TRC meeting report 10th Oct 23
Here is an overview of outcomes from Tamworth Regional Councils Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 10th October 2023:
Councillors granted Development Consent to a Development Application (DA) for the Expansion of an Existing Horse Training Facility on Spains Lane in Kingswood. Councillors had previously deferred the determination of this DA to allow for further consultation with the applicant and affected residents. A report on the DA was presented to Councillors which contained an amended list of conditions of consent. Councillors were satisfied that all issues had been addressed in enough detail to warrant removal of condition 8, limiting the initial consent period to five years.
Following community consultation of the draft plans, Councillors adopted the updated Drought Management Plan and Demand Management Plan
The Demand Management Plan focuses on how we can conserve water in the future by continuing water efficiency assessments, water rebates as well as the maturing of the Community Awareness Programs through supporting Water Night, continuing seasonal media campaigns, increasing focus on non-residential water efficiency and improving accuracy of water consumption data through the installation of smart water meters in properties across the LGA. The installation of the meters is supported by the upcoming rollout of the water portal which will enable customers to understand their own water usage.
The Drought Management Plan focuses on managing our water as we head into, and during, drought. It contains the trigger levels where water restrictions will be introduced at each of the centres Council provides reticulated water to and the details of what water can and can’t be used for under each level of restriction.
Key changes include;
Permanent Water Conservation Measures which were included in the former Drought Management Plan have been replaced with Everyday Waterwise Guidelines now included in the new Demand Management Plan.
The new Everyday Waterwise Guidelines are:
- Only water the garden before 10 am or after 4 pm. This avoids watering during the hottest part of the day, when water wastage and evaporation is high.
- Trigger nozzles to be used on all handheld hoses. Trigger nozzles provide more control over water flow and reduce wastage.
- Avoid hosing down hard surfaces, such as concrete, paths and driveways. Use a broom, leaf blower, or if water is required, use a high-pressure cleaner or water efficient nozzle.
Council will no longer supply backwash water, which is a by-product of the treatment process at the Calala Water Treatment Plant to customers when Tamworth and Moonbi Kootingal move to level 4 or level 5 restrictions. Once these restrictions have been introduced backwash water will be returned to the treatment plant for retreatment. This will offset some demand for raw water and help conserve the raw water supply we have for as long as possible.
For more information, see the full reports at www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/businesspapers