Irrigation and Water Regime

Groundwater Use – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why is the City reducing its water use at parks, reserves and sporting ovals?

A1. The City of Joondalup is committed to becoming a Waterwise Local Government and places a high priority on the environmentally sustainable practice of conserving water.

The State Government also requires the City to monitor and reduce groundwater use and as a result the City is implementing a water conservation plan to decrease water usage and increase efficiency in water practices. Water conservation plans will ensure that the City can maintain high-quality parks whilst conserving water, which is important given Australia’s drying climate.

Q2. Does the City have a goal or target to meet when reducing its watering usage?

A2. As part of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives’ (ICLEI) Water Campaign, the City has committed to reducing its water consumption by 10% by 2015.

Q3. Does the City have an unlimited supply of water to use on irrigation?

A3. No, all WA Local Governments are required to comply with their Department of Water (DoW) licenses, which allocates a maximum amount of groundwater that each Local Government can use every year.

Q4. Will the new irrigation regime have an impact on the usage of sporting ovals and how will grassed areas and trees be affected?

A4. There will be minimal effect on the playing surfaces of sporting ovals. However the effect will be more noticeable on the perimeter of ovals and reserves and at medians and verges as the City commences a program of drought tolerating these grasses. The City is monitoring all of its parks to reduce the potential for any decline in parks and reserves and adjustments will be made to ensure that the risk is minimised.

Q5. Does this water-saving scheme impact on other areas of the City (verges etc)?

A5. The City has also developed a Landscape Master Plan 2009-2019 which aims to balance the use of finite water resources against community expectations of public open space. This will be achieved using sustainable landscaping practices and waterwise principles in a number of key areas including the Joondalup City Centre, Verges and Medians, Parks and Community Buildings and Surrounds.

Q6. Is the City using best-practice methods regarding water usage and are we the first Local Government to undertake this type of water-saving program?

A6. The City is one of the first metropolitan Local Governments to install water meters on all of its bores to accurately record water use. The City is implementing a number of strategies to become more waterwise and efficient in order to reduce the demand on finite groundwater resources.

Q7. What areas will be affected by the new irrigation regime and for how long?

A7. The City is committed to reducing its water consumption and this new initiative will operate all-year round and will be applied to all irrigated areas in the City.