Sunbury and Macedon Ranges schools and community groups will share garden grants totalling $18,000, thanks to Water Week.
Nine schools and community groups each received $2000 from Western Water to go towards water tanks, water-smart gardens and other environmental water-savvy projects.
Western Water general manager Graham Holt said, overall, 16 grants were handed out as part of the authority’s effort towards Water Week, totalling more than $30,000.
National Water Week, now in its 23rd year, encourages communities to take action to protect waterways and conserve water resources.
“We are really pleased to be supporting these great community projects in the region,” Mr Holt said. “School and community gardens and environmental projects are all important ways we can help support healthy communities.”
Lancefield kinder will put its grant towards a garden watering system, pump and sprinkler timer to connect to its rainwater tank, while Mt Macedon Primary School will build a vertical herb garden using a gro-wall structure.
Among other projects will be an indigenous garden, part of the Riddells Creek Park upgrade, and Romsey Neighbourhood House plans to convert an unused carpark into a community food garden.
Youngsters who entered the national Water Week poster competition for grades three and four students also snapped up prizes. Killara primary school student Mikayla won the regional competition.
