Title: Community awareness of the use of alternative water sources for irrigation of golf courses: a case study of a selected site within the Sydney metropolitan area

Authors: Melanie Schwecke, Bruce Simmons, Basant Maheshwari, Gavin Ramsay

Addresses: School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney, P.O. Box 1127, Newport Beach, Sydney NSW 2106, Australia. ' School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia. ' School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia. ' School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia

Abstract: The current water supply crisis has led to the development and utilisation of alternative water supply systems for irrigating urban playing fields. There is, however, little understanding of the social consequences of and feasibility for using alternative supplies for irrigation. In this study, community awareness of alternative water supplies was examined through community surveys of residents surrounding three golf courses, namely Manly, Gordon and Killara within Sydney. The results of these surveys provide understanding of the residents| reactions towards the use of alternative water sources as well as how the community might react to the transition from potable water to alternative supplies for irrigation. A key finding from the study was that the community are accepting alternative water sources (94%) for the irrigation of golf courses in urban landscapes. Through an understanding of community, attitudes and acceptance towards alternative water use for irrigation, policy makers can develop plans and strategies that are accepted and can be implemented by local government authorities with minimal objection from the community.

Keywords: alternative water use; community acceptance; golf courses; systems analysis; irrigation; community awareness; Australia; water supply; urban playing fields; social consequences; residents reactions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMDM.2009.024991

International Journal of Management and Decision Making, 2009 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.247 - 257

Published online: 06 May 2009 *

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