Elderly Victorians helped with water
The Victorian Government has announced $520,000 in funding to help older Victorians adopt water-saving initiatives in drought affected areas which include grey-water diverters, three-star showerheads, and general drought-related home maintenance.
Community Services Minister, Gavin Jennings, said the funding would help approximately 1,200 households and that “these projects will save precious water, prevent injuries from carrying water among frail older people and provide the comfort of a water-smart garden”.
The Minister said that elderly households could apply for funding with $5,000 allocated for smaller councils and $50,000 allocated for larger ones. “Councils will identify households most in need and be responsible for buying and installing water-saving devices, showing people how to use them and for ongoing maintenance.”
Referring to reports of frail older people injuring themselves carrying waste water into their gardens, Mr Jennings said diverters would lessen the rate of injuries caused by lifting and carrying full buckets.
“The funding for general drought-related home maintenance could involve spreading of mulch in garden beds, clearing and repairing gutters in tank water-reliant areas, and general yard and gutter clearing to reduce fire risks,” he said
