Association & Club Support

On 1 April, 2007, Melbourne moved to level 3a water restrictions, which are currently still in place.  

In general under 3a restrictions, 1 in 4 sports grounds, as nominated by council, can be watered. In addition, exempt playing surfaces, such as turf cricket wickets, golf tees and greens (not fairways), tennis courts, bowling greens, hockey pitches, running tracks and croquet greens can in some cases be watered. 

In an effort to stem the rapid loss of sport surfaces, the Water Exemptions Committee, made up of representatives of each of the Water Boards, introduced in February 2008, a voluntary system of Water Allocations for Sports Facilities (not including parks, gardens or open public space).  Under this allocation system, councils may apply to their water authority to water any irrigated sports facility under its control, so long as they do not exceed the water allocation issued to it by the water authority. In order to be granted an allocation council need to have a water meter installed at each ground and must have a Water Conservation Plan in place that is submitted to, and approved by, the authority.  

The key components of the Water Conservation Plan councils must submit are:  

• Provide refurbishment plans for ovals requiring transition to drought tolerant grasses by July 2008, with the target to have all grounds transitioned within 3 years

•  Put in place a plan for installation of check water meters where required

•  Complete an audit of efficiency of irrigation systems by July 2008

• Monthly monitoring and reporting of water consumption to the water authority

• Community communications plan including publishing watering details on line and displaying signage at grounds.

 Further information regarding the new water allocation system can be found by clicking on the document below.

For more details regarding application of the system, contact your local water board or Council.