Water restrictions support on way for key groups
Date published: 22 June 2016
The Townsville City Council will provide greater flexibility for sporting clubs, nurseries and the landscaping industry during tighter Level 3 water restrictions.
Council’s Water and Waste Committee has endorsed amendments to the Water Restriction Policy that provide exemptions for target areas in the community.
Committee chairman Cr Paul Jacob said the policy amendments were in response to feedback from sporting cubs and industry groups.
“The changes show that the council is listening to what the community is saying and recognising what works with the water restrictions policy and what can be done better,” Cr Jacob said.
“These amendments will benefit the many thousands of families who play sport, and the key businesses that rely heavily on water for their day to day operations.
“We want to make sure that the policy is adequately restricting water use, but providing the flexibility to ensure we are supporting jobs, and sporting and recreational opportunities for our community.
“It’s also important to provide certainty for people before the Level 3 restrictions come in.”
The changes include:
* developing Water Efficiency Management Plans with sporting groups that balance safety with water use; and provision to apply exemptions to restrictions where prudent;
* continue the two week exemption for the establishment of lawns on new residential homes;
* exemptions for registered commercial nurseries.
The recommended amendments to the policy will go to the full council on June 28.
Cr Jacob said the council would continue to work with local sporting groups to develop the water efficiency plans through a special working group.
The council will also continue to liaise with nurseries and the landscaping industry on the policy changes.
