The introduction of Stage 3 Water Restrictions in January has had a significant effect on Council’s ability to maintain the best possible ground conditions within Wyndham.
Council is working closely with City West Water, local sporting clubs and state sports associations to ensure that there is minimal impact to competitive sport.
Below are some answers to commonly asked questions. For further information on Water Restrictions and how they affect sport and recreation, contact Council’s Recreation Planning Unit on 9742 0840 or visit City West Water’s website: www.citywestwater.com.au
Q. What are Council's long, medium and short term strategies to supply water to sports reserves?
A. Council's long term strategy is to have all sports reserves on class A recycled water. Discussions have begun with City West Water in relation to extending the existing Hoppers Pipeline to include Hogans Rd Reserve, The Grange and other sites in that vicinity.
It is expected that the Werribee West pipeline to Manor Lakes and beyond will be operational in the next 3 to 4 years. This will irrigate Galvin Park, Presidents Park, Wyndham Vale Reserve and any future reserves planned beyond Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes. In time it is also expected to service Chirnside Reserve.
In the medium term Council is investigating the benefits of warm climate grasses for active sporting fields. These species use 30-40% less water and are more drought tolerant than cool climate varieties. The dilemma in converting to warm climate grasses is that they require a 6-8 week establishment period during spring and require substantially more water during this period. The cost to convert a standard size football oval to warm climate grass species is $25,000.
Sub-surface drip irrigation (SSDI) is also being investigated with potential water savings around 60%. The benefits SSDI are:
- reduced water loss due to evaporation, run-off and over spray;
- deeper root growth;
- reduction of potential vandalism; and
- can be used during play.
Typical sub surface irrigation is 30 -50% more expensive than spray systems. As a result this requires significant capital expenditure. Currently Council is trialling a SSDI system on the Presidents Park Baseball Diamonds 2 & 3 and the Cambridge Reserve Ovals. Future oval development may include this type of irrigation as standard.
Under Stage 3 and 3a Water Restrictions, Council's short term strategy is the Water Conservation Plan - which is basically a 75% saving on original use.
During stage 2 Water Restrictions Council was able to irrigate the majority of grounds under its Water Conservation Plan and this has resulted in better surfaces overall.
Q. What happens if we go into Stage 4 Water Restrictions?
A. Council will be unable to irrigate any sports reserves. Interstate sport and professional venues may apply for exemptions. An exemption would possibly include Chirnside Park Oval as it is a VFL venue.
Q. How much water is required to maintain grass over the summer season?
A. Generally a standard football oval requires a total of 150,000 and 200,000 litres per week. Scheduled over two to three applications per week this enables adequate water for growth, repair and to sustain play.
Q. Can Water tanks be installed at reserves and re-cycled water be tanked in?
A. Council has investigated the cost and logistics of using tankers however this is cost prohibitive and the potential damage to surfaces would negate any value. The estimated cost of this exercise is around $2000 per week per ground. At this stage Council will not be trucking in water to water sports grounds.
Council does not intend to install storage tanks on site for the same reasons. Cost estimates for a suitably sized tank with the necessary pumping equipment is between $50,000 and $70,000. Additionally, rain water tanks would not be able to capture a sufficient amount of roof run-off to water grounds.
Q. Can Council put bores to irrigate reserves?
A. The majority of Wyndham sits on the Deutgam Aquifer. Currently bores in this area are over subscribed and the State Government will not issue any further licences. Additionally these bores are still subject to restrictions, so for example a 10 mega litre water right under the current ground water restrictions would only leave access to 15% or 1.5 mega litres.
Private land owners are able to drill bores for domestic use but there are further restrictions on public land especially given the amount of water required to irrigate an oval.
Q. Who is responsible for ground closures?
A. Unless under exceptional circumstances, Council will not be closing grounds. Council will recommend grounds are not used if they believe they are unsafe. As per normal practice, it is the responsibility of the clubs to inspect the grounds prior to training or games. Where the ground is considered unsafe, clubs should cancel play/training until the ground condition improves and report any problems to Council immediately.
In the event of ground closure Council will try to offer an alternative venue, however this may require rescheduling of matches by the relevant Associations.
Q. Who is responsible for re-cycled water projects?
A. City West Water funded the current pipeline project which supplies Class A recycled water to Glen Orden Oval, Warringa Cres Oval, Mossfiel Reserve, VU Wyndham Sporting Complex, Melbourne Uni Vet School and MacKillop College. Council made a financial contribution to this project and provided technical support for the specific sporting reserves.
Q. Will school usage of grounds be restricted?
A. Council staff will monitor the condition of grounds and if required limit or cancel the use of grounds by school groups. Council’s priority is to ensure ground condition is maintained for Club competition.
Q. What grounds are currently exempt?
A. The following sporting fields are currently exempt under stage 3a Water Restrictions:
- Chirnside Park Oval
- Dunnings Rd Oval
- Galvin Park Football Oval 1
- Galvin Park Soccer Pitch 1
- Hogans Rd Oval 1
- Presidents Park Baseball Diamond 1
- Soldiers Reserve Oval
- The Grange Reserve Soccer Pitch 1
- Wyndham Vale Oval 1
Further to the exempt grounds, the following ovals are exempt until recycled water is connected each reserve in May 2007:
- Glen Orden Oval
- Mossfiel Reserve Rugby Pitches 1 & 2
- Warringa Crescent Oval
- VU Wyndham Sporting Complex (soccer and track infield)