Two of Elsternwick Park’s sportsgrounds have just been hooked up to the cheapest, greenest sustainable water supply available – stormwater.

Bayside City Council has teamed up with the Victorian Amateur Football League (VAFA) and the Elsternwick Cricket Club to connect the irrigation systems at the two ovals to a dam at the neighbouring Elsternwick Golf Course.

Bayside Mayor Cr James Long said the stormwater will extend the City’s capacity to irrigate sportsgrounds and parks, without using any extra water from conventional sources.

“The drought has made life difficult for outdoor sporting clubs everywhere, and connection to this sustainable water source gives the teams that play at Elsternwick a little more security,” Cr Long said.

“It also frees the water they were using to be directed to other thirsty parks and grounds,” he added.

“Cricketers, footballers and even people who just enjoy a walk in a park or reserve will benefit from this comparatively inexpensive project.”

Bayside City Council contributed $15,000 to the project, the Victorian Amateur Football Association provided $4,454 and Elsternwick Cricket Club added $4,000 with assistance through a grant from Cricket Victoria.

The project will improve the grounds and the turf cricket facilities to better meet the needs of cricket and football.