A local farmer, irrigating their paddocks last night, had their equipment sabotaged in a suspected attempt to reduce the amount of water being taken from the river.
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The Bellingen Shire is under Level 3 water restrictions. While these do not impact on those who have irrigation licences, if the flow of the river is at or below 16mL/day, these entitlements will cease.
Today at Thora the water flow is 63ML and thus those irrigating are within their legal rights to supply water to their land or crops.
Last weekend the flow of the Bellinger River at Thora did drop to 16ML. However, it climbed during the week, peaking on Friday (yesterday) at 97ML, before dropping to today’s level.
While acknowledging the river is at near unprecedented lows, at least insofar as the records go, the vigilante nature of someone has concerned and angered the farmer.
“My son got up at 4am and he heard it working, but near 7am someone had turned the irrigator off,” the property owner said.
“They turned the tap off, and the pump was roaring … it was incredible the machine did not burn out.
“To replace a pump means thousands of dollars.”
The farmer said whoever had tinkered with their equipment must have either paddled down the river, or walked along the riverbank.
“Look we we are in a drought, the grass is dying ... we are just trying to keep our paddocks with a bit of green pick – just to keep our cattle alive,” they said.
“We do supplement, but it is unviable to feed all our stock by this means.
“We are watering the grass the – just for feed – the grass is not growing … up Thora they had a bit of rain, but we haven't.
“It annoys me, we are doing the right things. Our cattle are fenced off from the river, they are not damaging the river banks or contaminating the water.
“We try to irrigate at night, and limit during the day. We would like people to know it is important to pump for livestock.”
For daily water levels, go to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
Council: DON’T IGNORE OUR WATER RESTRICTIONS
It has been widely reported that Level 3 Water Restrictions are in place for residents receiving a Town Water Supply in the Bellingen Shire. Apart from being a requirement of the council’s Water Extraction Licence it is essential that the council takes all reasonable steps to manage water usage during these dry times.
Level 3 water restrictions are:
- No irrigation permitted (no micro-sprays, drippers/sub surface watering). Those with irrigation licence excluded.
- Use of buckets any time, hand watering will be 10 minutes every second day between the hours of 4pm and 9am on alternate days, odd and even numbered days matching house numbers.
- No washing of houses or driveways.
- No filling of pools.
- Vehicles must be washed with a bucket.
Disappointingly water consumption data has shown that residents are using more water since the restrictions were imposed with consumption increasing by 6.3ML (million) in the past month and 17.5ML from September.
The average water consumption for November increased from 85ML to 100mL which is disturbing given that the normal average of 85ML for the month is an unrestricted average.
Council’s Deputy General Manager Operations, Matt Fanning said: “Water is not a limitless resource and with the river levels below those in 1982 it is quite alarming. To reinforce the message to our community and inform visitors, signs are in the process of being installed at the entrance to the towns of Urunga, Bellingen and Dorrigo indicating the current level of restriction”.
“Bellingen Shire rangers will be patrolling residential areas to ensure that residents are complying with the restrictions. Should you notice water being wasted, people using sprinklers or find a leak please contact the Council so we can investigate.
“It is extremely important that the consumption decrease over the next week.
“Given the circumstances and noting current weather patterns, unless there is a marked reduction in water usage Council will have no choice but to introduce Level 4 restrictions banning all outdoor use of water.”
Under Section 637 of the Local Government Act ‘A person who wilfully or negligently wastes or misuses water from a public water supply, or causes any such water to be wasted, is guilty of an offence” and that Council can impose a fine of $220 and insert flow restrictors into residents meters’.
A Water Restrictions Table outlining what is permitted in all levels of water restriction can be found on Council’s website at www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au
For further information contact Council on 6655 7300.
