Supporting a sustainable city for National Water Week

Supporting a sustainable city for National Water Week

Minister for Finance and Services Andrew Constance has today marked National Water Week by unveiling the revamped Sustainability House at Taronga Zoo – an exhibition promoting liveable communities to school students.The Minister was joined by Taronga Zoo Director Cameron Kerr and students from Castlecrag and Terrey Hills to celebrate the newly re-developed exhibition in the Zoo’s ‘Backyard to Bush’ education precinct.“The Sustainability House has received an amazing facelift, and we’re excited to unveil it during this year’s National Water Week, which is all about celebrating liveable communities,” Mr Constance said.“The Sustainability House is a fantastic educational tool for students to engage with and learn about the small things they can do to ensure Sydney is a liveable city.”“By 2030, Sydney is expected to grow by 1.4 million people and have 550,000 new homes, so we need to make sure these people have a clean supply of water and a healthy environment to live in.” “Providing children with an interactive learning experience where they find out things like not to put oil or food scraps down a drain are simple but important facts that will help improve the waterways of our city.”The Sustainability House is sponsored by Sydney Water and the recent redevelopment shows a number of new wall murals that depict a healthy water cycle, effects of climate change, encourage drinking tap and not bottled water and a list of things that should and should not go down a drain.”Taronga Zoo Director, Cameron Kerr, said the relationship with Sydney Water was a great environmental partnership because healthy waterways are vital to Australian wildlife such as the platypus and waterbirds.”“The Sustainability House is an excellent way to show children and families how they can help provide a sustainable future for people and wildlife using resources like water responsibly.”Schools and students who would like to visit Sustainability House can contact Taronga Zoo’s Education Team on: 9978 4624 or 9978 4578 or emaileducation@zoo.nsw.gov.auMinister Constance said: “it’s really important that the next generation enjoy learning about ways to create a healthier and more sustainable environment.”“It’s vital that we keep investing in the future and the way that the Sustainability House teaches young people about protecting our waterways and conserving our drinking water supplies is definitely a long term investment in the education of the next generation."