Council has partnered with Central Highlands Water to install a new water fountain at the Smythesdale Historic Precinct, allowing community members and visitors access to free drinking water.
The fountain was officially opened on Friday 26 August by Golden Plains Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Helena Kirby and Central Highlands Water Managing Director Jeff Haydon, who were joined by members of the Woady Yaloak Historical Society and the Smythesdale Progress Association, as well as students from Woady Yaloak Primary School and community members.
The new fountain was donated by Central Highlands Water as part of their Choose Tap initiative to encourage community members to drink tap water. The fountain also aims to help users of these spaces make sustainable choices by making it easier to refill their reusable drink bottles – reducing single-use plastics.
Billy-Jay O’Toole, a proud Wadawurrung Traditional Owner designed the artwork featured on the Choose Tap fountain.
The installation of the fountain at the Smythesdale Historic Precinct follows the site being connected to water as part of the Outdoor Activation Program, funded by the Victorian Government.
The users of this local facility, and the broader community, have been advocating for this important infrastructure for some time and with funding from the state government, Council was able to connect the site to water to make the installation of the fountain possible.
Previously, The Well was the closest place to access water and users of the site were required to visit The Well to access water or if events were taking place, rely on single-use plastic bottles.