Time to talk about water

With drought across NSW, an early start to the bushfire season and increasing pressures on our waterways and water supplies, it’s a good time to talk about water. So it’s timely that Council is inviting community input on a new draft water plan, via workshops on October 30 and 31 in Lawson, Katoomba and Springwood.

The workshops are a joint project between Council, WaterNSW and the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. They will look at:

The draft Water Sensitive Blue Mountains Strategic Plan outlines how Council will manage waterways and water resources into the future. It identifies how we can become more water efficient, encourage best-practice stormwater management and increase public awareness of water issues.

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “Our local waterways are some of the most beautiful and iconic in Australia. They feed into vital water supplies, sustain a unique array of plants and animals, and are popular with locals and visitors alike.

“However, pressures such as urban development, stormwater runoff and climate change are taking their toll. In 2017, water monitoring by council showed that 39% of local waterways are in poor to fair health.”  

“Water and how we manage it is critical to our future. It’s a complex issue that needs government, community and business working together to come up with creative solutions. I encourage the community to join a workshop and be part of the conversation,” said the Mayor.

The workshops will be held on Tuesday 30 October (7pm – 9pm) in Lawson, Wednesday 31 October (9.30am – 12.30pm) in Katoomba and Wednesday 31 October (7pm – 9pm) in Springwood. Bookings are essential. For more details and bookings go to watersensitivecityworkshops.eventbrite.com.au or phone Council on 4780 5000.

View the draft water sensitive plan online at:  bluemountainshaveyoursay.com.au/water-sensitive-strategic-plan

Photo: The decisions we make about water now will have a big impact on our future.