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Bundoora Park - on par for water savingsBundoora Park

The City of Darebin's Bundoora Park stormwater project has combined water efficiency measures with alternative water sources to reduce demand on potable water by almost 80 million litres per year - a 96% saving.
 

About Bundoora Park
 

Bundoora Park is a 180 ha park located on Plenty Road Bundoora. It is visited by about 750,000 people annually with 54,000 being golfers. It is  one of the most popular parks in northern Melbourne including an 18 hole public golf course, the Coopers Settlement containing a children's farm, visitors centre, café,  fauna reserve and heritage village. There are large areas of open space with picnic areas and play grounds.


Water Use Profile
 

The most significant water use is irrigation of the golf course. Water is also used for the facilities centre and children’s farm. Over the last 5 years the golf course playing surface had deteriorated due to lack of water and as a result player numbers were decreasing due to the poor playing surface condition.


Water Conservation Program
 

A large housing development nearby at Mt Cooper provided both a problem and solution.

  • The Problem - the Urban Land Authority was looking at the disposal of storm water and initially approached council about going through the Park,    initially getting a negative response.
  • The Solution – with the emerging drought and restrictions this problem was seen as an opportunity and the stormwater harvesting project was initiated. When coupled with water efficiency measures such as the conversion of fairways to warm season grass this project has seen a 96% decrease in potable water use.

 

The Process - Partnerships
 

The partners involved in this project includedBundoora Park Stormwater project construction

  • Darebin City Council -  the enlargement of Fauna Park dam from 8 to 49 million litres, conversion of 18 fairways to warm season grass
  • Melbourne Water – water rights/ planning permits
  • Urban Land Authority - enlarged the wetlands lake, installed a Gross Pollutant Trap, sediment capture and bio-retention dams to improve water quality
  • DSE – Stormwater and Urban Water Conservation Fund $193,000
  • Golf course users groups and local community

 

Benefits

  • 96% Water saving – reduction from 83Ml to 3Ml/ year
  • $132,000 per year cost saving.
  • Flood mitigation 
  • Community value
  • Wildlife habitat
  • Finalist National Save Water Awards 2010
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View the presentation slides below:

Bundoora park on par for water saving