Irrigation Policy

Developed by Canberra Urban Parks and Place in October 1999

Used by Parks, Conservation and Lands in the Department of Territory and Municipal Services.

• Purpose
• Background
• The Resource
• Strategic Direction
• References
• Legislation

Purpose

The urban open space system in Canberra has helped give the city its image as the premier garden city of Australia. The vegetated landscape contained in urban areas of Canberra, including grass and trees, needs to be maintained in order to ensure the continuation of this image. This policy outlines current and future directions for irrigation of urban open space in Canberra.

Background

As an agency of the Department of Territory and Municipal Services, Parks, Conservation and Lands manages urban open space which is land that has been identified for long term public use. The urban open space system enhances the scenic setting of Canberra and provides an attractive environment for people's recreational activity and enjoyment. Parks, Conservation and Lands manage approximately 5250 hectares of urban open space, 125 hectares of which is irrigated grass. The areas which are irrigated occur within town parks, district parks, neighbourhood parks, road medians and verges. Some shrub beds and trees in town and district parks and shopping centres are also irrigated.

All Australians are aware that water is a precious resource and should not be wasted. Parks, Conservation and Lands is committed to maintaining our parks, road medians and verges and trees at a high standard, while also conserving or utilising other sources of water where possible.

The Resource

A highly variable rainfall, extremes in temperature and the flora selected for planting means that irrigation is necessary to maintain the "garden city". The climate of the ACT and surrounding region is a temperate sub-humid climate. In the colder months, temperature is the limiting factor for plant growth, and in the warmer months, high levels of evaporation limit moisture availability. To achieve the most efficient use of resources, irrigation of urban open space is concentrated on areas of intensive use.

Strategic Direction

The Department Territory and Municipal Services has been established to deliver efficiently and competitively a range of urban services to the people of the ACT which includes irrigation of parkland and road medians and verges, and shopping centres. The irrigation of parks, trees, road medians and verges makes an important contribution to the overall appearance of Canberra, which is vital for encouraging tourism in this region. Parks, Conservation and Lands are committed to maintaining the image of Canberra as a "garden city" as a service to the people of the region and in order to encourage tourism.

1.  In order to maintain the City of Canberra's appearance, it is necessary to irrigate some park areas and road verges so as to maintain uniform grass cover, tree and shrub health.

Canberra is a unique city with an exceptional amount of vegetation in urban open space areas. However, with Canberra's climate it is not possible to maintain healthy grass cover and establish new trees without some irrigation, especially in areas of high use.

ACTIONS

• Young trees are regularly watered.
• During drought periods more mature trees are watered if required.
• Priority areas for irrigation are the high use areas in Town, District and Neighbourhood Parks with playgrounds and barbeque areas.
• Areas near shopping centres, for example shrub and flower beds, are watered.
• Selected areas are irrigated for aesthetic reasons, for example Northbourne Avenue and City Hill.

2.  The use of water for irrigation purposes is as efficient as possible, in keeping with good water conservation practices.

All Australians understand the need for good water conservation practices in our country with its climatic conditions. The stated goal of the ACT Government is that "The ACT urban environment is clean, safe and managed efficiently and sustainably" (97-98 ACT Budget Paper No.4). Irrigation in Canberra's parks is applied as infrequently as possible without causing damage to the grass, and run-off is avoided by ensuring that all water applied enters the soil.

ACTIONS

• The use of grass species that require less water and are more drought tolerant is used and encouraged.
• Tree species are predominantly selected for their ability to survive under the natural climatic and rainfall conditions of Canberra.
• Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of irrigation equipment is undertaken in order to improve efficiency, reliability and uniformity of water application.
• Where practical, second class (or lake) water is utilised.

3.  Automatic irrigation systems have been installed in a number of Canberra's parks and road verges, increasing efficiency of water usage, convenience for park users and safety.

Automatic irrigation systems allow for watering at night, which is required by the local water authority, and is the time of least use. Other advantages to watering at night are that there is less loss of water due to wind and evaporation, and more consistent water pressure, which allows for increased efficiency of water use. On occasion in winter, daytime irrigation is necessary in order to avoid any possibility of creating slippery conditions, in particular "black ice" on roads and footpaths.

ACTIONS

• Automatic systems will be utilised where appropriate for the irrigation of Canberra's parklands.

4.  Parks, Conservation and Lands will comply with water restrictions that may be imposed during drought periods.

Any restrictions on water usage imposed by local water authorities shall be complied with while trying to maintain the health of grass cover and trees in parks.

ACTIONS

• Negotiations will be held regarding levels of water use with the local water authority.

5.  Where practical, the use of second class (or lake) water will be utilised for irrigation purposes.

The use of second class water is a key outcome identified by the ACT Government for a healthy, safe, diverse and contributing community in relation to the environment (Urban Services Directions and Priorities 1998-2001). Lake water is used for irrigation purposes instead of town water where possible. However, there are restrictions on how much water can be used from our lakes, so when lake water is not available for irrigation purposes, town water is used.

ACTIONS

• Ongoing investigations are undertaken to assess the suitability of using second class water in areas not already using second class water.
• Problems associated with the use of lake water for irrigation purposes are continually being addressed to ensure the reliability of the system.

6.  New technologies that have the potential to increase water use efficiency are constantly being reviewed and investigated.

Parks, Conservation and Lands is committed to increasing water use efficiency wherever possible and continues to monitor the irrigation equipment market for new innovations in water use efficiency.

ACTIONS

•  Parks, Conservation and Lands keep up to date with new technologies in irrigation in order to improve the efficiency of water use.
• Sub-surface irrigation systems are being evaluated for future utilisation in high use parks and other areas.

7.  New technologies that have the potential to increase water use efficiency are constantly being reviewed and investigated.

Parks, Conservation and Lands is committed to increasing water use efficiency wherever possible and continues to monitor the irrigation equipment market for new innovations in water use efficiency.

ACTIONS

• Parks, Conservation and Lands keep up to date with new technologies in irrigation in order to improve the efficiency of water use.
• Sub-surface irrigation systems are being evaluated for future utilisation in high use parks and other areas.

References

Australian Capital Territory Government (1994). City Parks Handbook. ACT Parks and Conservation Service. July 1994.

Australian Capital Territory Government (1994). Turf Management Manual. ACT Parks and Conservation Service. November 1994.

Legislation

Water Resources Act 1998.