Irrigation
Design
Requirements for the design, manufacture and installation of embellishments
Good design
See the following corporate documents to identify relevant project design requirements:
Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme regulates the way land, buildings and structures are used and developed on the Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast Design contains 10 design principles that guide good project planning and design outcomes, that are appropriate for the Sunshine Coast.
The LIM provides further overarching design advice, refer:
- Introduction and Design Principles - e.g. sustainability, CPTED, accessibility
- Preliminaries - environmental management, tree sensitive design and site set up.
Embellishment requirements
- Universal access.
- Comfortable and suitable for the average person.
- See 'Positioning' and 'Equal access' sections for the corresponding LIM category.
- Made from materials that will be durable and can be suitably protected from exterior elements, such as salt spray and UV exposure.
- Robust and sturdy to withstand constant public use and be resistant to vandalism.
- Fixings are to be 316 marine grade stainless steel (unless otherwise stated).
- Tamper proof fixings should be used
- Graffiti protection coatings applied (where applicable)
- Fire retardant (where applicable).
- Warranties should be as listed below.
- Easily repairable or replaceable.
- Sourced locally and use standard fittings.
- Reputable suppliers should be used who keep a supply of stock parts on hand for the life of the product.
- Use sustainable materials, although sustainability needs to be considered over the lifetime of the embellishment.
- Install on paved, concrete or other hard surfaces (where applicable).
- Manufactured to engineering specifications (where applicable).
- See the 'Standards' section for the corresponding LIM category.
Warranty and asset life
Product/embellishment | Warranty (minimum) | Asset life (typical useful life) |
Entire irrigation system | 1 years | not available |
Central control system | 1 years | not available |
Pipeline | 2 years | 25 years 2 |
Power outlets | 2 years | 25 years 2 |
Water bore and pump | 2 years | 25 years 2 |
Water tanks (plastic) | 10 years | 10 years 2 |
Water tanks (concrete) | 15 years | 25 years 2 |
Water taps | 1 year | 25 years 2 |
Source 2: Sunshine Coast Council Asset Management Plan 2017/18-2022/23 – Parks and Gardens (figure based on current data, subject to change).
Irrigation systems
Once the location of irrigation systems has been decided, based on the Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS) and Recreation Parks Plan (RPP) guidance, consider the appropriate embellishment level to suit the selected site.
Overall design considerations:
- Irrigation services should be designed to the site conditions. They should supply effective and efficient irrigation to garden beds, planter boxes, landscape areas, landscape turf areas and sports grounds.
- Irrigation installations are to compatible with Council’s preferred Smart Irrigation Control System.
- Design to suit site conditions.
- Overspray onto paths and seating areas is to be minimised.
- Opportunities for the use of recycled water should be considered.
Electrical services
Where specified, electrical components are to be installed as per manufacturer’s recommendations.
See LIM Electrical for further guidance.
Irrigation services
Irrigation services shall be designed by a licensed (refer QBCC regulation) irrigation designer and shall consider the following:
- Where a new connection into mains supply is required, application is to be made to Unitywater via their website and council plumbing department.
- Installation of irrigation system, including components and materials, shall be as per manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Always check Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) for underground cables before digging, and be aware of overhead wires when carrying, moving or operating tall metal objects and machinery. See Energex brochure Look up and Live for further guidance.
- In addition to DBYD, the use of a cable/pipe locator to detect and locate buried services should be considered, particularly in highly congested areas.
Irrigation design, manufacture and installation
The design, manufacture and installation of irrigation systems and components, is to comply with the relevant Australian Standards or best practice guidance where no standard exists.
- Products designed for sub-surface irrigation use shall be suitable for buried applications.
- Products designed for electrical connections must be housed in a waterproof enclosure.
- A backflow prevention device is required between the mains supply and an irrigation system, to prevent potential contamination of the mains supply.
- Water meter pipe and backflow is to be installed by a licensed plumber.
This component is currently in development