A $607,000 initiative to irrigate a Warragul sports precinct has been given the green light.

Baw Baw Shire Council has secured a major funding boost to allow the region’s first large-scale stormwater harvesting project designed to irrigate the two ovals at Western Park.

Council successfully secured a $425,000 grant through the state government’s Integrated Water Management Co-Investment Fund. Council will contribute $172,000 towards the project and an additional $10,000 will be contributed by Gippsland Water.

The project will deliver the infrastructure required to utilise additional water collected in the Tarwin St wetland generated from surrounding residential developments.

Water will be treated to a safe standard then used to irrigate the two sporting ovals at Western Park.

Mayor Danny Goss said the project has the potential to save 20 million litres of water, which can be returned to the potable water supply for Warragul and Drouin.

In addition to benefiting the security of our water systems, he said utilising an alternative and cheaper source of water would also result in ongoing financial savings for Baw Baw Shire ratepayers.

“We’re pleased to partner with the Victorian Government and Gippsland Water to deliver this innovative and sustainable stormwater harvesting system. 

“Not only will the project save water and help secure our local water supply, it will also save ratepayer funds in the long run,” he said.

This project will be delivered by Baw Baw Shire with support of the Gippsland Integrated Water Management Forum, Gippsland Water and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

The project is scheduled to be completed by July 2021.

The Western Park stormwater for irrigation project is the first major project of Baw Baw Shire Council’s Integrated Water Management Plan, adopted in December 2019.