The ACT Greens were joined by Australia on Tap today as they announced a $386,000 plan to increase access to free drinking water around Canberra with new drinking fountains in key public places and providing mobile water stations at events like Floriade and the Multicultural Festival.
“Providing better access to free drinking water will make our city healthier and more liveable, and help reduce waste from plastic bottles,” said Caroline Le Couteur MLA, ACT Greens Spokesperson for Territory and Municipal Services.
“More drinking fountains around Canberra will make it easier to get a free healthy drink when we need it. It will also help reduce the amount of plastic we buy, much of which ends up in landfill.
“The Greens want to see up to 20 new drinking fountains installed in key areas such as town centres, especially where there lots of walkers and cyclists, and at sport and recreation areas.
“The Greens also commit to providing mobile drinking and refill stations for public events, as well as free reusable water bottles.
“Hundreds of thousands of people come to events like the Multicultural Festival and Floriade every year, lines to buy water can be very long, and easy access to water should simply be provided.
“The Greens announcement today is an important step to help us reduce waste, stay refreshed and save money with the healthiest drink there is,” said Ms Le Couteur.
The ACT Greens were joined by Huw Kingston, from Australia On Tap – a new national campaign aiming to increase access to free drinking water to reduce the environmental costs associated with single use plastic bottles.
“There is a real movement to bring back the bubbler and offer more choice for the public to enjoy water’ Mr Kingston said.
“Numerous councils, towns, schools universities and businesses are now investing in drinking fountains. In the past we survived well enough as a nation without single use bottled water and this initiative by the ACT Greens is a great move to offer more drinking water facilities to people in the ACT,” Mr Kingston said.
ACT Greens media release – Australia on Tap – Huw Kingston, 0418 977 609
Loading ...
