|
Water Conservation Projects and Programs
We are continually developing projects and programs to help reduce water usage in our region.
Below is a list of past, current and future projects that we have initiated and/or supported in order to become a more water-wise city.
Queens Park
A key objective of the Queens Park Master Plan was to identify possible water storage locations within Queens Park reserve for recycled water. This water could be used for golf course and playing field irrigation.
A proposal is currently underway suggesting a watering system that would include water storages located strategically to capture recycled water generated from the Fyansford and Riverlee residential developments.
The captured recycled water would then be used for irrigation of the golf course and playing fields.
Grinter Reserve
It is proposed that a wetland be built behind Splashdown to catch water from a stormwater diversion pipe from Whittington, as well as from the pool backwash and roof of Splashdown. This wetland will:
- Clean the water and create a natural habitat for plants, fish and birdlife.
- Provide 100% of the water necessary to maintain all the facilities and landscaping within Grinter Reserve.
Johnstone Park
A stormwater harvesting project has been developed in Johnstone Park to capture stormwater run-off from the roadway and the civic buildings in Little Malop Street. The water:
- Will be stored in two 30,000 litre water tanks that have been installed underground at Johnstone Park
- Will be used to maintain the park’s many significant trees
Geelong Botanic Gardens
An irrigation plan has been developed for the Geelong Botanic Gardens, which will result in more effective water use in garden maintenance.
Although the Geelong Botanic Gardens have an exemption for watering significant plants, this plan is being developed to minimise water use wherever possible.
Sports grounds turf upgrading
We are gradually converting all of our public sports reserves to drought-tolerant turf.
- The 2009/10 Budget has allocated $170,000 to plant drought-tolerant turf at:
- King Lloyd Reserve (Newtown)
- Richmond Crescent (East Geelong)
- Drew Reserve (Manifold Heights)
- Mcdonald Reserve (Belmont)
- $450,000 was also allocated to upgrade irrigation at:
- Richmond Crescent
- Drew Reserve
- Elderslie Reserve (Newtown).
- Grounds that were renovated to be drought-tolerant in 2008-2009 were:
- St Albans Reserve
- Drysdale Football Ground
- Western Oval (Geelong West)
- Portarlington FC
- Grinter Reserve (Newcomb FC)
- Memorial Park (Leopold FC)
Barwon Prison - Elcho Park Water Project
As a joint project between the Department of Justice, Barwon Water and City of Greater Geelong, a minimum of 30 megalitres of Class C Water will be supplied to the Elcho Park precinct every year using stormwater harvested from Barwon Prison.
- The construction and installation of a 67km pipeline will be tendered in August 2009, and it is anticipated water will be flowing into the dam at Elcho Park by the summer 2010
- The treatment plant at the prison will be operated by Barwon Water
- The total cost of the project is $670,000, including a $100,000 Grant from the Victorian Government’s Smart Water Fund
Armstrong Creek
The much anticipated Urban Growth zone Armstrong Creek has a strong focus on sustainability, including water conservation projects and programs. These include:
- Recycled water (3rd pipe) for use by the community in and around the home and by Council in maintaining open space and recreation reserves
- Water harvesting projects, particularly relating to recreation reserves. These will involve rainwater tanks as well as ponds / wetlands for irrigation use
- Reduction in the use of potable water within the development (ie: via household fixtures and appliances, and open space landscaping)
- Use of water sensitive urban design principles to ensure water quality is maintained before being discharged into downstream waterways
Anakie Road
A stormwater harvesting project is planned at the Anakie Road Operations Centre, to be complete by October 2009.
- The stormwater from the Anakie Road Operations Centre and the nearby residential area will be directed to a dam to be built next to the main gate of the Operations Centre
- The $300,000 project was funded under the Federal Government Economic Stimulus Plan (Regional and Local Communities Infrastructure Program)
- It is planned to commence construction on 24 August 2009 and will be completed by the end of September 2009
- Water will be pumped by a solar pump out of the dam into to overhead tanks for use in street cleaning, drainage maintenance and cleaning, road maintenance, road construction and some tree and open space watering
- The dam will provide almost all of the water used by the Operations Centre and amounts to some 10 mega litres per year
- The use of solar energy for pumping the water to elevated tanks means that the project uses only renewable energy
City Learning and Care Centres
A number of our City Learning and Care Centres have implemented water conservation initiatives. Four are listed below:
- The Link Child Care Centre, Whittington has used money from the Federal government stimulus to install 2 x 6500 litre (13000) underground water tanks to flush their toilets and water their lawn, 2 x 2500 litre learning tanks for the children in the sandpit area and an additional 1000 litre tank for the children to use for watering the vegetable garden. Every roof surface of the child care centre (includes two shade structures and an independent shed) has been used to harvest water.
- Trudy Moritz Child Care Centre, Norlane has installed two water tanks. One is a 2300 litre Learning Tank in the playground, which teaches the children about water conservation. Water from this tank is used by the children to water their vegetable garden. The second tank is larger one out the back, with an internal pump that allows the water to be used for watering the grass and play area gardens.
- Belmont City Learning & Care centre have two slimline water tanks. One is connected to a pump, and it is used maintain the grass. The other is in the children's play yard, used for watering the vegetable garden and various other plants.
- Corio City Learning and Care centre recently had three water tanks installed for maintaining their gardens as well as to educate the children about water conservation.
|
Documentation
Download further information