$2.5m boost to the City of Unley’s water security

The City of Unley will save up to 98 million litres of drinkable water per year and have a more secure, safe and sustainable water supply for the local community, thanks to an Australian Government funded stormwater-harvesting project launched today.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, and the Hon Kate Ellis MP, the Federal Member for Adelaide, today launched The City of Unley Stormwater Projects.

Speaking at the launch, Rishworth said the Australian Government was proud to collaborate with local governments to deliver adaptable, state-of-the-art infrastructure to local communities to help deliver water security.

“The Australian Government has contributed more than $2.5 million towards The City of Unley Stormwater Projects, which involves the installation of stormwater harvesting and re-use infrastructure at locations across the City of Unley, which will save up to 98 million litres per year of potable water,” Rishworth said.

“The stormwater harvested from this project will be used to water parks and reserves within the City of Unley and, in turn, benefit the wider community by reducing the demand on Adelaide’s precious drinking water.

“This project will also reduce the potential for flooding within the area, and also decrease the amount of urban run-off that enters local creeks, by redirecting and storing stormwater for later use.

“The Australian Government is proud to collaborate with the City of Unley on such a worthwhile project, and we are pleased to know it will benefit the local community now and well into the future,” Rishworth said.

Ellis said the project is an excellent initiative benefiting the people of the City of Unley and helping secure their water supply for the future.

“Not only will the project save millions of litres of drinking water, it will also return Council’s open space to pre-drought conditions (2005-06) and improve conditions in local parks and reserves for the community,” Ellis said.

“By saving potable water, the project puts into practice good water resource management that uses water wisely, secures water supplies, supports healthy rivers and takes action on climate change.”

The City of Unley Stormwater Projects is funded through the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative under the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan.

“This plan is contributing to improving the security of water supplies in Australia’s larger cities by supporting infrastructure projects and research in desalination, water recycling and stormwater harvesting and re-use,” Rishworth said.