Fourth hydration station for sports precinct

23 September, 2025

A fourth Goulburn Valley Water hydration station has been installed at Shepparton Sports Precinct in readiness for the 2025-26 athletics season.

Celebrating 10 years next year, Shepparton Sports City is a regional sports hub with facilities for athletics, football, hockey, netball and a range of other sports.

The new hydration station is located within the athletics centre, thanks to a partnership between Goulburn Valley Water and Greater Shepparton City Council that started way back in 2014 and has now extended the number of drinking fountains in the local government area to 33.

The athletics centre is home to a wide range of events and is used year-round by schools, athletics clubs, and Little Athletics groups. The new hydration station will support everyone from budding junior athletes to seasoned competitors, as well as the many families and supporters who attend events.

Goulburn Valley Water Managing Director Dr Steve Capewell said sites like the sports precinct were important in encouraging physical activity in our communities and the availability of water while exercising or competing for their clubs was a necessary element for residents.

“We now have hydration stations in every town with a drinking water supply in our region, which includes 10 towns in the Greater Shepparton area.

“Our aim is to continue working with councils, sporting and community groups to help people make the best choice – to Choose Tap,” Dr Capewell said.

Alongside the athletics centre installation, a second hydration station is now available to Deakin Reserve user groups. The drinking fountain is alongside the Shepparton Bears clubrooms at the western end of the ground.

Alongside the sporting precinct drinking fountains and those located within recreation reserves, there are also hydration stations at the Australiana Botanical Gardens at Kialla, Coloura Gardens at Toolamba, Rail Trails at Dookie and Murchison, Craigmuir Lakes at Mooroopna and outside health providers in Stanhope and Shepparton.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said Shepparton Sports City was an integral part of the region’s sporting infrastructure.

“Our region loves its sport and Shepparton Sports City is a premier sports precinct which caters to a great variety of sports including soccer, hockey, netball, basketball and athletics,” he said.

“The facilities are used year-round, and this new hydration station is a welcome addition to the amenities available for residents and visitors who are utilising the precinct.”

Shepparton Little Athletics Club will have close to 300 members this year, among the most for any regional centre, and is staging a “come and try” event on October 4 - before the season officially starts on October 11.

Alongside the permanent hydration station program there is also a number of portable water provision units available under the sponsorship program for outdoor community events. These are hugely popular during spring and summer, so event organisers are encouraged to contact Goulburn Valley Water’s sponsorship team well in advance.

For more information about the Be Smart Choose Tap sponsorship program and details of where to find existing hydration stations visit Choose Tap.