Restrictions raise questions about fairness

The Gore township may operate under new water restrictions as the council prepares for climate change but a resident says the rules must be fair for everyone.

The Gore District Council expects intense weather to be more common and established a Water Taskforce.

The council received 53 submissions to its Water Supply Bylaw amendment and a hearing was held yesterday.

Only two residents spoke to their submissions about the proposed new water restrictions, and both were critical of the fact that changes could be implemented when only a small number of the town’s population had had their say.

If adopted, there would be five stages of water restrictions, with different restrictions for residential use, commercial and industrial activities, schools and sports clubs and council activities.

Submitters Terry and Jenny McNamara told the hearing committee of councillors Doug Grant, chairman Ralph Beale and Glenys Dickson that they had installed a rainwater tank on their property to conserve water for their vegetable gardens.

The Water Taskforce is looking at making rainwater capture systems mandatory for new homes and businesses.

Terry McNamara said they had used the water during the drought last year but found the 2000 litre tank was not enough and used the water sparingly.

McNamara said the real consideration of water restrictions could not be done without looking at how much agricultural, commercial and industrial water use may impinge on residents’ rights to basic water needs.

The council needed to take immediate action to fix the water reticulation system to stop leakage, upgrade water treatment facilities, and search for new water sources, he said.

‘‘This spending cannot be deferred. Future citizens deserve a good water supply as much as current ones.

‘‘Climate change is real and a plentiful supply is not a given. To date, restriction only applied to residents. No restrictions have been applied to commercial and industrial activities, or the activities of the council itself. This is neither fair nor equitable. ‘‘Equity requires that water conservation be adopted by all sectors, not just residents.’’

Gore resident Peter Kempthorne said residents’ apathy around water, and water restrictions, was why the council only received 53 submissions about the proposed changes.

‘‘Most people pay rates and so expect water.’’

The proposed new restrictions were ‘‘a good start but a bit complicated,’’ and questioned why the penalties for breaching the restrictions had not been included in the consultation documents, Kempthorne said.

‘‘It’s got no teeth. You’re on track, but where’s the penalties? Is the dog ranger going to start policing car washing? Make it simple and start enforcing it.’’

Council regulatory and planning manager Ian Davidson-Watts said the penalties for breaching the new restrictions were ‘‘not part of this specific consultation.’’

A report that summarises the submissions says there is support to the overall approach to water restrictions, with more than two thirds of respondents expressing explicit support for the approach.

Gore resident Peter Kempthorne