Water restrictions eased but rules and fines still apply
EXTREME WEATHER
Thanks to recent heavy rainfall, Douglas Shire Council has wound water restrictions in the region back from level three to level two.
Mayor Julia Leu said the recent rain has been welcome and in the face of more rain predicted, council are confident in winding back the restrictions.
She did warn, however, that level two restrictions mean residents and businesses need to continue to limit water use.
“This is a great relief for us,” she said.
“Port Douglas has seen falls of more than 200mm in the past two days, which has certainly injected a green spark into the area, and our catchments have been really drenched.
“Residents and businesses are asked to continue being water wise to keep our intakes at a steady level.”
Residents and businesses are still prohibited from using sprinklers but residents can again use a hand-held trigger or twist nozzle hose from 6.00am to 9.00am and 6.00pm to 9.00pm on alternate days.
Douglas Shire Council imposed level thee water restrictions at the end of November for the first time in the region’s history.
RULES FOR LEVEL TWO WATER RESTRICTIONS
Watering is ONLY allowed between 6am to 9am and 6pm to 9pm on alternate days.
“Alternate days” means your designated days of water use:
- NO watering is permitted on Mondays.
- ODD numbered properties can water on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday.
- EVEN numbered properties can water on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday.
- Properties without a number can water on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday.
All residents and businesses may:
- Use hand-held trigger or twist nozzle hose
- Water using a can or bucket
- Use Irrigation systems (gardens only)
- Clean boats/vehicles with hand-held trigger or twist nozzle only on grassed areas where possible, water to be kept to a minimum
All residents and businesses may NOT:
- Water on Mondays
- Use sprinklers* on grassed/garden areas
- Use irrigation systems on lawns
- Use of pressure cleaners**
- Water usage – other**
*Sprinkler definition – shall mean a pipe or hose system and nozzle, soaker hose or similar
device used to distribute, sprinkle or spray water in any manner other than by a hand held
hose, excluding micro-spray and drip systems, misting systems used in the commercial
propagation of seeds or used in commercial poultry industry.
**Exemptions are required for these activities, visit our website to apply.
On the spot fines (Penalty Infringement Notices) of $391 for Residential Customers and $1958 for Non-Residential Customers apply for noncompliance of restrictions.
Join the conversation
Thumb up or thumb down on the subject we've covered OR
place a comment below.
* Readers are encouraged to use their full details below to ensure comment legitimacy. Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport or its staff. Comments containing unlawful, obscene, defamatory, personal or abusive material will not be published.
