Activation of Level 1 water restrictions brought forward to help preserve region’s supply.
Rous County Council (Rous) advises Level 1 water restrictions will now be activated when Rocky Creek Dam reaches 70 per cent instead of 60 per cent (as stated in the Regional Water Supply Drought Management Plan) to help preserve the region’s water supply.
This amendment was agreed upon at the ordinary Council meeting on 18 October 2023.
Water levels at Rous’s primary water source, Rocky Creek Dam, have steadily dropped due to low inflows and an overall increase in water use in the region. The dam is currently at 82 per cent capacity.
Rous proposed to bring the activation of water restrictions forward in response to the Bureau of Meteorology declaring an El Nino and the pressure this weather event is expected to place on the region’s water sources, according to Phillip Rudd, General Manager, Rous County Council.
“The climate model outlooks indicate that the El Nino is likely to continue until at least the end of the southern hemisphere summer 2023–24,” Phillip Rudd said.
“In partnership with our constituent councils, we have decided to activate water restrictions sooner than originally planned to help sustain our region’s water supply for longer and delay the onset of more severe restrictions.
“We anticipate Level 1 water restrictions will be activated before Christmas. This is based on current consumption rates, the weather forecast and our modelling data that determines the predicted depletion rate of our supply.
“With a dry summer coming up very soon, it is important that as a community we are all mindful of our water use so we can save our supply for as long as possible.”
Level 1 water restrictions will apply to the council areas of Ballina, Byron (excluding Mullumbimby), Lismore (excluding Nimbin), and Richmond Valley.
