A COUNCILLOR claims the need to display water restriction exemption signs in a “visible position” on homes poses a safety risk to frail residents.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillor Juanita Wilson is calling on Tamworth Regional Council to drop the condition from its exemption policy to protect the elderly and infirm.
Residents incapable of hoisting buckets to water their gardens during Level 3 restrictions are able to apply to council for a permit to use hand-held hoses.
Since Level 3 restrictions were enacted in November, more than 500 homeowners have successfully applied to council for the exemptions.
The signs, which council’s policy mandates “must be displayed on the property in a visible position at all times”, are designed to assist with compliance.
However Cr Wilson, who sits on the crime prevention committee, said she had a “real issue” forcing residents to advertise their physical limitations.
“Immediately, it’s making that household a vulnerable household,” she said.
“Anyone with an alternative motive can walk past and ... know there’s going to be no one in there physcially fit to challenge (them).”
Cr Wilson’s concerns were echoed at last Tuesday night’s meeting by Cr Tim Coates, as well as a number of respondents on The Leader’s Facebook page.
“The thieves will target them for sure,” said Robyn Ridgewell- Matthews. “They don’t care who they are, sadly, as long as it’s an easy target.”
Cr Wilson’s proposal to allow all residents restricted use of hand-held hoses, instead of buckets,
during Level 3 restrictions was defeated.
However, the suggestion will be examined in detail – along with a raft of other ideas – when council’s drought management plan is reviewed in the coming months.
Tamworth resident Reg Roberts, 71, told the council that he had conducted his own experiment and found hoses were more efficient than buckets.
“I think it’s rather ridiculous we’re being expected to use this bucket system when it’s using more water and I would like to see it totally removed,” he said.
Council’s water department maintains the use of hoses for a limited time each day “will result in increased consumption”, but the “amount of any increase is unknown”.