Resident suggestion inspires new hydration station

The Borough of Queenscliffe has responded to suggestions from visitors to Queenscliff’s Narrows Beach by installing a drinking fountain and dog bowl in the beach car park. Works began last fortnight to bore underneath the highway and connect water to the coastal side of the road, and the tap opened to the public on Friday 6 December.

“Our residents love letting their dogs roam free along Narrows Beach, our only dog off-leash area, and they’ve told us that we could make that experience even better by introducing a fresh water source nearby,” said Queenscliffe Mayor Cr Ross Ebbels. “I regularly take our dog Pippa for walks along the beach here, so I was very excited to see this idea being put into action.”

Council installed the new fountain following a suggestion from Queenscliff resident Lenny Coles, who raised the idea with Councillors at a recent Council Listening Post. “This project only happened because I shared my idea with Councillors at a Listening Post, and they put my idea into action,” said Mr Coles.

The drinking fountain is made from recycled materials and will increase the number of bubblers around the Borough to 21, providing clean, cool water for beachgoers and walkers throughout summer and beyond. Meanwhile, the dog bowl will complement the existing waste bag dispenser to offer more practicality and comfort to anyone taking their furry friend for a walk.

Council encourages all residents to make use of the facilities by staying hydrated and cleaning up after your pet, wherever you are. We also want to say thank you to our residents who are always providing us with ideas and improvements for the Borough.

If you have any other suggestions or feedback, please join your local Councillors for their next listening post on Friday 13 December at 11:00am at the Queenscliff Uniting Church.