Saving water has become a priority in New South Wales, this is why, in 2007, Auburn Council developed a Water Savings Action Plan (WSAP) outlining how Council could manage water more sustainably.
The Water Savings Action Plan identified the top ten highest water using sites within the Local Government Area, including Auburn Swim Centre, Auburn Botanic Gardens and Wyatt Park.
The plan set out how Council could reduce its overall use by 97,623,000 litres and save at least $185,000 per annum.
Council’s Water Savings Action Plan was awarded the Green Globe Award in Excellence.
Projects that have come out of the WSAP:
Wyatt Park Sustainable Water Program
Auburn Council conducted audits at the Ruth Everuss Swim Centre and identified several measures that could lead to substantial water and financial savings. A $55,000 grant was awarded from the NSW Department of environment and Climate Change to upgrade the 50 metre outdoor pool, by making it more water and energy efficient. In addition rain water tanks will be installed for collection and reuse of water.
Water savings at Auburn Botanic Gardens and parks within the Auburn LGA
In 2007, consultants from URS conducted research on the Auburn Botanic Gardens and several of Council’s playing fields to determine watering regimes that would maximise efficiency, using microclimate assessments.
The study identified annual water demand, ideal irrigation scheduling and actions to increase the water holding capacity of the soil.
Working together to sustain Parramatta River
As part of a partnership grant with neighbouring councils (Ashfield, Canada Bay, Hunters Hill, Parramatta, Ryde and Strathfield) and funded by the Environmental Trust, Auburn is implementing a water reuse project at Wyatt Park. Through the capture and treatment of stormwater runoff for reuse on sporting fields and the golf course, Auburn is contributing to an improvement in the quality of water in Parramatta River.
Sustainable water management in Duck River
Auburn Council has teamed with Parramatta and Bankstown Councils to assess the total water cycle management options for the Duck River catchment. This project will address the current and future demand for water in the catchment and the feasibility of using water that is currently taken from Duck River, from alternative resources, including sewer mining, stormwater, groundwater and industrial.
“Our parks and gardens use up a lot of our water resources,” General Manager John Burgess said. “As a local authority we need to be constantly looking at new ways of using water responsibly and make savings where possible.
“The Water Savings Action Plan sets clear targets and methods on how we can achieve substantial water savings. This will not only save water and energy but also save money which we can use to the benefit of our community.
“The continuing drought has encouraged Auburn Council to think of ways to save water and to use water more efficiently.
“Our aim is to become non reliant on potable water supply, which with the continuing water restrictions threatens the sustainability of our sporting fields. One of the simplest low cost ways is to reuse the water that is already there and find environmentally responsible ways of recycling this water for reuse.
“Constructing wetlands in one of Auburn LGA’s main sporting grounds at Wyatt Park will provide clean water for irrigation enabling Council to keep these facilities open for our community to enjoy. The added benefit of the wetlands is that it will attract more wildlife and improve the biodiversity of the area.”
