Yarra Valley Water has won a gold International Water Association Project Innovation Award at the World Water Conference in Toronto, Canada.
The award was for the action taken by Yarra Valley Water to reimagine how it uses buffer land at its Aurora Recycled Water Treatment Plant which is now being transformed into the Wollert Community Farm.
Yarra Valley Water senior engineer of place based planning and resilience Natalie Hackett said the Project Innovation Awards recognise the benefits the farm can bring.
“The farm will grow food, use recycled water and demonstrate circular economy systems for the local community. It will provide volunteering, training and employment opportunities and enable First Nations-led land management of endangered grasslands as part of a caring for country approach,” she said.
“The Wollert Community Farm will be a place for people to connect, learn and prosper through environmental and agricultural activities. It will consist of an environmental education hub and local food system that utilises recycled water, to restore nature and ensure local people can live and eat well.“
Whittlesea Community Connections will help deliver the Wollert Community Farm and was recognised for its contributions.
“In partnership with Whittlesea Community Connections, we’re already achieved significant outcomes. This includes planting 4,000 seedlings, rehabilitating Curly Sedge Creek, establishing an interim nursery and collecting native grass and wildflower seeds,” Ms Hackett said.
“At all of our treatment plant site we have abundant land, so there’s a great opportunity for Yarra Valley Water to step in and act as leaders supporting environment outcomes for the community.“
Whittlesea Community Connections CEO Alex Haynes said “This is such an exciting partnership for a place-based community organisation like Whittlesea Community Connections. Through the Wollert Community Farm, Whittlesea Community Connections and Yarra Valley Water are leveraging our individual strengths and resources to create and amplify outcomes for our growing communities and environment.”
