Warm season grass 28 day exemption
From 1 September 2010 households and businesses can apply for a one-off, 28 day exemption from water restrictions to enable new warm season lawns to be established.
Warm season grass uses a lot less water than other grass. Couch, Buffalo and Kikuyu thrive throughout spring and summer on little rainfall – making them well suited to Melbourne’s changing climate. For the average Melbourne backyard, water use is likely to be reduced by 70 per cent.
The exemption will apply for installing pre-grown turf and for sowing grass seeds, but is limited to one exemption per property per year.
Melbourne households can obtain the grass exemption between September and March by:
- visiting the warm season grass 28 day exemption website
- visiting their local water authority’s website
- calling their local water authority directly.
The simple online application process provides all conditions for the exemption, installation tips and an exemption certificate to display outside properties.
After the 28 day exemption, households will have to adhere to water restrictions which prohibit lawn watering; however there are no restrictions on captured rainwater or greywater.