Construction of an 800,000 litre water storage system - which will be housed underneath the famed Windy Hill oval surface - officially began today.

 

The system (called a ‘StormTech’ water storage system) will capture 5-8 million litres of water each year from existing roof structures, the oval and an approved bore into massive underground cylinders for use around the club.

 

Construction will take just four weeks to complete.

 

The storage system is part of a joint $3 million partnership between Essendon and the Federal Government.
 
Essendon is the first of at least 10 selected sites to begin construction work under a $15 million national ‘Green Precincts Fund’.

 

“The Essendon Football club and the Federal Government are committed to reducing the impact this club has on the environment,” Managing director, Peter Jackson said.

 

“We are proud to be the first of the Green Precinct demonstration sites to be funded and begin work and we believe Essendon will set a strong example to the community about the need to use less water.

 

“Essendon is unique in that our training facility, Windy Hill oval, is still a community facility. It is used by parents wanting to have a kick with their kids and organisations, including schools and other sporting groups, so this environmental water project will be supporting a popular local asset.

 

“Many great sporting moments have taken place on top of the Windy Hill surface and it is historic that an important community project is now happening underneath.”

 

Federal Government Ministers Peter Garrett and Lindsay Tanner joined Mr Jackson and Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd today for the start of work.
 
Watch the Media conference from this event here!

 

“Over the next two-three years we will undertake other large and small projects to help the club halve its reliance on potable water and significantly reduce green house gas emissions,” Mr Jackson said.

 

“We recently completed an environmental audit of Windy Hill and now have a firm plan for the areas that need improvement – our goal is to be as environmentally friendly as this club can be.

 

“As a high profile AFL club, we have an opportunity to better educate our players, staff and fans about the importance of the environment and the ways they can help day-to-day.”