Water restrictions to apply from January 1

19 December, 2019

Level 1 water restrictions will be introduced in Gunnedah Shire from January 1, 2020.

Gunnedah Shire Councillors have decided that while Gunnedah’s town water supply is still able to meet demand, it is time to step up water conservation in the face of the prolonged drought.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a good supply of quality bore water in Gunnedah,” Gunnedah Shire Acting Mayor Rob Hooke said.

“But this unprecedented drought means all of us need to look at the conservation of this most precious resource and be proactive in ensuring water is still available for our children and our children’s children.

“While Gunnedah already has permanent conservation levels, we’ve decided it’s time to step it up and implement Level 1 restrictions.”

A report to the Council meeting this week stated the drought being experienced throughout Northern NSW was having a profound effect on water supplies state-wide.

“In 2018, only 345.9 mm of rain was recorded, and up until 30 November 2019, only 276mm has been recorded, making it the driest two year period since records began 1878,” the report said.

“The current level of demand this season to date has been steadily increasing and in the week finishing December 12, 2019, has peaked at 104.8 ML for the week averaging 14.97 ML/day.”

The council report stated aquifers recover slowly and, in light of the unprecedented drought, implementing precautionary restrictions was the preferred option.

While Gunnedah Shire’s water usage charges are among the lowest for shires with between 4000 and 10,000 properties in New South Wales, residents are among the highest water users. In the 20017-18 year, 418.7kL of residential water was supplied in Gunnedah Shire, more than twice the figure in Inverell (203.77kL) and significantly more than Muswellbrook (306.48kL) and the Upper Hunter (333kL).

Level 1’s enforceable water restrictions are:

CATEGORY LEVEL 1

Residential garden and lawn watering  - Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned, except between 6-7am and 6-7pm Washing down (including vehicles) - Wash down hard/paved surfaces with high pressure hoses only Private swimming pools and spas - Permit required for filling pools over 2000 litres Public parks and gardens - Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 6 hours per day Public sports grounds - Main parks to be watered at night Bowling/golf clubs - No restriction Schools and health care premises requiring day staff for maintenance - Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 6 hours per day. Nurseries etc - No restriction Auto flush toilets - No restriction Commercial car wash - No restriction Truck wash at saleyards - No restriction Industrial use (major) - No restriction Water cartage from standpipe - No restriction Residential consumption reduction target -  5%

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.