ONCE-humble water will be given a status traditionally accorded to gold and other precious resources under a plan encouraging Cardinia Shire residents to value every drop.

Spurred by the restrictions of drought and the demands of a fast-growing population, council has proposed a series of initiatives promoting water conservation.

The move would see rainwater tanks made compulsory in all new houses, businesses and industrial developments.

With more than 20 new homes being built in the shire every week, the council is hoping its plan will produce water savings in the hundreds of millions of litres.

Councillors endorsed the initiative at a meeting last month.

Cr Graeme Legge said it showed Cardinia meant business.

“This reflects current community outlook and has an aim for the future as well,” he said.

The Cardinia water conservation principles propose to:

REQUIRE all homes in new residential areas to have rainwater tanks.

PROMOTE and encourage the installation of water tanks in existing households.

CHANGE planning laws to require new industrial and commercial developments to install rainwater tanks of at least 2000 litres for each business or propose more effective water conservation measures.

WORK with developers and government agencies to establish a ‘model water management’ development.

MAKE recreation reserves more water-efficient by upgrading sporting fields to summer grasses, sinking bores at several reserves and installing rainwater tanks where possible.

Council believes its initiatives will achieve water savings of around 150 million litres by the end of next year and a massive 600 million litres by 2011.

Cr Bill Pearson said residents could be proud that civic leaders were taking a local lead on a global issue.

“Council has stepped up,” he said.

Cardinia has pledged to follow its own lead by introducing water-conservation programs in its own buildings.

New shire facilities must meet energy and water-efficient standards.

The council will also encourage homeowners to take up the State Government’s rebates of between $150 and $900 for tank installation.