About Monkey Baa
Stormwater Harvesting – Reuse Projects
The recent drought and concerns about climate change have all highlighted the need to manage our water resources more sustainably. Expanding the use of stormwater runoff to add to our water supply and reduce water pollution are important objectives for the three Illawarra councils. Stormwater is now recognised as a valuable resource, rather than a nuisance to be disposed of quickly, especially in large urban centres.
Over recent years, stormwater harvesting and reuse have emerged as a new field of sustainable water management. Harvesting and reusing stormwater offer both a potential alternative water supply for non-drinking uses and a means to further reduce stormwater pollution in our waterways.
Stormwater harvesting complements other approaches to sustainable urban water management, including rainwater tanks, greywater systems, effluent reuse and demand management.
As part of the Sustainable Illawarra Project each Council (Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama) is committed to piloting a stormwater harvesting, reuse and irrigation project at a sporting complex/ public reserve within each Council area with the view to applying the same systems in all Council fields.
The chosen sites are as follows:
Wollongong City Council – Thomas Dalton Park was chosen because:
- The State Football Competition is held at the park.
- The park currently has poor ground quality
- The park is a mixed use facility, so sports such as touch football, softball, AFL, cricket and soccer will benefit from the project.
- Council’s vision for this park is to create a first class sporting facility for our city.
Shellharbour City Council – Croom Regional Sporting Complex was chosen because:
- It is a large regional sporting complex with a high concentration of fields needing irrigation due to poor ground quality.
- This project is a continuation of sustainability projects already undertaken at this complex.
- There is a significant catchment area for stormwater harvesting.
- The complex is heavily used by the sporting associations in the region including rugby, hockey, soccer, cricket which will all benefit from this project.
Kiama Council – Blacks Beach/ Hindmarsh Park was chosen because:
- This project is a continuation of sustainability projects already undertaken at this complex
- Both Blacks Beach and Hindmarsh Park are popular spots for residents and tourists all year round.
- The heavy usage of these parks has led to poor ground quality.
What we hope to achieve:
- Capture stormwater/urban runoff
- Reduce pollution of receiving waters
- Reuse stormwater runoff for irrigation
- Eliminate potable water demand at each site
- Reduce maintenance requirements at the site.
In the long term Council hopes to prepare a sustainability plan which will also address energy and water at each of the chosen sites.
Further updates on the progress of these projects will be given as they develop.