three new drinking fountains – two of which hold dog bowls – will be scattered through the popular park near the barbecue area, cricket oval and play equipment.
