By Jim Mynard
BERWICK Football Club president Peter Jensen wants a water saving and reticulation system designed that would take Edwin Flack Reserve off mains water.
He said investigation was needed into sinking a bore and/or building a large dam on Parks Victoria land on the corner of Manuka and Inglis roads, opposite Edwin Flack Reserve.
Mr Jensen spoke out when his club was faced with having its ground closed for winter games because of the drought.
“The area across fromManuka Road is a natural water course and despite the drought is still wet.
“We could build a dam to supply us with enough water to service Edwin Flack Reserve.
“It would collect run off from the bowls club, sports grounds and Berwick Secondary College areas,” he said.
“The dam would serve other sports, including cricket and athletics and we could save millions of litres of potable water.”
Mr Jensen said the football ground was due to be closed for another 80 days until round seven of Casey Cardinia Football League home and away competition.
“Unless we get substantial autumn rain, that’s how it will be,” Mr Jensen said.
“We are pumping three tankers of water a week on to the playing ground and I think it may be okay because of the winter grasses the council planted, but we don’t know for sure.
“We are worried that there may be no water during May because of restrictions on mains water,” he said.
However, Mr Jensen has taken a longrange view of irrigation for Edwin Flack Reserve.
He said the reserve had been using far too much drinking water and that alternatives were available.
“Even if this drought breaks, we need to stop doing that.”
Mr Jensen said the worst case scenario for the Berwick Football Club was that it would have to transfer two games, but the problem was training.
He commended the City of Casey and the Casey Cardinia Football League for their support and cooperation.
“We can’t train at Edwin Flack and we expect to be using Casey Fields for some training.
“Things are crook, but if we get good autumn rain we’ll be okay.”
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland said Mr Jensen’s idea was good and he would support discussions between the council and Parks Victoria to explore options.
“The possibility exists to establish a joint venture between the council and Parks Victoria to build a wildlife and water catchment.
“We would need to discuss costs and see if this could be achieved in consultation with all parties,” he said.
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