Water‑efficient native garden thrives at Dripstone Middle School – from learning to lizards

The Office of Water Security (OWS) joined Power and Water Corporation and the Department of Education and Training at Dripstone Middle School in early December 2025 to help year 7 students weed their native garden.

The native garden was installed in early 2025 as part of the pilot schools water efficiency program.

A section of water‑intensive turf was converted into a garden with native plants, and as the saying goes, if you build it, they will come. The team spotted all kinds of species that had made the native garden their home: caterpillars, butterflies and even a baby frill‑necked lizard!

Native gardens require significantly less water than many non‑native species. They reduce the area requiring irrigation, which lowers the school’s water consumption. The native garden also provides educational opportunities that align with Power and Water Corporation’s That’s My Water curriculum.

The schools water efficiency program is part of Power and Water’s expanded Living Water Smart program, co‑funded by OWS. For more information, go to the Living Water Smart website.

OWS, PWC and DET getting their hands dirty in Dripstone Middle School's native garden.

Frilled-neck lizard in Dripstone Middle School.