Transitioning to warm season grass
Melbourne’s current water restrictions prohibit the watering of grassed areas with drinking water.
But as Melbourne’s sportsgrounds have proven, not all grasses are alike, with warm season grasses such as Couch, Buffalo and Kikuyu well suited to Melbourne’s harsh summer weather – surviving and often thriving, on sporadic summer rainfall.
In the long term, warm season grass uses an average of 70% less water than common ‘cool’ season grasses in a residential garden. But like many plants, it needs more water as it establishes its root system.
As Melbourne is progressively provided with greater water security from the government’s water projects, Melbourne’s water retailers are keen to lock in our water efficient ways. Helping households to transition to drought-tolerant, warm season grass is one of the key ways that we can ensure that we’ll continue to use water in a efficient and sustainable way, both now and well into the future.
This exemption is available to City West Water, South East Water, Western Water and Yarra Valley Water customers only.
