'Water for Life': ErinEarth to unveil biofiltration rain garden with a community planting day

As spring arrives and casts a fresh glow across the region, ErinEarth invites everyone to celebrate the season of renewal with an interactive eco-event.

ErinEarth is a sustainable living education centre and volunteering community that showcases a waterwise native plant garden and organic vegetable growing.

ErinEarth’s Spring Festival, ‘Water for Life,’ will unveil its new biofiltration basin on Saturday 14 September.

It will focus on improving stormwater quality and rehydrating the Wagga and Riverina landscape.

“We’ve got a biofilter – a new stormwater management device,” said ErinEarth communications officer Sam Holt.

“We’re going to be planting out with everybody … a bit of a working bee and a chance for everyone to let the hair down.

“What is a biofilter? What’s a stormwater quality improvement device? We’re going to save those questions for the day.”

Sam said the working bee would be supplied with tools to plant over 200 native sedges and grasses to help complete the rain garden and improve stormwater runoff.

“We’re going to bring the bio into the biofiltration,” Sam said. “We’ve got about 200 sedges and grasses from some local nurseries.”

“We’re encouraging people to learn more about what makes a wetland habitat and how plants can help improve the quality of urban stormwater runoff.

“We’ve got a crack squad of students who will be leading some of the planting, but we’re inviting the community as well to come and learn a bit more about it and take some ownership over it.”

Sam said a group of Ashmont Primary students would showcase stencils and slogans to raise awareness about stormwater runoff and its impact on Australian wildlife.

“Platypus was found in our Wollundry Lagoon, and we have the rakali (Australian native otter or water rat),” Sam said.

“Improving stormwater runoff is about letting people know about the beautiful freshwater assets and ecologies we once had in Wagga and learning what we can do to preserve what we have.

“The series of stencils and slogans by Ashmont Primary students will be put around the Flowerdale Lagoon on the day.

“It’s a nice ‘Why?’ to why you would put all this energy into improving stormwater, and the big kicker is to save platypus habitat.”

The Spring Festival will feature live music by Albury singer-songwriter Toby Mobbs, kid-friendly activities, and great food, including vegetarian and vegan wraps, sausages, cakes, and barista coffee.

Sam is encouraging all attendees to walk or ride to the garden, as parking around Kildare Street may be limited.

Attendees interested in the planting are encouraged to wear closed footwear, sunscreen and a hat.

The Spring Festival – Water for Life will be on Saturday 14 September at ErinEarth from 9:30 am to 2 pm.