Leading the project was Gippsland Water Managing Director Sarah Cumming and Knob Reserve Committee of Management Committee Chair Cath Thomas. Photo: Gippsland Water.
Stratford locals are now able to stay hydrated on their walks through Knob Reserve, thanks to the installation of new drinking fountains and a water main. Victoria’s Minister for Water Harriet Shing unveiled the project last Friday (19 January), which was made possible through a partnership between Gippsland Water and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC).
“The Knob Reserve is a culturally significant location for the Gunaikurnai people, and the addition of water fountains means it can be used more often as a meeting place, to share knowledge and hold events,” said Ms Shing.
The $230,000 effort was made possible through a $70,000 grant from the State Government’s Integrated Water Management (IWM) program and a $160,000 investment from the partnership stakeholders, who ensured the culturally significant areas of the reserve were not impacted by the construction process throughout the project.
A dozen of the IWM projects have been led by traditional owners, with the grants stream designed to support traditional owners care for waterways and cultural landscapes, while also building on the sharing of traditional ecological knowledge.
Knob Reserve Committee Chair Cath Thomas said that as traditional owners, they had a responsibility to manage the impacts on the “significant” landscape in a way that protected their cultural values and “heals country”.
On top of the installation of a water main connecting Knob Reserve to Statford’s water network, the four new drinking fountains feature artworks celebrating the culture of Gunaikurnai people.
Local artist Robbie Farnham designed the two pieces, ‘Big Dreaming‘ and ‘Tidilick‘, in honour of the traditional owners’ intrinsic connection to water.
Gipplsand Water Managing Director Sarah Cumming said they were proud to see initiatives like this come to life after years of planning and close collaboration with GLaWAC.
“Having clean, fresh drinking water flowing to this very special site means visitors can now stay hydrated, save money and reduce their environmental impact all at the same time,” she said.
