Upcycling has earned the City of Cockburn the Irrigation Australia Water Efficiency Management Award for 2024.
The City’s solution-focused Environment, Parks and Streetscapes team saved precious water supplies and thousands of dollars, while also improving turf conditions at local reserves, by repurposing irrigation electrical cabinets.
Acting Manager of Environment, Parks and Streetscapes Alison Waters said electrical cabinets were transformed to house 19-litre injection tanks that could dose up to 19 hectares with wetting agents, kelp products and other beneficial organisms.
“In our drying climate, innovations such as these have many benefits,” Ms Waters said.
“Injection saves groundwater, allowing water to penetrate through the soil profile where it stays for longer. We track the data via soil moisture sensors which also helps refine irrigation schedules to the correct rate for each area of turf.
“Dosing also helps combat pests like nematodes by creating a heathier turf environment.
“This saves the City about $6,000 per cabinet with installations at 14 locations so far.”
City of Cockburn Deputy Mayor Chontelle Stone said the knowledge, innovation and dedication of City staff could not be underestimated when searching for smart inhouse solutions.
“These solutions are timely as our City prepares for the impending groundwater licence reduction set by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in 2027,” Deputy Mayor Stone said.
“The City of Cockburn has been a Gold Waterwise Council for the past decade and this award again demonstrates our commitment to sustainable water management.”
The awards were announced at the 9th Asian Regional Irrigation and Drainage Conference and Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition in Sydney earlier this week.
Caption: City of Cockburn Acting Irrigation Supervisor Walter Gismondi with an irrigation cabinet at Anning Park, South Lake.