Campus retrofits present a familiar challenge for designers. Systems often expand over decades, leaving aging infrastructure, incomplete documentation, and growing pressure to improve water efficiency. 

The University of Melbourne faced this exact situation. Its historic landscape relied on a fragmented irrigation network that no longer met modern performance standards.

Over time, independent controllers, old field wiring, and inconsistent schedules created inefficiencies across the system. The issue was not simply water use. It was the overall design. Without central control, flow monitoring, or weather-based scheduling, the grounds team had limited visibility across more than 1,000 zones.

The renovation centered on unification and data-driven control. Hydrawise® Software became the backbone of the redesigned system, enabling centralized management, weather-based adjustments, and remote diagnostics. Hunter HCC and Pro-HC Controllers were installed across 81 locations, replacing scattered control points into a single, scalable platform.

Flow monitoring and wireless connectivity also played an important role. Hunter HC Flow Meter and Wireless Valve Link technology expanded system capabilities and minimized trenching and surface disruption. This approach protected existing hardscapes and heritage planting areas while improving hydraulic oversight and leak detection.

The result was more than a modern irrigation system. It was a smarter management framework. With flow data, alerts, and centralized programming, the team can now monitor performance and respond quickly when issues arise.  

At the University of Melbourne, Hunter technology did more than replace controllers. It provided the infrastructure needed for long-term water efficiency, clearer system oversight, and scalable campus-wide management — creating a benchmark for thoughtful irrigation renovation in complex institutional environments.