Mines may have to close in Cobar if the region doesn’t see significant rain before Christmas, mayor Lilliane Brady OAM said.
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The town draws its water supply from the Bogan River 130 kilometres away via the Albert Priest Channel.
But low flows from Burrendong Dam, and issues with the pipeline – including the breakdown of one of its pumps – have forced Cobar Shire Council to impose strict water restrictions on residents and businesses.
Households are only permitted to use handheld hoses between 6pm and 9pm every second day, according to the odds and evens system.
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Cars may not be washed on hard surfaces.
The use of sprinklers or irrigation systems is prohibited, with Ms Brady telling the Daily Liberal on Thursday morning that those caught ignoring the restrictions would be fined.
“It’s desperate times in Cobar,” Ms Brady said.
“If it doesn’t rain by Christmas, probably some of our mines may have to close.”
“Everyone has got to help because Cobar is probably one of the best towns on earth and we’ve all got to work together to try to survive.
“We’re just not getting the rain and we need it in Burrendong.”
Ms Brady is urging surrounding towns to impose strict restrictions. She put Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields “on report” to introduce restrictions, arguing “we spend approximately $30 million every year in Dubbo”.
She acknowledged 70 per cent of Dubbo’s supply came from groundwater, not Burrendong and the Macquarie River.
In response, she said councillor Shields pledged to argue Cobar’s case during a visit to the NSW Parliament on Thursday.
She also called for further assistance from the state and federal governments to restore the pipes delivering water from Nyngan.
“Everyone’s got to work toward saving water so we can all survive,” she said.
“Let’s pray for rain.”