Water restrictions currently in place in Guyra will be raised to the next level due to the lack of significant rainfall in the catchment. The Guyra Dam is currently at 68% due to lower than normal spring rainfalls which, combined with record high temperatures, means that dam levels have continued to fall.
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From December 1 external sprinklers and fixed hoses will be prohibited and the use of hand held hoses will be restricted to two hours per day between 6pm and 8pm. Unless significant rain falls, it is likely the restrictions will remain in place throughout the summer months.
Guyra is not alone, with neighbouring council’s also looking to save water. In Glen Innes sprinklers are banned, with hand held hoses restricted to one hour per day, and washing of vehicles is by buckets only. In Tamworth residents are now limited to buckets with the use of all hoses and sprinklers banned. Armidale Dumaresq Council has issued a plea to residents to start conserving water with Malpas Dam currently at 63 %, its lowest level since 1995.
Guyra Shire Council is continuing to explore options to secure the Guyra town water supply into the future. A Secure Yield Study of the existing town water supply catchment and dam system was carried out earlier in the year. It highlighted the options of raising the Guyra Dam wall, building an off-stream storage or piping water from Malpas Dam during dry times.
It is now seeking funding for a detailed study which will look at the option of a pipeline from Malpas Dam.
General Manager Peter Stewart has sought to clarify that although the study will look at this option, Council has not reached a decision and all three options are still under consideration. These options will also be investigated if other funding opportunities arise.