Summary

20 page booklet 'Helpful hints for Waterwise gardeners'. The booklet contains: the benefits of being a 'waterwise' gardener; '7 secrets from experts'; and information about flowers, lawns, irrigation systems, water efficient plants, pot plants and shrubs. The booklet is published by South East Water and Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria, 2004.

Physical Description

20 page A5 size booklet, low sheen paper printed on white and/or green backgrounds, with coloured photographs. Back page is white with logos of Waterwise Victoria and Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria, plus contact details of South East Water Limited. Printed 2004.

Significance

These items were collected during the Water Smart Home project and document the developing strategies used by the Victorian Government, water authorities, private industries and communities in confronting the emerging water crisis from 1995 to 2007. It captures the increasing urgency to address the growing imbalance between water supply and demand. It demonstrates a shift in government strategy away from an investment in major infrastructure to a campaign focused on behaviour change methods to reduce water consumption and secure Melbourne's water future.

An interesting feature of this material is the focus on gardening. Prior to water restrictions, Melbourne households used up to 50% of potable water for gardening - a significant focus of the public education campaign was therefore directed to this popular cultural activity and offered many ways to preserve this activity within the limits of Melbourne's water supply.

The Smart Water Fund was set up as part of the 'Our Water Our Future' campaign to support innovative water conservation projects, including Museum Victoria's Water Smart Home project. This material was collected as part of the Water Smart Home project. It shows how the 'Our Water Our Future' campaign infiltrated households in Melbourne, and documents the broader community messages and education strategies.

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