As a result of low winter rains and the ongoing threat to sporting facilities across Victoria, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has joined forces with ten peak sporting and industry bodies. They have formed a new alliance, the Victorian Community Sports Surfaces Sustainability Alliance (VCSSSA), to combat the ongoing challenges caused by drought.
MAV President, Councillor Dick Gross, said a new report by the group shows the vital contribution of sport to the health, vitality and cohesion of Victorian communities. He said the report, ‘Strategies for Managing Sports Surfaces in a Drier Climate’, also highlights the need for more efficient longterm water use strategies to maintain facilities and ensure the continuation of sporting competitions.
“The threat to sporting activity has potentially devastating social consequences, including reduced physical and mental health levels, increased obesity and antisocial behaviour, as well as financial impacts and job losses,” Councillor Gross said. “Longterm strategies are difficult to implement when only one in four sports grounds can be watered under current restrictions. The VCSSSA is seeking exemptions from water restrictions for three months so that Councils can establish drought tolerant grasses on sports facilities.
“The alliance also aims to establish a water offset scheme for Councils to reuse water savings on other sports facilities, and a tiered pricing structure to link water use, supply and demand.
In addition, MAV is seeking the creation of an $80 million, State Government funding program over eight years to help share the cost of drought proofing sports facilities, plus an immediate injection of $2 million towards the cost of municipal sports facility water audits to inform the longterm strategies that are needed.
“These initiatives will help to reduce water use, ensure the long term availability of sporting facilities in Victoria, and the continued active involvement of more than 2.6 million users and 85,000 employees in the sports industry.”
Councillor Gross said some Councils are already starting to plant drought tolerant grasses, improve irrigation and turf management practices, install water capture facilities and investigate alternative water sources.
Maroondah City Council in eastern Melbourne has introduced a $1 million package in its 2007/2008 budget, which will tackle the effects of the prolonged drought and assist sporting clubs and community groups in the leadup to the summer season and beyond.
Projects and sporting clubs to benefit from the $1 million include 11 tennis clubs on Council land, with $10,000 each to fund water saving measures, such as the installation of water tanks; an extension of warm season grass programs at four parks and reserves; and $80,000 for the installation of eight 50,000 litre water tanks to irrigate five turf wickets, the croquet club and a bowls club.
Funding will also assist initiatives to reduce water usage at Council facilities, including:
- $150,000 to install a backwash recycling plant at Ringwood Aquatic Centre, which will allow the reuse of backwash water
- $50,000 towards the purchase of a water tanker to distribute recycled water to various Council facilities
- $15,000 to enlarge the existing dam storage at Council’s plant nursery, including installation of pumps to allow recirculation of the used water back to the dam.
To view the MAV Sports Surfaces Taskforce Report visit www.mav.asn.au or for further information contact Councillor Gross on 0411 446 167.
