Level three water restrictions impact Council facilities

WetSide Water Park will have reduced hours while high profile parks and gardens in Hervey Bay will be maintained through controlled water efficient irrigation systems under level three water restrictions.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said Council properties and facilities would be impacted by level three water restrictions taking effect in the Hervey Bay water supply network from 8 November 2021, with the installation of new gardens to be deferred where practicable.

“Council works hard to limit our water use while still ensuring we properly maintain our parks, gardens, and sporting and recreation facilities,” he said.

“We recognise that there are significant economic, social and environmental benefits to maintaining high profile, high usage parks and local environmentally significant facilities.

“As such, Council will use controlled water efficient irrigation systems with rain sensors for up to 30 minutes a day per irrigation station at the Orchid House, the Botanic Gardens, Seafront Oval and key parks in Urangan, Torquay, Scarness, Pialba and Burrum Heads.

“Watering systems in other parks in the Hervey Bay water supply network will be turned off as part of Council’s water saving measures.

“The fields at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct are irrigated with recycled water and the backwash water from the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre is used to irrigate the football fields in Tavistock Street.

“WetSide’s hours outside of school holidays will be reduced on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to between 1pm and 5pm, while SplashSide will not be affected as Maryborough will remain on level two water restrictions.

“It should be noted that the water used at WetSide and SplashSide is taken from a closed reuse system – the water that flows through the facilities is collected, treated, filtered and reused.”

Cr Seymour said Council officers would be monitoring water use and responding to complaints, with residents and businesses to receive warnings initially before fines could be imposed.

“We know this is a big change and we want to educate the community about the new restrictions, but fines will be imposed for people who continue to do the wrong thing after being warned,” he said.

Level three water restrictions, which will come into effect in Hervey Bay and the surrounding areas stretching from Burrum Heads and Howard across to River Heads from 8 November 2021, include:

• Hand-held hoses are permitted between 5pm and 6pm to water established gardens at even numbered properties on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and odd numbered properties on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, but must have a water efficient nozzle;
• Irrigation systems (sprinklers, drippers, soaker hoses) are banned and watering established lawns with town water is not permitted;
• Washing windows and external walls, and cleaning paved or concrete surfaces, is only allowed with buckets. Commercial cleaning businesses can use high pressure cleaners;
• Boat motor and trailing flushing is permitted at any time for a maximum of five minutes at a low water flow;
• Filling swimming pools, spas and water features is permitted with buckets at any time and with hand-held hoses before 8am or after 5pm to maintain minimum operating levels; and
• Washing cars, boats and pets can only be done with a bucket. Children’s play pools, toys and water slides cannot be used.

Level Two water restrictions, which will continue to apply in Maryborough, include:

• Hand held hoses are permitted between 6pm and 8am but must have a water efficient trigger nozzle;
• Irrigation systems (sprinklers, drippers, soaker hoses) are permitted on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 6pm and 8am only;
• Washing windows and cleaning paved or concrete surfaces, external walls or public facilities is permitted at any time but only with a water efficient, high pressure device (eg gerni);
• Boat motor and trailer flushing is permitted at any time for a maximum of five minutes at a low water flow;
• Filling of swimming pools, spas and water features is only permitted between 6pm and 8am and must be monitored at all times; and
• Vehicle and boat cleaning is permitted at any time with handheld hoses (fitted with a water efficient trigger nozzle).

Full details of all water restrictions, including how level three water restrictions apply at homes, businesses and Council facilities, is available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/water-restrictions