Pay-to-play Game Plan Aims To Tackle Drought

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday May 8, 2007

By FRANCES THOMPSON Upper Hunter Reporter

SPORTS groups in Singleton will be expected to help pay to irrigate the town's drought-affected playing fields.

Singleton Shire Council decided last night to begin planning to install irrigation progressively to keep the fields open and limit the public risk from playing on drought-hardened surfaces.

A report to the council last night said the condition of some of the fields around town was so poor in February that clubs that usually played during winter considered stopping fixtures because competitors might be hurt.

Ovals at Cook, Rose Point, Howe Park and Allan Bull Reserve were among those that needed irrigation most.

Estimated installation costs for the three came to $300,000.

The report said user groups should pay 25 per cent of costs with the same from the council and the rest from grants.

Singleton has received rain recently but not enough to ease the poor conditions and weeds have been proliferating.

The town is due to move to level four water restrictions from June 4.

For householders that means fixed sprinklers will be banned and hand-held hoses may be used for 60 minutes a day, among other requirements.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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