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Garden lovers get water wised-up

Westernport Water Managing Director David Mawer will host a visit of regional garden lovers to the corporation’s waterwise garden at Newhaven next Saturday, September 8.

By Susan Webster - 5th September 2007 - Back to News

He will introduce the busload of visitors to the wetlands on the corner of Boys Home Road.

Centrepiece of the garden is a storm water resettling pond that also plays an important role as a wildlife habitat.

Mr Mawer said: "Currently, we are hosting a family of masked lapwing chicks, The reed bed is also refuge for a number of water birds."

He explained that water from the corporation’s eco-friendly headquarters is harvested off the roof for reuse within the building.

"Also, water from the car parks and hard-standing areas is collected and stored," he said. "The overflow is directed into the wetlands, which acts as a settling pond, before release into the general stormwater system."

The area is planted with native trees, shrubs and rushes and Mr Mawer said the water corporation had plans for more extensive plantings at the site.

Saturday’s tour is part of the Phillip Island Urban Landcare ‘Practically Sustainable’ seminar series that is supported by Westernport Water.

The tour will be led by garden expert, garden designer and writer Kevin Walsh, who also features on regional radio gardening talk back. Three other gardens are included in the afternoon tour, including one at Seagrove in Cowes, the Cowes Eco-Resort and the garden of Colin Vanderstaay at Surf Beach.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au

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