Water Restriction - Stage 3A
Media Report - Friday, March 23, 2007

RVBA executive Office Peter Hanlon reported that the declaration of a new restriction level, 3A, would not change the current restrictions on bowling greens.

"It was announced today that Melbourne would move to Stage 3A Water Restrictions as of 1 April 2007.", Peter said.

"I have been advised by City West Water (the main information people) that this has no effect on bowls clubs.

That is, all metro clubs stay on Stage 3 as is currently the case.

In fact, the impact on sport is minimal as the main changes under 3A apply to further restricting residential watering."

 

MEMO

Date : 5 January 2007
From :         Peter Hanlon

To : ALL RVBA METROPOLITAN CLUB SECRETARIES

Re: Stage 3 Water Restrictions UPDATE as at 5 January 2007

As a consequence of negotiations between RVBA and metropolitan water retailers, the following advice is provided to metropolitan Bowls Clubs in relation to Stage 3 Water Restrictions. If Clubs decide to seek use Option 2, they must take the defined actions without delay .

Two Options are provided for Clubs - refer to attached Exempt Playing Surfaces information sheet.

•  Option 1:        NO APPLICATION REQUIRED:

Conform to the Drought Response Plan for Stage 3

(example taken from South East Water website)

1) An exempt playing surface must not be watered except by : (a) a manual dripper watering system which operates only as required within the hours of 6.00am and 10.00am and 8.00 pm and midnight on: •  (i) either or both of Sunday and Wednesday for a property with an odd street number; or •  (ii) either or both of Saturday and Tuesday for a property with an even street number or a property without a street number. (Note: On Monday, Thursday and Friday, no watering is permitted.) ;

or (b) an automatic watering system which operates only as required within the hours of midnight and 8.00am on •  (i) either or both of Sunday and Wednesday for a property with an odd street number; or •  (ii) either or both of Saturday and Tuesday for a property with an even street number or a property without a street number. (Note: On Monday, Thursday and Friday, no watering is permitted.)

(3) An exempt playing surface must not be watered except by a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle*, or a watering can or bucket filled either by a hand- held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or directly from a tap and then only as required within the hours of 6.00am and 10.00am on: •  (i) either or both of Sunday and Wednesday, for a property with an odd street number or •  (ii) either or both of Saturday and Tuesday, for a property with an even street number or a property without a street number.             (Note: On Monday, Thursday and Friday no watering is permitted.)

*            ( Note: exemption for use of "fish mouth" nozzle granted 16 November 2006)

(4) Despite items (1)-(3), a sportsground may be watered in accordance with a Water Conservation Plan, prepared by the operator and approved by South East Water , for the purpose of Stage 3 restrictions.

•  Option 2 specific to Bowling Greens:   

APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY ALL CLUBS SEEKING TO OPERATE UNDER OPTION 2 (SEE NOTE BELOW)

• i. Watering systems and hand-watering are permitted for ALL CLUBS on Sunday and Wednesday from 6.00 am until 8.00 am only

• ii. Hand watering is permitted for ALL CLUBS on Monday and Friday from 6.00 am until 8.00 am only

•  ALL CLUBS opting for Option 2 are required to submit an Exempt Playing Surfaces Water Conservation Plan Application (attached) to their relevant Water Authority by 31 January 2007, but are advised to do so immediately .

IMPORTANT NOTE RE OPTION 2:

Clubs with more than one grass green when submitting their Application for Option 2 may seek variations to Sunday and Wednesday watering hours under Option 2 (i) up to a maximum of 6 hours watering from midnight to 6.00 am.

To do so, Clubs must attach to the Exempt Playing Surfaces Water Conservation Plan Application (download form) a statement including:

•  Number and size of greens to be watered;

•  Demonstrated water savings in place by the Club, for instance:

•  Dual flush toilets

•  Efficient water sprinkler system (describe)

•  Water storage/catchment/recycling

•  Other

•  Commentary on any factors supporting the requested variations to permitted watering hours.

Please follow your local water authority website for more detailed information.

RVBA will post to Clubs and via websites the latest information once provided to us.

Websites:

South East Water: www.southeastwater.com

Yarra Valley Water: http://www.yvw.com.au/yvw/Home

Western Water: http://www.westernwater.vic.gov.au

City West Water: http://www.citywestwater.com.au

Peter Hanlon

Executive Officer, 5 January 2007