Sprinkler Exemptions

During the summer months water demand often exceeds what we can take from our rivers or groundwater. To ensure summer water use remains within the limits, the Council limits water use to handheld hoses anytime. This is enough to wash down your boat, keep the outside of your house clean and irrigate your garden.

If you are planning to plant a lawn, the Council recommends waiting until autumn or early spring. This will allow the lawn to establish a healthy root base and acclimatise to the local conditions.

The council acknowleges that houses are built in the summer months and establishing a lawn is necessary. If you need to establish a lawn, click here to download the Sprinkler Exemption form. It will take one working week to process your application.

Before applying, note the following points, which will be considered in your application:

• What other water sources did you consider? Did you investigate using a bore or rainwater?
• How much topsoil will be used to support the lawn? A healthy lawn needs at least 100mm of topsoil.
• Have you applied a wetting agent over your new lawn area? A wetting agent helps the soil soak up water and retain it. Using a wetting agent is highly recommended for lawns laid on sandy soils.
• How will you irrigate your lawn and is it efficient?

Ideally, the council is looking for:

a. The choice of sprinkler that only wets the lawn area, without wasting any water. Water hitting the house or running into the gutter is of no use to anyone.

b. Irrigation in the cool morning or late afternoon. Irrigating in the heat will waste water through evaporation.

c. The use of a water clock, as it will help make sure you use water efficiently.

d. An accurate estimate of water being used.

The exemption is to establish a lawn only, so consider how you will irrigate once the exemption has expired.