A smarter approach to urban water conservation (HG07029)

This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

The ultimate purpose of the project was to work with willing jurisdictions to develop technically sound urban water conservation programs that support a vibrant urban lifestyle horticulture sector and peri-urban horticulture, including nursery, turf, landscape, irrigation, and market garden fruit and farm vegetables.

The project involved:

• Developing a well considered IAL position on permanent outdoor water conservation measures that will drive increased outdoor urban water use efficiency and therefore improve confidence in the community and the lifestyle horticultural sector for continued access to urban water sources
• Assessing current State frameworks for outdoor water conservation and prioritising willing State jurisdictions to examine and/or implement alternatives to traditional water restrictions
• Undertaking opportunistic work with state jurisdictions in urban and peri-urban locations where there was benefit to the lifestyle horticultural sector such as nursery and turf industries or the wider horticultural industry such as peri-urban fruit and vegetable farms
• Working at a national level in relation to urban water reform and funding programs, to promote IAL’s position on permanent outdoor water conservation measures and to influence macro policies to ultimately support access to urban water for the urban and peri-urban based horticultural industries.