Keep up search for solution

SATURDAY’S easing of water restrictions will cause a flurry of debate among passionate residents.

Since the downpour of two weeks ago filled Ross River Dam, which supplies Townsville with water, from 15 per cent to 87 per cent, speculation was rife as to how Townsville City Council would respond.

When an unusual low pressure weather system hit the catchment, it brought massive falls in which some areas were drenched with up to 700mm of rain over the week.

Immediately after the rain event, some residents and farmers begged council to ease the restrictions from Level 3.

Ross River Dam is now filled with 202,808ML of water.

Yesterday, the council conservatively lowered the restrictions from Level 3 to Level 2, adding some extra allowances.

The local authority was always going to be criticised either way.

Some argued the restrictions shouldn’t have been eased while others said the council didn’t go far enough.

The council can only make decisions based on the available information and officers were advised, looking at longrange weather forecast as well estimated water use, that it would be unwise to lower the restrictions to Level 1.

Keeping residents happy and supply at a safe level is a tough balancing act and time will tell whether or not it was the right decision to make.

But more important than changing restriction levels this weekend is to ensure a little bit of rain doesn’t allow us to lose sight of the big picture – just two weeks ago our city didn’t have much water and we were fully focused on finding a number of solutions to this issue.

Local residents along with the local authority need to continue to remind State and Federal governments that this is an ongoing issue that isn’t solved by one wet season.

We need a long- term fix that doesn’t rely on a lucky escape courtesy of the whims of Mother Nature.