We commend the Dubbo Regional Council for its new water stance.
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It is the only sensible thing that it could do considering the water crisis we are now in.
Dubbo residents and regular visitors will see several parks and open spaces belonging to Dubbo Regional Council sacrificed to the drought because of a water crisis which is "rapidly becoming extreme", according to the council's chief executive officer Michael McMahon.
Mr McMahon said the council would be turning off the tap at sites in Dubbo and Wellington as part of its "responsibility to save water".
Many have asked why the council has not done this sooner, and why we aren't on stricter water restrictions.
These are fair questions, but we should be thankful that the penny has dropped now and the council is now taking a lead role in a new tougher and wiser water usage model.
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We will all have to get used to seeing our open spaces become "browner and drier", it may be the only way we can save enough water to keep out city functioning.
Judging by social media comment and the general word on the street, the public is mostly behind the council taking the lead with water-saving measures and most say they are keen to follow and if they haven't already, start doing the right thing with decreased or smarter water usage.
One of our readers echoed the thoughts of many when she said, "Our lawns are dead as we stopped watering at the end of last Summer."
Another agreed but was not about to let the drought defeat his want for a presentable lawn.
"I was the same (stopped watering my lawn), but mine will be very green soon as I have hooked a hose up to the washing machine to water the gardens."
It is rare to get the majority of the public behind any council when they make a move like this.
That is why our council should capitalise on the goodwill of the public and get on with bringing in stricter restrictions to balance its new water-wise policy.
No Dubbo resident in their right mind would oppose it.
Experts say there is a possibility Burrendong Dam will run dry by mid-2020.
That's eight months away, not a long time to remedy our dire situation, but the council is being proactive now, and it is better late than never.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
