Central coast water restrictions: Councillor calls for level two
With the nearby Hunter about to bring in water restrictions for the first time in 25 years, some councillors reckon we should take tough water saving action sooner rather than later.
Central Coast
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The Central Coast could skip level one water restrictions and go straight to level two if a group of councillors get their way.
The move is the handywork of outspoken councillor Greg Best, who has been backed by councillors Jilly Pilon and Bruce McLachalan.
They warned that the central coast could meet the fate of councils across the state, which are running out of water, with a drier than normal spring and summer predicted.
The trio said moving straight to level two would save 16 per cent of total water consumption, while still allowing the community to water gardens and wash vehicles.
The motion - which has been delayed until the next council meeting - said councils at Armidale, Tamworth, Orange, Tenterfield, Cobar and Bathurst could run out of water within 12 months.
The Hunter Region will go on water restrictions for the first time in 25 years from September 19, with the central coast expected to reach the 50 per cent level one water restrictions trigger about Christmas at current rates of consumption.
The motion states without significant rain, the central coast has just four years worth of water storage left.
“I have recently travelled from Brisbane to the Victorian border on leave and have taken time to witness first-hand the utter devastation that is occurring not only in our rural sector but along much of our coast,” Cr Best said in his notice of motion.
“This drought knows no bounds. It is beyond politics, it should not be second guessed or taken lightly.
“I am advocating that we show genuine leadership in managing this critical asset that we are
entrusted to by more than 300,000 central coast residents.”
Cr Best said the region used between 70 and 80 megalitres of water a year and that even if $150 million was spent on a desalination plant, it could only produce about 20 megalitres a year.
“Even with this technology the region will severely struggle,” Cr Best said.
He added the region could no longer rely on the Hunter to top up supplies via the Hunter pipeline.
“We have forecasts of catastrophic bushfire season looming, thousands of more residents have arrived since our previous drought and the Christmas tourist influx will soon be upon us,” he said.
“It is incumbent upon us to act decisively and swiftly around this developing issue.”
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