Council sprinkling water smart message at retirement villages

Council is providing hundreds of free water smart products to retirement villages across Townsville in an effort to help them become more water efficient.

The tap timers, sprinklers and other items were part of the Water Smart Package and are now going to their new homes at 10 retirement villages.

Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino said Council has provided more than 900 items to the villages.

“Townsville is a dry tropics city and educating residents to understand what that means in terms of our water supply and consumption is an important piece of work that Council continues to undertake,” Cr Molachino said.

“These water smart items can go a long way to reducing the water consumption needed for a healthy garden and I’m sure the staff and residents of these retirement villages will make good use of them.

“The items include more than 300 tap timers and almost 100 sprinklers as well as plants and fertilizers that will help people maintain their gardens.”

The available items are part of the $10 million Water Smart Package, which is funded by the Queensland Government.

Cr Molachino said the products would be popular in the retirement villages.

“A lot of residents enjoy getting out in the garden and it is a popular hobby for retirees who have more time on their hands,” Cr Molachino said.

“COVID-19 has forced people to cancel holidays, so it is a great time to improve the garden.

“More than 22,000 properties registered for the Water Smart Package and this idea will make sure these unclaimed items can benefit the community for many years to come.”

Eureka Village Condon Manager Sandy Wheldon said residents have welcomed the tap timers.

“Most of them have taps attached to their units so they can look after their own little patch,” Ms Wheldon said.

“We are handing out the tap timers so residents can sprinkle their plants the way they want, I think it will encourage more people to take an interest in the garden.”

Bolton Clark Rowes Bay village resident Julie Storrie said the products are already making a difference.

“Some people don’t have the money to go out to buy things to put their hoses on, so I think this has helped a lot of people and you want to get out and start watering again, Mrs Storrie said.

“People like to see the complex green and with this we know we’re not wasting water. When it’s green, it really appeals to people to stay here or come and live here.”