Sports Grounds / Clubs
Sports grounds/clubs questions and answers are available below.
For more specific information visit :
- Storage trigger levels
- Dripper systems
- Watering days for gardens
- Vehicle washing
- Pools and spas
- Industry and small businesses
- Penalties and exemptions
- Other stage 3A questions
- Stage 4 restrictions
- Further information
What are sportsgrounds doing to save water?
Each local council rationalises their sportsgrounds. This means that one in four is selected to be watered. Water used on the sportsground needs to be reduced by 25%, in accordance with a water conservation plan that has been submitted by each council to their water retailer. Many councils are now utilising recycled water, installing rainwater tanks and water efficient appliances.
Why are one in four sportsgrounds still permitted to water?
It is important that we keep our community sport going while still cutting back the amount of water that we are using.
I represent a baseball/softball club – is any part of our diamond considered to be an exempt playing surface?
Yes. The following areas are considered exempt and can be watered in accordance with the rules for such surfaces:
- the parts of the infield that are the batters’ base running areas (the running areas and the bases)
- the pitching mound and immediate surrounds (but not the whole infield area between the mound and the lines between the bases).
- any of these areas regardless of surface (e.g. en-tout-cas, turf / grass, etc) if it requires water to maintain durability and safety.
The following are not considered an exempt playing surface:
- the rest of the infield
- the area between the pitching mound
- lines between bases
- the area immediately outside the lines between 2nd, 3rd and 4th bases
- the outfield.
Water allocations for sports grounds
Under Stage 3 & 3a water restrictions, watering of sports grounds must be carried out in accordance with the Drought Response Plan. Currently there are two options available to Councils:
- Watering under a 'Water Allocation' (Water allocation form (PDF, 589 kb))
- Watering under a '1 in 4' arrangement (refer to your water utility website for a separate application form City West Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water).
Downloads
You will need Adobe Acrobat to access the above PDF documents. 