Gladstone Region Youth Council and Gladstone Region Neighbourhood Centre recently joined forces to unveil an accessible drinking fountain at Lions Park in Boyne Island prior to Disability Action Week held in late November.

The idea to install the accessible drinking fountain came from Youth Council member Ava Hetherington after she saw similar drinking fountains while travelling overseas.

The accessible drinking fountain, manufactured by specialist company Civiq, dispenses cool filtered water and is designed to provide clear access space for wheelchair users while featuring a traditional water fountain and water bottle refill station in an effort to reduce single-use plastics.

Gladstone Region Councillor Leanne Patrick, who attended the unveiling alongside Cr Mellissa Holzheimer, said two more drinking fountains are scheduled to be installed in the region.

“We’re excited to install one at Millennium Esplanade as part of the upcoming toilet and shower upgrade at Tannum Beach, with another planned for Lions Park in Gladstone,” Cr Patrick said.

“These drinking fountains are becoming the new standard for our region thanks to the proactive work of the Gladstone Region Youth Council.

“It’s another way Council is making sure everyone is included and not left behind.”

Cr Holzheimer said the accessible drinking fountain is one of several actions in Council’s Access and Inclusion Action Plan 2024–27.

“It’s exciting because it ensures people with disability, older residents, and children can easily access drinking water while out in the community,” Cr Holzheimer said.

“The bottle refill station also encourages reusable bottles and helps reduce plastic pollution.”

This article was published on the Gladstone Regional Council website.