ST GEORGE TO GO TO LEVEL 3 WATER RESTRICTIONS
Level 3 Water Restrictions will come into effect on 1 November 2023, as Council’s remaining river water allocation in the St George scheme is about to drop below 1,000 megalitres. The aim of these Level 3 Water Restrictions is to prolong our remaining allocation of river water for St George.
NO warning notices will be provided and Level 3 Water Restrictions will be enforced with on-the-spot fines of 3 penalty units ($464.40) for residential properties and 15 penalty units ($2322.00) for businesses that breach water restrictions.
Council, as a water user, will also be reducing the watering of green spaces including parks and gardens in line with other water users.
At this stage, it is anticipated that Level 4 Water Restrictions will come into effect around mid-December 2023, which involves a complete sprinkling ban.
Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole said the commencement of Level 3 Water Restrictions was an important step to prolong our river water supply in St George for as long as possible.
“It was not that long ago that Beardmore Dam was brimming with water, but now it is set to continue dropping below 9% capacity,” Mayor O’Toole said.
“Unfortunately, the current high rate of river water consumption is not helping the situation, as it is bringing on more stringent water restrictions sooner than would otherwise be necessary.
“At this rate, we will soon be staring down the barrel of Level 4 and a complete sprinkler ban far sooner than we need to.
“The more we all work together to limit our outdoor water use, the longer we can delay the need for more stringent restriction levels.
“Water is a precious resource for our Shire and the more we can all do to practise waterwise tips with our outdoor water use the longer that water resource will last us.
“Over recent months, we have been undertaking an online public awareness campaign to raise awareness around the need for all of us to conserve river water use wherever possible.
“We are urging people in St George to do what they can to be waterwise with outdoor water use, so that we can preserve our precious river water for as long as possible.”
St George’s Town (bore) Water supply, which is used for indoor household use will not be impacted by these restrictions.
For more information on current Water Restrictions and Waterwise tips go to:
https://www.balonne.qld.gov.au/community/environment-water-and-waste
For more information:
Josh Euler - Corporate Communications Manager
Balonne Shire Council
0423 786 672
josh.euler@balonne.qld.gov.au