Level 4 water restrictions - Frequently asked questions
Yes, however, if your tank is connected to town water with automatic refill, then you are not permitted to use the tank.
No refilling of tanks using hoses is permitted.
The Tomato Farm has cut back use of town water by 60% already and Council is working closely with the business to minimise water use until the Malpas/Guyra pipeline is commissioned. To safeguard the 450 jobs held by the Tomato Farm, Council has been in close consultation in order to manage the situation.
The new Tomato Farm uses minimal town water and is virtually self sufficient.
No, exemptions will not be granted.
No. All outdoor watering is banned during Level 4 restrictions unless specific application and exemption is approved.
No outside water usage is permitted and fines may apply.
Only using buckets for windscreen, windows, number plates and mirrors only for safety reasons. Washing must not be done during 9am – 4pm to avoid the heat of the day.
No outside water usage is permitted and fines may apply.
For businesses all components of the form must be filled out. The more information provided by the businesses surrounding its proposed water saving actions will assist Council in its assessment.
No application is required.
Yes, people have been fined and cautioned, however, Council have found that most of the community has been receptive to the water restrictions
All outdoor watering is banned during Level 4 restrictions and fines may apply. The use of laundry grey water and other recycled water using buckets and cans is permitted at the discretion of property owners.
Patrols are being conducted in both Guyra and Armidale.
On-the-spot fines of $220 for individuals and up to $2,200 for businesses who are caught breaching water restriction rules.
Penalty Infringement Notices are either issued on-the-spot or posted to the offender. Payment and reviewing options are clearly printed on the reverse side of the Notice (i.e. once a Penalty Notice is issued all requests must be directed to Revenue NSW).
Repeat offenders will be fined and prosecuted under Section 637 of the Local Government Act and may face installation of flow restrictors in their water connection should they continue to offend.
Yes, if any external use is occurring e.g. stock, nursery etc. If in doubt submit a water restrictions exemption application form complete with a water saving action plan for consideration by Council.
Council is reviewing all exemptions made under Level 3 water restrictions, under Level 4 Council may be in contact with you to discuss further water saving measures.
Please be prepared to provide your water exemption letters to Council Enforcement Rangers who may need further verification of your exempt status.
Yes, subject to approval of an exemption which will be assessed on its merits.
Prepare a water saving action plan and submit with an exemption application.
Yes anyone can apply for exemptions and each application will be judged on individual merits.
Council has maintained limited irrigation of four sporting fields to ensure safety of players. Irrigation of other parks and gardens has ceased. Some of Council sports fields are watered with bore water which is not subject to restrictions.
Yes, daily. The Tomato Farm is working cooperatively with Council to minimise water usage.
Council will shortly be installing credit card operated water filling stations where customers will be able to purchase water.
More information will be provided when the filling stations are installed.
Report it. You can report water restriction breaches by contacting Council on 1300 136 833 or via the website. Council will then investigate the matter further.
The owner should prepare a water saving action plan and submit with an exemption application for consideration.
A water saving action plan is an undertaking by a business to reduce their water consumption. A water saving action plan template is available on Council’s website.
Council will be assisting businesses with free water audits to identify water saving opportunities.
Council is working closely with all high water users in both Armidale and Guyra to reduce their water usage.
Subject to State Government funding support, water carting of town water will commence in early June. Carting water to Guyra will enable remaining water in the Guyra Dams to be preserved until the new pipeline from Malpas Dam is finished.
Level 4 Water Restrictions started on Monday 20 May 2019. This restriction will be in force until further notice.
Using water is essential for car wash businesses to remain viable.
Council is working directly with owners of all car washing businesses to encourage water conservation and to highlight the need for efficient use of water for car owners who choose to wash their cars.
Puddledock Dam is an operational backup town water supply which council uses if supply from Malpas dam must be interrupted for short periods of time. Also Puddledock dam has no public access and similarly, Gara Dam has no public access.
Council will consider applications to draw water from Dumaresq Dam including considerations of logistics and safety.
No. Gardens should be designed or maintained knowing that Armidale has a variable climate, meaning the amounts of rainfall we receive can change over long cycles. Residents' expectations of access to town water supplies to maintain gardens should be envisaged directly with this climate variability.