By Kirsty Ross
SPORTING grounds and park lawns will spoil over summer if a council plea to Melbourne’s water authority is refused.
Under the stage two water restrictions, Hobsons Bay City Council can’t water lawns or sporting grounds.
But cricket wickets, trees and garden beds can be watered. The council has submitted an application to City West Water to continue watering sportsgrounds so they are playable in the coming cricket and football months.
However, as a requirement of the City West Water exemption, the council must reduce outdoor consumption by 25 per cent.
The council will reduce its water consumption by suspending irrigation of all warm season grasses, including couch grass in November and December.
Mayor Carl Marsich said while compliance with the water restrictions was imperative, it was also important to maintain popular community facilities.
“Council acknowledges that the State Government’s water restrictions are extremely important to abide by, given the drought-ridden state Australia is in, and given that climate change will reduce the amount of rainfall across Australia in the long term,” he said.
He said that even with the exemption, some facilities would still be affected by the restrictions, but would work closely to ensure maintenance.
For more information about water restrictions in Hobsons Bay, visit the website www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
