Greater Western Water’s stormwater project benefits Melbourne Ballpark

The grass is greener at Melbourne Ballpark with Greater Western Water’s water-saving stormwater project

Up to 10 million litres of drinking water will be saved each year with an innovative stormwater harvesting project at Melbourne Ballpark, home to the State Baseball Softball Centre.

The $328,000 project was led by Greater Western Water with support from Melbourne Water, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Sport and Recreation Victoria, Hobsons Bay City Council and Melbourne Ballpark.

By providing the ballpark access to a reliable supply of treated stormwater, the project allows them to keep their playing fields green all year round. The natural grass surface is important for sports players as it creates a cooler and softer playing environment than synthetic grasses. The project will also save the ballpark up to $20,000 each year which they can divert into developing their sports programs.

Greater Western Water Managing Director, Maree Lang, said the initiative demonstrated how the water industry collaborates with like-minded partners to deliver local liveability outcomes.

“This is an example of Greater Western Water’s investment towards making communities more climate-resilient. With the support of our partners, we’ve delivered a project that highlights the benefits of integrated water management,” she said.

The project forms part of the Laverton Stormwater Harvesting Scheme, a wetlands area near the ballpark that also supplies water to neighbouring AB Shaw Reserve. You can read more about that here.

Pictured above from left to right:  Mr Peter Hemphill, Mayor Hobsons Bay City Council, The Hon. Jill Hennessy, Member for Altona, Tom Stephanou, Project Manager Greater Western Water, George Callil, Player Melbourne Aces, Mathew Hilakari, Candidate for Point Cook, Martin Hirons, Chair Melbourne Ballpark Committee of Management, Maree Lang, Managing Director Greater Western Water, Julie Bright, Manager Flood Preparedness & Service Performance Melbourne Water, Justin Huber, General Manager Melbourne Aces.