Work began in December last year, with mains construction work estimated to take around 12 months in total. Alongside this, detailed design of irrigation layouts is being completed, with the tender for irrigation to be advertised in the second half of 2021.

"The ability to keep our kids and adults playing sports during times of drought is going to be one of the key bonuses of this project," Mayor Bob Kirk said.

"Although we secured our water supply with construction of the Highland Source Pipeline a decade ago, we will continue to face droughts and low water supply issues in future. The ability to use highly treated effluent water to keep our playing fields and parks in good condition is extremely exciting for Goulburn. It's a project that I hope will be used as an example of best practice in water conservation and use by other Cities and Council's in future."

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said creating and supporting local jobs was particularly important as the economy recovers from the pandemic.

"Construction of the water re-use scheme is creating more local jobs in Goulburn. The project contractor Killard Infrastructure has an office in town, and they are employing local workers and contractors to complete the project," he said.

The $8.8 million project will greatly improve parks, gardens and sporting fields around Goulburn.

Council is contributing $4.4m, while $4.4m was also gained through a successful grant application to the Federal Government Building Better Regions Fund.

Key locations to be serviced by the Goulburn water reuse scheme include Carr Confoy Sporting Fields, Cookbundoon Sporting Fields, Hudson Park, Goulburn Recreation Area, Goulburn Golf Club, Victoria Park and Eastgrove South Sporting Fields.

Clubs and sports to benefit from the project include Southern Tablelands Football Association (soccer), Goulburn Hockey, Little Athletics, Goulburn Swans AFL, harness racing and greyhound clubs, Goulburn Touch Football, cricket, Goulburn Rugby Union, netball and soccer.

Recreational users of Victoria Park will also enjoy the greener spaces.

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