Two sprinklers spray water across a grass oval in front of a sports pavilion.

Smarter Irrigation Saving Water in Open Spaces (Council News Article July 2026)

Two sprinklers spray water across a grass oval in front of a sports pavilion.

Taking our irrigation systems online is saving money and water across Greater Dandenong’s parks and reserves. 

Using web-based programming our upgraded irrigation controllers help to reduce water wastage and create a more sustainable city. 

The system can automatically adjust to real time weather conditions. Rather than relying on fixed timers, the system responds to rainfall, temperature and seasonal changes, ensuring our parks and reserves receive only the water they need. This can save 30% more water than traditional systems. 

With more than 30 sports reserves connected to the system, remotely cancelling a single irrigation cycle when it is raining can save up to $15,000 each time. 

The upgraded controllers also include sensors and flow monitoring technology that help us detect leaks early. If the system identifies unusual water flow or a fault, it sends an alert so we can respond quickly. 

The technology improves how we manage our parks day-to-day, with remote access allowing staff to monitor and adjust irrigation in real time. This reduces manual work and supports a faster, more proactive approach to maintenance. 

This upgrade shows how investing in smarter infrastructure can deliver better outcomes for the community. It helps keep our parks and sporting fields high quality, sustainable, drought resilient and ready for the future.