Exemption could save bowling clubs

Bowling clubs hit hard by the Far North-wide sprinkler ban can now apply for exemptions if hand watering is not possible. Photo / Peter Jackson

Bowling clubs can now apply to the Far North District Council for exemptions to a district-wide sprinkler ban to save their parched greens from dying.

If exemptions are granted, however, they will come with strict conditions. Other groups, such as sports clubs with fields that need watering, can also apply.

Last week the president of Far North Bowls, Dion Davis, said some small clubs, such as Hokianga and Kaitaia Combined, risked closing down because they could not afford to replace their greens if the grass died in the dry conditions.

Bigger clubs, which installed tanks or bores after previous droughts, would get through.

Despite rain over the weekend, the situation has hardly improved.

With little rain since mid-November the Far North District Council (FNDC) brought in level two water restrictions on January 16, which ban the use of sprinklers, unattended garden hoses and automatic irrigation devices.

The ban applies to all properties connected to town water supplies in Kaitaia, Kerikeri-Waipapa, Waitangi-Paihia-Opua, Russell, Kawakawa-Moerewa, Kaikohe-Ngawha and Okaihau.

A sprinkler ban has been in place in Rawene-Omanaia and Opononi-Omapere since December 1.

Council infrastructure manager Jacqui Robson said the restrictions were designed to encourage water conservation.

The key word was "unattended".

There was nothing to stop bowling and other clubs watering greens and fields by bucket or a hand-held hose. The same applied to home gardeners.

If watering by hand was not possible clubs could apply for an exemption to the sprinkler ban but they would have to show they had been adversely affected by the restrictions and alternative water sources were not available.

Any exemptions would come with conditions such as limiting sprinklers to night-time use when temperatures were low. Users would have to supply weekly water meter readings and re-apply for exemptions if restrictions were increased.

If restrictions had to be raised to level three, even hand-held hose use would be banned.

Ms Robson said if the dry weather continued level three restrictions could be needed within a month. The penalty for breaching the ban is a fine of up to $20,000.

Meanwhile, community group Focus Paihia has drawn up a roster of volunteers to water the Village Green and Horotutu Park by hand.

Much of the grass died after sprinkler use was halted.

- Go to www.fndc.govt.nz, any council service centre or call 0800 920 029 to ask for an exemption. Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.