Gardens and lawns
Under new, simplified Stage 1 water restrictions, you can now water your garden and lawn.
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Gardens and lawns can be hand watered as needed with a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or watering can at any time, on any day.
Gardens and lawns can be watered using a watering system (manual, automatic, spray or dripper) only between the hours of 6 am – 10 am and 6 pm -10 pm on alternate days (depending on your street number).
When watering by hand, we still recommend practicing water wise habits and to avoid watering during the heat of the day when water can be lost to evaporation. |
Public Gardens
Public gardens, commercial gardens, lawns and playing surfaces can also be watered with a watering system between 6 am – 10 am and 6 pm – 10 pm; or in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan*.
*Water Use Plans replace what were previously called Water Conservation Plans.
Under Stage 1, you cannot hose down driveways, paths, concrete, timber decking and other paved areas, windows and building facades except in the case of an accident, fire, health hazard or other specified circumstances.
Hoses cannot be used to wash windows and exterior surfaces.
Fountains and water features can operate as long as they recirculate the water.
Frequently asked questions
Under Stage 1 restrictions, what areas of my garden can I water?
You can water lawns as well as planted areas including: ornamental gardens; plants on slopes and flat ground; and vegetable gardens, on your watering day.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, can I water my lawn?
Yes, under Stage 1, residents and businesses can now water their lawns with drinking water using a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time, on any day.
When using a watering system, lawns may only be watered between the hours of 6 am – 10 am and 6 pm – 10 pm on alternate days.
Alternate days mean people may use their watering systems on an odds and evens, date-based approach:
Even and no-numbered properties may water on even dates e.g. 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.
Odd numbered properties may water on odd dates e.g. 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.
- All properties may water on the 31st.
Exemptions
Do I need an exemption to water in a new garden or lawn?
With the flexibility of Stage 1, you shouldn’t need one, as there is considerable flexibility.
You can hand water with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time on any day as well as use watering systems every other day.
Note: We suggest that you seriously consider installing a warm season grass variety versus European, water intensive varieties. On application, an automatic 28-day approval is available to establish warm season grass.
New warm season grass lawns
Watering systems may be used to water new warm season grass lawns as required to suit weather conditions for up to the first 28 days after installation. We advise you visit www.warmseasongrass.com.au and follow the prompts to obtain an automatic approval certificate. You can print and display this certificate which indicates you have a 28-day exemption to water in your new warm season grass outside of the allowed watering times.
This certificate simply helps make people aware that you have installed warm season grass and indicates you are not breaching Permanent Water Rules.