Hunter Water and NSW EPA release best practice guidelines for managing green open spaces Port POPUP - DAupdate Port Stephens Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 25, 2023 Our region’s turf sporting fields are under increasing pressure from growing population, sports participation, budget constraints, and a changing climate. HUNTER WATER, in collaboration with the NSW Environment Protection Agency, has commissioned a series of Best Practice Guidelines to provide additional support for developing and maintaining green open spaces in the Lower Hunter. Our region’s turf sporting fields are under increasing pressure from growing population, sports participation, budget constraints, and a changing climate. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au In response to these pressures, Best Practice Guidelines have been created to help plan, design, construct and manage sporting fields and open space areas. Hunter Water Group Manager Business Customers, Ardie Morris, anticipates the Best Practice Guidelines will be a useful document to help maintain recreational spaces for our community. “The importance of green open spaces to local communities was evident during the 2019-20 drought and subsequent COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Morris said. “The guidelines provide local community groups, organisations and councils with the tools to maintain these spaces.” The Best Practice Guidelines are divided into seven books that use an evidence-based approach on specific topics in response to real world examples. Each book is a framework that defines best practice, along with advice on soils and turf, drainage, irrigation, planning and maintenance. “The Lower Hunter Water Security Plan highlighted the need to think more broadly about how our region uses water more effectively. “These guidelines are part of a larger portfolio of work that will ensure a resilient and secure water future for our region. “Water is our most precious resource, and we can all play our part to make the most of what we’ve got,” Mr Morris said. While the guidelines have focussed on public sporting fields, they can be used by anyone involved in planning, designing, building or maintaining turf surfaces, such as school ovals or golf courses. To learn more as well as read and download the guidelines, visit https://www.hunterwater.com.au/home-and-business/information-for-business/best-practice-guidelines
