Water restrictions and proposed development
The bad news about the lack of water is hard to ignore. Signs on doors remind us to save water, while articles remind us that residents are still using far too much water. In the face of this increasingly grave situation, how is council allowing hundreds of new home sites to be developed in the town limits?
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I refer to new land releases on Cooke's Hill, South Armidale (St. Patrick's Estate), Kelly's Plains Road, and the remaining lots in the Foothills. In most of these new subdivisions, town water will supply the new dwellings.
I have trouble taking the calls to limit water consumption seriously when I see another 'For Sale' sign on a formerly beautiful paddock, heralding another new development.
Not only has Armidale's population not increased (so who is going to buy these new houses), but it seems that the increased drain on a limited, and finite, town water supply, has not been considered.
Surely new development should be reconsidered in the face of what promises to be new climate challenges in Armidale. How does council plan to deal with this situation?
Melanie Fillios,
Armidale
Water issues
I am feeling worn-down by being constantly lectured to by senior representatives of Armidale Regional Council for the supposedly irresponsible way Armidale people use our water because, we are told, we are not used to having 'drought situations'.
We all know that we are experiencing a shocking drought, however, is the excessive water consumption really all our fault? In March this year, Armidale went onto water restrictions for the first time since Malpas Dam's existence, however, after confusing messages from council, Armidale has gone from Level 1 restrictions in March this year to Level 6 now (Armidale Dumaresq Council Drought Management Plan 2005).
The Guyra storage dam and Malpas Dam are on the same water catchment and Malpas Dam hasn't been getting an overflow from the Guyra dam for quite some time so its level has been dropping and is down to 48% capacity.
Guyra dam's water is no longer treatable so potable water is being carted daily from Armidale to Guyra, and whilst it's inconceivable to allow Guyra to run out of water, questions have to be asked as to why this has happened.
Could past planning decisions by former councils have something to do with it? We want and need business and industry for employment and growth, however, there needs to be considered decision-making by councils on development applications and water allocations, whether for residential, business or industrial development.
A full version of this letter will be available on the Armidale Regional Ratepayer's Association Facebook page.
Rob Richardson,
Armidale
Chinese whispers
Very, very brave of your paper printing this story. Not to sure if ASIO or the ICAC will look into Tamworth Regional Council or even if Foreign Investment Review Board will take any serious note of it either.
Just another weekend story to excite the masses and be dead in the water by Monday.
Hmmm, thinking that there will be no comments printed either, Tamworth Regional Council is untouchable and don't see any one resigning or losing their job (or any sleep either) over this story.
Much thanks to michaelwest.com.au for bringing the story to light.
Andre Fritze,
Tamworth
