In early 2023, Climate Action Merri-bek made a submission to Council’s Community Budget Ideas. We proposed that Council install drinking fountains in shopping strips across the whole municipality. Our submission was successful. However, we didn’t get the full amount that we hoped for. Council officers have now made a decision on the locations.

There will be only TWO new drinking fountains, and both will be in the south of Merri-bek. The work is scheduled to roll out in the next 6 to 8 weeks. The locations are:

• Lygon Street East Brunswick Shopping Precinct , south of Glenlyon Road
• Grantham Street Union Square Shopping Centre, Brunswick West.

For more details on the importance of drinking fountains in shopping strips, see our article from last year.

Vote for More Climate Projects in this Year’s Community Budget Ideas

If you think that Merri-bek needs more that TWO new drinking fountains, then you have another opportunity to make your voice heard. Merri-bek is currently consulting on the 2024 Community Budget Ideas. There has been another submission proposing more drinking fountains.

You have until March 10, 2024 to vote. Here is the link.

We recommend the following projects (you can vote for three):

• Picnic tables in our neighbourhood parks (CAM’s suggestion!)
• More seats on walking routes to the shops
• Drinking fountains in shopping strips
• Permaculture education
• Accelerate the installation of sun shades over Merri-bek’s playgrounds.

For more details see our earlier blog.