Policies & Strategies

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Open Space Water Management

Creating Water Sensitive Cities

Sustained drought, increasing temperatures and water restrictions are impacting the health of our trees, plants and open spaces.  Council is determined to manage these impacts to ensure the protection of trees and parks in our city.

We have created an Open Space Water Management Plan. The plan will help council better manage existing water sources, find and use alternative water sources, and adapt our open spaces to a drier and hotter climate

Download - Open Space Water Management Plan

Our main objectives are to:

  • maintain and improve the health of trees
  • maintain and improve the health and liveability of our parks and open spaces, now and into the future
  • find and use alternative water sources, and increase water efficiency
  • use innovative water sensitive urban design and other adaptation measures to adapt to a drier and hotter climate.

What will the plan achieve?

  • continued reduction in the use of potable water in open space, with an aim to achieve 50% of irrigation from non potable water sources by 2020
  • open space across the city will be in good condition, and fit for purpose
  • healthy, well maintained trees and gardens
  • irrigation systems that operate to a minimum of 75% efficiency
  • increase in the application of water sensitive urban design including passive irrigation and other water sensitive urban design systems
  • increase in the use of alternative water sources.

How will this be achieved?

  • improving and upgrading existing irrigation systems
  • improving turf management practices
  • sourcing alternative water sources
  • installing water sensitive urban design in council projects
  • increasing mulching in garden beds and around trees
  • watering new trees for the first two years, twice a week, throughout spring and summer
  • reviewing and monitoring key open space areas to limit excessive use
  • monitoring the impact that events have on our parks and open spaces and establishing event management processes that limit the impact of events.

What have we done ?



Raingardens

We have already started to install raingardens in the City of Port Phillip. You can see examples of raingardens in Coventry Street, South Melbourne; Elwood Foreshore; and Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. The raingardens improve water quality by removing suspended solids, nitrogens and phosphates, whilst providing a source of water for the trees.



Drought tolerant planting

Changing our spor ts field from cool season grass to warm season grass - which is drought tolerant - has helped to reduce water usage and has improved the condition of our sporting grounds, despite the drought. This has occurred at Port Melbourne Soccer Ground,Peanut Farm Reserve, Lagoon Reserve, Alma Park Oval and the Esplanade Oval.



Stormwater harvesting

Another example of water sensitive urban design has been the installation of passive stormwater harvesting pits. These pits divert stormwater from the gutters into agricultural pipes that water surrounding trees.
Pits have been installed at Clarke Street Reserve and the Broadway, Elwood; Howe and Walter Reserve, PortMelbourne; and Graham Street, Albert Park.

Download

Open Space Water Management Plan

Water Management Plan

Links

Water Management and Conservation

More Information

Contact the ASSIST Service Centre and ask for Parks & Open Spaces or Sustainable Enviroment Department

Phone ASSIST
You can contact Council by phone on 9209 6777
Mon 8am - 6pm,
Tues - Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm

Online
Make a request via our online feedback form or email assist@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Fax ASSIST 03 9536 2722
TTY 03 9209 6713
SMS 0432 005 405

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Environmental Policy & Planning.