City of Nedlands plans for sustainable parks amid groundwater reductions

The City of Nedlands is planning for the future of its parks and open spaces following the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s announcement that groundwater use will be reduced by 10 per cent by 2028.

In response, the City is adopting a forward‑looking approach to ensure parks remain green, welcoming and high quality, while using water more efficiently and responsibly.

To guide this work, the City is implementing Enviroscape Planning, a practical and integrated framework that supports sustainable park planning and management. The approach brings together long‑term strategic planning, day‑to‑day park operations and community input to ensure public open spaces continue to meet community needs under changing environmental conditions.

Enviroscape Planning focuses on four key areas:

• Cultural vibrancy — creating parks that are accessible, functional and welcoming for the community
• Economic responsibility — managing parks cost‑effectively over their full lifecycle
• Environmental care — improving water efficiency, protecting groundwater and increasing tree canopy
• Social inclusion — supporting community connection, participation and wellbeing

Through Enviroscape Plans, the City will prioritise smarter water use through hydro‑zoning and eco‑zoning, improve management of the full water cycle, and design park spaces that balance usability, comfort and environmental protection. The approach also helps prepare parklands for future challenges such as climate change and supports targeted investment where irrigation upgrades are needed most.