Parched cricket and football ovals may be a thing of the past if Whittlesea residents embrace an innovative water-saving program being trialled this summer.
Outgoing State Water Minister Peter Walsh was at Mill Park Reserve last Wednesday to announce a $200,000 grant to help Whittlesea council develop a water offset program that will encourage residents to install water tanks.
Rainwater from the subsidised tanks will supply households with a portion of their water usage, which, in turn, will free up potable water for irrigating sports grounds.
Whittlesea council will work with local sports clubs to encourage their members and other community groups to install their own water tanks.
An agreement with Yarra Valley Water will ensure the unused water will be made available for sports clubs to use on their turf.
Mr Walsh said the Coalition wanted to make use of all water sources, including rainwater, stormwater and recycled water for non-drinking purposes to create more green urban spaces.
“A typical sports field will require 100 household rainwater tanks to be installed to offset the four megalitres of water per year used for oval irrigation, which offers a great target,” Mr Walsh said.
“This is a great project which engages Whittlesea residents and encourages water use behaviour change around the home, with the dual benefit of helping secure water for the areas many popular sports grounds.”
The council intends to use the grant to drought-proof Mill Park Reserve, which was severely affected in Victoria’s most recent drought.
The council will contribute $19,000 to the water offset scheme, thought to be the first of its kind in Australia.
Whittlesea mayor Ricky Kirkham is encouraging sports-loving residents to get behind their local sports club by signing up for a water tank.
“Given our city’s population increases by more than 8000 people a year, we’re always looking for more innovative ways to do things to save resources,” Cr Kirkham said.
Contact Edmond Lascaris on 9401 0512 or Edmond.lascaris@whittlesea.vic.gov.au for more information.
